Latest news with #hygiene
CNET
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- CNET
Why Your Bathroom Desperately Needs Cleaning Now
Summer is in full swing. Between vacations, pool and beach trips, keeping your bathroom clean can feel like an impossible task. It's a room that's used every day, but knowing where to start can be a chore in itself. Cleaning may not be the most exciting thing for everyone to do, but your bathroom is one of the rooms you should regularly spruce up. This will help eliminate and limit the amount of germs and bacteria from festering in your home. It doesn't matter if your powder room is long overdue for a deep clean or if you're just curious about a cleaning cadence; we will provide you with insight. Whether scrubbing your toilet or degunking your shower head, this guide makes freshening up your restroom easy and simple. Read more: 15 Filthy Spots That Survived Your Spring Cleaning Rampage, According to an Expert 8 bathroom items you should clean regularly Bathroom rug Once a week, toss the bathroom rug in the washer. Wash it on the gentle cycle in warm water and let it air dry (especially if it has a no-slip grip on the back) before putting it back in place. If you're unsure, always follow the washing instructions on the tag. Toilet David Watsky/CNET If you live alone, you can probably get by cleaning the toilet every few days. If you have kids, the rules change. The outside, handle and seat should get a once-a-day wipedown with an antibacterial cleaner or wipe. Most families can get by with cleaning the bowl once a week, particularly if you use this toilet tank tip. If you have tough stains or gunk in your toilet bowl, we advise pouring Coke (yes, the soda) into a spray bottle and then saturating the stain with the drink. Let it sit for a few hours. You can then easily scrub away the stain with a toilet brush. Shower curtain Once a month, you should take down your fabric or plastic shower curtain and throw it in the wash. Here are five tips for cleaning your shower curtain in the washing machine. Shower and tub You only need to clean your shower and tub once a week, but if you have a glass shower door, it needs a little more attention. To prevent the build-up of soap scum and keep the glass looking spotless, use a squeegee to wipe away water after every shower. These few seconds can save you from scrubbing at the end of the week. Bath towels Josh Miller/CNET My family has had this debate for years. How often should you wash bath towels? Well, it depends. Every three to four uses is a good rule of thumb, but there are some conditions where a towel should be washed after one use. Here's how to know when to wash your towels. Sink The germs from your hands collect on the sink knobs and in the sink bowl when you wash your hands. So, even if you live alone, the sink needs a good wipe down every day with an all-purpose cleaner or antibacterial cleaning wipe. Mirror Like the sink, the mirror needs a daily wipe down to remove lint, dust and toothpaste specks. Simply wipe it down with a microfiber cloth after you step out of the bath or shower. Hair dryer Yes, even your hair dryer needs a proper cleaning schedule to prevent it from overheating. Here's a simple way to clean a hair dryer in just a few minutes. More cleaning tips and tricks
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tyra Banks reveals dirty habit live on Today show leaving viewers feeling 'sick'
Tyra Banks managed to gross out Jenna Bush Hager and the studio audience with her on-air confession Monday that she 'cleans' food crumbs leftover on her bed at her Sydney home 'by eating them.' The 51-year-old supermodel-turned-presenter isn't alone either as her mother Carolyn London and nine-year-old son York Banks Asla share her odd habits of eating ice cream and popcorn in bed, and whatever remains 'a couple days later.' 'A few days if it's not super perishable,' Tyra noted while guest-hosting TODAY with Jenna & Friends on Monday. 'Like a popcorn? I mean, come on. That's like astronaut food. It just lasts forever. You just pick it up. I'm not joking.' Gagging, Jenna asked: 'A week later you would go and eat that?' 'Yeah, if I knew it was mine in my bed, yeah,' Banks replied. The two-time Daytime Emmy winner went on to explain that she does the same on her floor since she has a 'no shoe rule' and doesn't want 'roaches.' 'I have a no shoe rule in my home so I can eat off my floor,' Tyra stressed. 'No, but I'm serious, I do that. But then I see my son doing it and I'm like, "Don't do that!" And he's like, "Mama, you do it!"' On the Jenna & Friends Instagram account, users were horrified like @randirobson who commented with a nauseated emoji: 'Disgusting! Would never eat in bed and then eat the crumbs later.' 'I eat in bed all the time,' Instagram user @madijayne wrote. 'But I'm not leaving popcorn in it for a few days.' Instagram user @desalvoshirley commented: 'No way do I want food in my bed! Yikes!' Over on X, user @mozingo_84 posted a cringing meme. 