Latest news with #germs
CNET
7 hours ago
- Health
- CNET
This Everyday Item Is Filthier Than a Toilet Seat and You're Probably Holding It Right Now
Your phone goes everywhere with you, and might just be in your hands as you read this, but it likely never gets the cleaning it desperately needs. From work meetings to gym sessions and even bathroom breaks, your device touches a lot of surfaces -- and picks up a lot of germs along the way. In fact, studies show the average smartphone is often dirtier than a public toilet seat, collecting bacteria and viruses through daily use. If you're not disinfecting your phone regularly, all that grime sticks around, transferring to your hands, face and anything else you touch. The good news? You don't need fancy tools or harsh chemicals to get it clean. With the right cloth, a safe cleaning solution and just a few seconds of care, you can wipe away the germs without damaging your screen or hardware. Here's how to do it right. The Federal Communications Commission suggests disinfecting your phone daily, but not all cleaning methods are safe. Harsh chemicals and abrasive materials can damage protective coatings and potentially harm your screen. To keep your phone both clean and intact, it's crucial to use the right cleaning techniques. We'll guide you through the best methods and products for keeping your device germ-free, from iPhones to Samsungs, and whatever their level of water resistance may be. For more cleaning tips, here's how to clean wireless earbuds and AirPods. What are the best products for daily cleaning? After touching surfaces that see a lot of action from the public -- such as door handles, seats on public transportation, grocery carts and gas pumps -- you might think you need a heavy-duty cleaning agent to use on your phone. However, you should avoid rubbing alcohol or products made of straight alcohol, since they can damage the protective coatings that prevent oil and water from harming your screen. Some suggest making your own alcohol-water mix, but getting the concentration wrong can damage your phone. The safest option is using disinfectant wipes with 70% isopropyl alcohol. For daily cleaning, consider a UV light product like PhoneSoap, which kills 99.99% of germs and bacteria. We can also turn to phone manufacturers and cell service companies for guidance, too. Apple now approves using Clorox Wipes and similar disinfectants, which was not recommended before the pandemic since they were thought to be too abrasive on the screen's coating. AT&T advises spraying a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution on a soft, lint-free cloth and wiping your device down. Samsung also recommends using a 70% alcohol solution with a microfiber cloth. Always make sure your phone is powered off before cleaning it. What are the best methods for removing fingerprints, sand and makeup? Sometimes your phone needs a more specific treatment when washing up. The recommended process for daily cleaning may not be enough to remove pesky grains of sand after a beach vacation or tough foundation stains. Get rid of fingerprints Fingerprint smudges are inevitable since your skin produces oils. Every time you pick up your phone, your screen will get fingerprints. The safest way to make your screen print-free is with a microfiber cloth. For a deeper clean, dampen the cloth with distilled water (never apply water directly to the screen) and wipe down the surface. This works for the back and sides of your phone as well. Alternatively, try a microfiber screen cleaner sticker that sticks to the back of your phone for easy wiping. Remove sand and small particles Grains of sand and lint can easily get stuck in your phone's ports and crevices. To remove it, we recommend you use Scotch tape. Press it along the creases and speaker, then roll it up and gently insert it into the ports. The tape will pull out any debris. You can then just simply throw away the tape for easy cleanup. For smaller speaker holes, use a toothpick gently or a small vacuum crevice tool to suck out the debris. These tools work well for other small appliances or hard-to-reach areas in your car too. Sand and small particles can be tricky to remove. A piece of tape should do the trick. MartenBG/Getty Images Cleanse makeup off your phone screen When you wear makeup and skin care products, such as foundation and moisturizers, you'll leave residue on your phone screen. While makeup remover works for your face, it's not safe for screens due to potentially harmful chemicals. Instead, try a screen-safe makeup remover like Whoosh, which is alcohol-free and gentle on all screens. Alternatively, use a damp microfiber cloth to clean your phone, then wash the cloth afterward. Make sure your cloth is only slightly wet to avoid soaking your phone in water. What if my phone is waterproof? For waterproof phones (IP67 and above), it's best to clean the device with a damp cloth instead of submerging or running it under water -- even if the phone advertises that it can withstand submersion for a certain amount of time. Afterward, dry your phone with a soft cloth, ensuring all ports and speakers are patted dry. While your phone can withstand water, submerging it can lead to water in the ports, delaying charging. Remember, water resistance is meant for accidents, not swimming or regular cleaning. Fingerprint smudges on your phone are inevitable since your skin produces oils that rub off on the to avoid when cleaning your phone We've already covered why you should avoid makeup remover and rubbing alcohol, but those aren't a comprehensive list of harmful cleaning agents. Here are a few other items and products you should never use to clean your phone: Hand sanitizer: Fragrances and ethyl alcohol found in many sanitizers can harm your phone. Fragrances and ethyl alcohol found in many sanitizers can harm your phone. Window or kitchen cleaners: Harsh cleaners can strip the protective coating on your phone and leave it more vulnerable to scratches. Harsh cleaners can strip the protective coating on your phone and leave it more vulnerable to scratches. Paper towels: Paper can shred, making the debris on your phone much worse, and the rough texture can leave scratches on your screen. Paper can shred, making the debris on your phone much worse, and the rough texture can leave scratches on your screen. Dish and hand soap: Most soaps require you to combine them with water, and since you should keep water away from your phone, it's best to stick to a damp cloth. Most soaps require you to combine them with water, and since you should keep water away from your phone, it's best to stick to a damp cloth. Vinegar: Like cleaners and alcohols, vinegar will strip your phone screen's coating. Like cleaners and alcohols, vinegar will strip your phone screen's coating. Compressed air: Blowing intense and direct air into your phone's portals can cause damage, especially to your mic. Apple specifically warns iPhone owners not to use compressed air. For more cleaning tips, explore how to clean your Apple Watch.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
These Are the Dirtiest Parts of a Hotel Room, According to Housekeeping
Here's what to avoid next time you check Points Hotel rooms, even the nicest luxury digs, often look squeaky clean—but some areas of your room may be cleaner than others. High-touch surfaces like phones, remotes, light switches, and carpets can harbor germs. Oft-overlooked items such as barware, ceiling fixtures, and bathtubs may be overlooked during standard housekeeping you check into a hotel room, the crisp linens and sparkling bathroom might give a false sense of cleanliness. However, seasoned travelers and hospitality professionals know that some of the dirtiest places in hotel rooms are often hidden in plain sight. Between high turnover rates and limited staff, there's often not enough time in the day to deep clean every room every day. Enza Laterrenia, head of housekeeping at Canne Bianche Lifestyle & Hotel, explains that under standard conditions, a room is cleaned by a housekeeping pair in about 30 minutes, highlighting the time pressure housekeeping teams often face. Decorative Pillows Maria Diego, a Travel + Leisure A-List advisor and a self-proclaimed germaphobe, says she always takes action immediately when she gets to her room. 'Having worked in hotels, the first thing I fling off to a far corner of the room are decorative pillows and any decorative runner that goes along the foot of the bed," she says. "These never get washed." Laterrenia agrees, noting that many hotels wash their decorative elements infrequently. High-touch Surfaces For travel advisor and coach Rani Cheema, hotel room phones are the most unsanitary items. "If there's an actual phone and I need to pick it up, I am grossed out by the receiver,' Cheema says. 'I think it's ... the mouth part, because no one's cleaning that." From a housekeeping perspective, carpets are another culprit. "They tend to trap dust and bacteria, making them one of the more demanding items to sanitize," Laterrenia says. Cheema, however, notes that many higher-end properties are adapting. "There are a lot of five-star hotels that no longer have carpeting, so it's hardwood floors or an area rug, and that's about it," she says. Even in luxury hotels, though, thoroughness has its limits. 'At higher-end hotels, major touch points like switches, remote control, phones, get a wipe before every check-in, but I'm still cautious about these spots,' Diego says. Hidden Contamination Spots Some of the most overlooked surfaces are the ones tucked away. 'I'm also wary of barware inside drawers or cabinetry, anything that might be sitting for prolonged periods or handled by guests unbeknownst to housekeeping teams,' Diego says. She's also particular about the bathroom. 'I also won't take a bath in a hotel unless it's a super luxe five-star hotel, and only if it's a non-jet bathtub," she says." Laterrenia reveals that certain areas are often overlooked during standard hotel cleanings. "Hard-to-reach spots—such as high ceilings, chandeliers, ceiling fans, curtain rods, and shower heads—are often neglected.' So next time you check into a hotel, toss the decorative pillows and bed runners to the side, wipe down the high-touch surfaces, and be selective about using the tub. When in doubt, it doesn't hurt to do a quick clean of your own. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Solve the daily Crossword
CNET
4 days ago
- Health
- CNET
Fresh or Filthy? Proper Bath Towel Hygiene