'Wow, Tyra eating crumbs off the floor is wild,' X user @Bintmetax scoffed. 'Definitely not a pest control hack I'd try!' X user @blackgypsy71 posted a vomit emoji and simply wrote: 'Nasty.' The SMiZE & DREAM founder has four more days of grossing out Jenna as she is serving guest host duties all week. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TODAY with Jenna & Friends (@jennaandfriends) On the Jenna & Friends Instagram account, users were horrified like @randirobson who commented with a nauseated emoji: 'Disgusting! Would never eat in bed and then eat the crumbs later' 'I eat in bed all the time,' Instagram user @madijayne wrote. 'But I'm not leaving popcorn in it for a few days' The SMiZE & DREAM founder has four more days of grossing out Jenna as she is serving guest host duties all week Tyra is next scheduled to guest star in the August 13th episode of HGTV makeover show Celebrity IOU hosted by Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott. Last May, Entertainment Weekly reported that Banks sat down for an interview for an upcoming Netflix docuseries about the making of America's Next Top Model, which concluded in 2018 after 18 seasons. And though he'd never admit it, RuPaul Charles has the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show catwalker to thank for the overall format of his own Emmy-winning, reality TV competition RuPaul's Drag Race. Tyra made history in 1996 as the first African-American model to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue - and she returned for the covers in 1997, 2019, and 2024.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
How Often Should You Wash Your Towels?
Credit - Photo-Illustration by TIME (Source Image: Megan Kobe—Getty Images) You might think your towels don't get all that dirty. After all, you're clean when you use them, right? Wrong, say dermatologists, who argue that people don't wash their towels often enough. Here, experts break down how frequently you should toss different types of towels in the laundry—and what can happen if you don't clean them often enough. Bath towels Aim to wash your bath towels every two to three uses at a minimum. If you're not convinced all that laundry is necessary, consider that you're rubbing your towels over the most intimate parts of your body. 'When we dry off, our towel is collecting a bunch of tiny things we can't see, including dead skin cells—which kind of slough off—and microorganisms from your body,' says Dr. Kristina Collins, a dermatologist in Austin. Many of these microorganisms, which include bacteria, viruses, and fungi, are normal and harmless. The problem is, towels can easily become contaminated with unpleasantries such as skin pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, fecal pathogens, viruses that cause warts, and the fungal species that leads to athlete's foot and ringworm. 'When they have the opportunity to sit there in a moist environment and truly replicate and create a little colony, that can be a source of reinfection back to your skin,' Collins says. 'When you use that towel again—let's say you have breaks in your skin or an acne outbreak that's compromising your skin barrier—that can be a portal of entry to some of these pathogenic bacteria that have been able to replicate on the towel.' Read More: How Often Do You Really Need to Wash Your Sheets? If you have body or face acne, or a condition like eczema that makes you more susceptible to bacteria, it's a good idea to consider washing your towels more frequently than the average person. 'The chances of that towel having these types of microorganisms is going to be higher, and the chance that it can affect the skin is higher, too,' Collins says. How you dry your towels makes a difference, too. Hang them up on a bar rather than a hook so they can better air out, suggests Dr. Elizabeth Mullans, a dermatologist at Upton Dermatology in Houston. 'If it's on a hook, parts of it will be open to the air, but parts are still going to be all wet and jammed together,' she says, 'which means more chances for bacteria and fungi to grow.' Wash your towels in hot water that's 170°F or higher, experts advise, which will help kill germs and bacteria. Face towels It's best to have a separate face towel, as opposed to using your body towel to dry your face, Collins tells patients. 'You wouldn't pat your face with your underwear," she says, so why use a towel that's been up close and personal with your derriere? Switch out your face towel after every use, Collins advises. That doesn't necessarily mean doing laundry every day: She likes buying seven-packs of soft microfiber towels; after using one, she tosses it in the hamper and subs in a fresh one. Doing so helps prevent the transfer of bacteria, oils, and dead skin cells from your body to your face, which could trigger breakouts or other nuisances. 