Keeping up with all your chores does more than leave a clean living space. It can also help your health and your peace of mind. Your bathroom should be a high priority, but there are still things you might miss after scrubbing the tub. Even though your bathroom towels may look clean, they could be holding massive amounts of bacteria and germs. Here's everything to know about how often you should wash your bath towels to keep them in tip-top shape. Plus, the best temperature for getting them the cleanest. Why do you need to clean your bath towels so often? When you dry off with towels, they get moist. This porous, damp environment is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. A common bath towel can have yeast, mold and E. coli growing on it without you ever knowing it. Gross, right? Regular washing prevents bacteria from growing. LG's WashTower functions as one combined washer and dryer unit. LG When should you reuse or wash bathroom towels? Consumer Reports says that under normal circumstances, a towel can be used three or four times before it needs to be washed. That's "times" not "days." If you have many family members using a towel (like hand towels), it needs to be washed on the third or fourth use. The condition of the person using the towel matters, too. If they're sick, toss it in the laundry after one use. If it's flu season, it's best for every family member to have their own towel -- even if they aren't exhibiting symptoms -- to prevent the potential spread of germs. How often you wash towels also depends on how they're dried after usage. If towels find themselves on the floor, the lack of air circulation will cause bacteria to grow quickly. To prolong the life of your towel, be sure to place damp towels on a towel rack. Better yet, crack open a window or turn on the fan to reduce moisture in the room. Supercharge your dryer by cleaning its vent Supercharge your dryer by cleaning its vent Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 1:37 Loaded : 24.52% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 1:37 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Supercharge your dryer by cleaning its vent What temperature is best for washing bath towels? The Infection Control department of Mid-Western Regional Hospital of Ennis, Ireland, recommends washing towels in water that is at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) or more to kill bacteria. So if you have a sanitize mode on your washing machine, use it. If not, you may consider raising the temperature on your water heater while washing that load. Be sure young children are supervised around sinks, tubs and showers while you do laundry, though, to prevent burns. And, before you reach for the fabric softener, don't. Fabric softener leaves residue on towels that makes them less absorbent.
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Expert reveals why you MUST change your ‘outside' clothes as soon as you get home & the bad habit that's making you ill
WE'D all like to think that we take great pride in our clean home. But while many of regularly scrub the loo and hoover the floor once a week, there could be common daily habits that are undoing your hard work in seconds - and they spread germs right under your nose. 2 2 Perhaps unsurprisingly, people need to think about anything that's been in contact with places where germs are. Some of these, such as the soles of your shoes and trainers, or hands after playing with a friendly pooch, are more obvious. However, there are plenty more unexpected ways harmful bacteria could be making their way in, Kim Hardie, professor in bacterial pathogenesis at Nottingham University, and Good Housekeeping household advice expert, Ella Duggan, revealed. Change into new clothes By now, most of us should - hopefully - be aware that wearing your outdoor shoes and boots in the living room and elsewhere is never a good idea. But the same thing goes for the clothing you've worn to the office or when running errands, the gurus told the publication. ''The habit that always grosses me out personally is sitting on (or even getting into) your bed wearing the clothes you just sat on public transport in,'' said Ella. ''The amount of germs your clothes can pick up, carry and transfer is shocking. ''Additionally, not changing when you get home can inflame allergies such as hay fever, by bringing in pollen or dander from the outside world.'' Don't chuck your suitcase on the bed With holiday season now in full force, millions of Brits will be jetting off to somewhere nice and sunny - which also means packing the suitcase. While plonking the luggage on your bed may seem harmless, it might be time to rethink that, the experts warned. Sun tests world's thinnest vacuum at Dyson HQ – and 'PencilVac' is SAS of cleaning After being chucked on the plane, dragged around and in contact with thousands of bags, suitcases are a notorious spreader of bed bugs, explained Professor Hardie. To keep your home pristine and germ-free, always give the luggage a good clean between trips. Clean your handbags Similarly, our handbags come with us pretty much everywhere, especially during the busy commute to and from work or when popping to the grocery store after picking the kids up from school. Your bag is essentially like the soles of your shoes - it sits on the floor of the bus or train or a dirty seat on public