'The face is where people are going to have the most problems from overuse of a towel,' Collins says. 'The skin on our bodies is thicker—it's less susceptible to acne—and our face skin is more sensitive and prone to irritation.' Beach towels After you swim, leave some time to dive into your laundry pile: Experts recommend washing towels after every use, especially if you've been splashing around a public pool. 'They're exposed to higher moisture from the pool water, which also might have chlorine, organic debris, and other microorganisms, including pseudomonas,' says Dr. Rayva Khanna, a dermatologist at Georgetown University Medical Center. Pseudomonas are bacteria that lurk in warm environments like hot tubs and swimming pools and can cause hot tub folliculitis, an infection of hair follicles. This bacteria can easily spread via towels. Read More: How to Actually Do Laundry the Right Way Plus, when you're in a public space, your towel could come into contact with all kinds of bacteria you'd probably rather not rub onto your body. Not to mention, lots of swimmers hang beach towels outside to dry, which means they're exposed to allergens wafting through the air. 'If you have really bad hay fever, and you're using something that's been hung up outside, that can provoke allergies,' Collins says. There is, however, a saving grace for swimming towels. 'Unless you're a very progressive household, you're probably wearing a swimsuit,' she says. 'So there's not that direct contact with the genital area that your bath towel has. That in and of itself means the towel is probably not getting as dirty when you're drying off,' though there are still plenty of reasons to keep up with a rigorous washing schedule. Gym towels The most common towel-related question Khanna gets from patients is how often they should wash the towels they carry around in their gym bags. Her answer: After every use. While many of the same microorganisms that are a threat in your bathroom exist in the gym, there's a greater risk of cross-contamination in public places, Khanna says. If you use your towel to wipe down equipment, for example, you could wind up with someone else's bacteria on it (or transfer your own onto the treadmill someone else is about to use). 'You're hot and sweaty, and you're going to use it to dry yourself and then stick it in your gym bag,' Mullans says. 'The wetter it is, and the longer it's wet, the more those small amounts of bacteria or fungus are going to multiply,' increasing the risk of athlete's foot, jock itch, or warts. How to tell if your towel is making you sick If you notice whiteheads or little bumps on your skin, it's possible you could have a superficial bacterial infection. A red, scaly rash could be caused by ringworm or indicate a fungal skin infection, Mullans says. 'Sometimes people even get a big boil, or what in medicine we call an abscess,' she adds. 'A lot of times, those are related to Staph bacteria,' which can often be drained by doctors but sometimes spread so rapidly, they lead to serious illness and require IV antibiotics. Read More: How Much Do You Actually Need to Shower? Any time new symptoms pop up, it's a good idea to make an appointment with your primary care doctor or dermatologist and find out what's going on, Mullans says. It could turn out that once you get better acquainted with your laundry machine, your symptoms will improve. Contact us at letters@
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Stomach-churning find in the bakery section of a Woolworths supermarket leaves shoppers disgusted
An Aussie shopper has had an alarming surprise at a Melbourne Woolworths after discovering an unexpected guest lurking in the bakery section. Valentina Olivos captured footage of a mouse amongst the muffins at the Bourke Street Metro store in the CBD. In the clip, the rodent can be seen trying to climb up the side of a box of blueberry muffins and appeared to be intently sniffing at them. After recording the disturbing encounter, Ms Olivos let a worker know about the critter. Woolworths said that a 'thorough clean of the affected aisle' was conducted after the team was made aware of the issue. 'We hold ourselves to the highest standards in store hygiene, so we're really disappointed to have missed the mark at our Bourke Street Metro in Melbourne on this occasion,' they said in a statement to Storyful. Ms Olivos shared the clip on TikTok earlier this month with the caption: 'A regular Tuesday'. Woolworths shoppers were understandably alarmed by the footage. One commented: 'If this is in broad daylight can you imagine what happens when the store is closed and the lights are off.' However, one viewer joked the mouse was 'looking for the cheese aisle'. 'Don't worry about little man... He's just hustling,' another added. Someone else joked: 'Woolies are now selling pets apparently!' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Woolworths for further comment.