transport. Then, it finds itself on the kitchen counter where dinner is getting prepared - or your sofa where you're catching up on all the latest drama on Love Island. ''I think people underestimate or simply forget how dirty our bags are, but it doesn't take an expert to realise how much bacteria and grime lurks on public transport,'' said Ella. ' 'I try to wipe mine down with a leather safe, anti-bacterial wipe most days.'' 10 Grossest Areas People Forget to Clean By Danielle Mason, who has 20 years of experience Under and Behind the Fridge Crumbs, dust, and spills accumulate over time, attracting pests and creating bad odours. Shower Curtain & Liner These collect mildew and soap scum but are often overlooked. Wash or replace them regularly to keep your bathroom fresh. Toothbrush Holder One of the germiest places in the bathroom, filled with bacteria and toothpaste residue. Rinse and disinfect it weekly. Dishwasher Filter Food particles and grease build up, leading to unpleasant smells and reduced efficiency. Remove and clean the filter every few weeks. Washing Machine Seal The rubber gasket traps mould, mildew, and detergent buildup. Wipe it down with white vinegar and leave the door open to air dry. Light Switches and Remote Controls Touched daily but rarely cleaned, making them germ hotspots. Wipe them down with disinfectant regularly. Under the Sofa Cushions Crumbs, dust, and even lost items hide in the cracks. Remove the cushions and vacuum thoroughly. Kitchen Sink & Plughole Food residue builds up, causing bad odours. Pour boiling water, bicarbonate of soda, and vinegar down the drain to freshen it. Ceiling Fans Dust piles up on the blades and gets redistributed into the air when turned on. Use a microfibre cloth or pillowcase to clean them easily. Doormats They trap dirt and bacteria from shoes but are rarely washed or vacuumed. Shake them out weekly and deep clean them every month. Head to her Instagram pages for more cleaning information @ missmasoncleaning @ daniellemasonuk Don't forget about your phone Another big enemy is your phone - a daily essential for billions across the world. But when it comes to spreading germs, phones are one of the worst offenders, Professor Hardie warned. In fact, studies ''have shown that smartphones carry significantly more bacteria than toilet seats, so keep that in mind next time you're cuddled up in bed with yours'', Ella added. Be aware of the dangers when sharing towels A busy family bathroom in the early morning when everyone is rushing to get out of the house? All of us have been there. But don't go reaching to the nearest towel you can find. Sharing towels could risk skin infections, warned Professor Hardie. Some of these include athlete's foot, verrucas, acne and cold sores, and even respiratory infections, colds, flu and eye infections can be transmitted this way.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Doctor warns against washing your clothes in this water temperature: ‘It's a big deal'
When it comes to doing laundry, there are many rules to follow — yet one of the most important ones is what you set your water temperature to when doing a wash. One expert said the hot and cold settings are the two best options — and discourages washing in warm water. To fully kill nasty germs and any bacteria living on your clothes, Dr. Xand van Tulleken recommended on BBC Morning Live that you wash your garments at 60 degrees Celsius, 140 degrees Fahrenheit — which is considered the hot setting. 'At 60 degrees, certain bugs will be killed, and that can be quite good,' he said. 'So, if you've got an infection around your house, particularly norovirus, put it up at 60, along with the mechanical cleaning and the detergent.' Tulleken said the warm setting is a silly option as he doesn't see the point of it. '…it's too hot to be cheap, and it's too cold to kill [germs].' 20 degrees Celsius, 68 degrees Fahrenheit is considered the cold water setting — which Tulleken is all for. 'I've gotta say, I'm a 20 degrees guy for everything except my workout clothes, which go in hotter.' Aside from protecting your delicates, washing your clothes in cool water can also save you some money. '20 degrees saves 62% of your money compared to 40 degrees [104 degrees Fahrenheit], so that is a big deal…' he explained. Like with many appliances, washing machines should periodically be cleaned — especially if you often wash in cold water. 'If your machine has a cleaning cycle, which runs it at a high temperature, do that according to the manufacturer's instructions, and then air it out.' Aside from washing clothes at the wrong temperature — other common laundry mistakes most people make include putting in too much detergent. 'If you add too much to the appliance, it will often require additional time to spin and drain away any excess water and detergent residue,' appliance repair expert Ian Palmer-Smith told the Daily Mail. Overcrowding your machine so that it becomes unbalanced is another one. 'With washing machines becoming more sophisticated, they are able to detect if the load is unbalanced. If it is, this can often result in additional minutes being added,' the expert explained. 'This is a really easy mistake to avoid by distributing your laundry evenly in the drum,' Palmer-Smith continued. Solve the daily Crossword