CNET
4 days ago
- Health
- CNET
If You Have These 8 Kitchen Tools, They Are Probably Past Their Prime
It's easy to get attached to your go-to kitchen tools: your trusty spatula, the perfectly sized plastic cutting board or a can opener you've had since your first apartment. But not every kitchen essential is made to last forever. While some tools like cast-iron skillets or Dutch ovens get better with age, others wear down, lose effectiveness and can even become unsanitary no matter how well you wash them. Over time, plastic can warp, wooden utensils can harbor bacteria and dull blades can become dangerous. If your drawers are filled with aging gadgets you haven't looked at closely in a while, it might be time for an upgrade. Swapping out worn tools not only improves safety and hygiene, it can also make cooking easier and more enjoyable. Not sure where to start? Here are the kitchen items experts say you should consider replacing sooner rather than later. "Keeping your kitchen tools in good condition ensures both safety and efficiency," says Maricel Gentile, kitchen expert and founder of cooking school Maricel's Kitchen. "Plus, it's the perfect excuse to explore new gadgets, and some need replacing more often than you think." Below you'll find seven examples of kitchen tools that may have worn out their welcome in your kitchen. 1. Plastic cutting boards and utensils Plastic isn't impervious to bacteria, even if you're regularly putting it in the dishwasher. "Over time, knife marks can create deep grooves that are hard to clean and can harbor bacteria," Gentile says. "Also, plastics degrade with heat and use, releasing microplastics into the food." If you want to avoid microplastics in your food, replace your plastic cutting board of wear and tear can indicate that it's time for a change. "If your board is heavily scarred or stained, it's time to replace it," says Gentile. With other plastic tools, look for signs of discoloration, melting or warping. 2. Plastic storage containers Kitchen expert Sylvia Fountaine of Feasting at Home says to ditch plastic storage containers outright. If you're using them only to keep food in the fridge, it's probably OK, but the temptation to take storage containers from the fridge to the microwave is what makes them less than ideal. When heated, these types of containers can leach various chemicals into your food. "Opt for glass storage containers with bamboo lids," Fountaine says. Avoid putting your plastic Tupperware in the microwave.3. Graters, peelers and microplanes Metal tools with sharp edges, designed to break food down into bits like shreds and zest, don't have any of the risks associated with microplastics and are relatively easy to clean and sanitize but can overstay their utility if you're holding on to them for too long. "These dull over time and become less effective at shredding or zesting," Gentile says. "If your grater starts to mash instead of grate, it's time for a replacement. Your recipes will thank you!" 4. Can opener Whether a handheld or electric model, your can opener is not meant for the long term for a couple of reasons. "It will get dull over time," says Mitzi Baum, CEO at Stop Foodborne Illness, just like the tools above that rely on a sharp edge or blade. But the can opener also has sanitary implications. "It is a kitchen utensil that does not get regularly cleaned or sanitized," says Baum. "If it is not washed regularly, it will have food and bacteria build up on it and could contaminate other canned foods when used to open them." A bunker can opener. Nelson Aguilar/CNET If rust has also built up on your can opener, especially the blade that may come into contact with food, it's past time to replace it. 5. Kitchen sponges If your kitchen sponge smells, that's a good sign it's time to be replaced. JavierDoes your kitchen sponge smell? Do you think that's just how kitchen sponges always are? If so, you need to hear this. "Kitchen sponges need to be replaced regularly as sponges can support harmful bacterial growth because they are wet and sit at room temperature -- a temperature that bacteria like," Baum says. The musty smell of kitchen sponges indicates that bacteria are growing. There is a nonwaste solution: "The sponge can be included in the dishwasher as long as (it) includes a sanitizing cycle," Baum says. "If you do not have a dishwasher, replace your sponges regularly, especially when it begins to smell." 6. Wooden spoons and cutting boards If you're holding on to any wooden utensils or boards that belonged to a previous generation, don't. Wooden spoons and other utensils would seem to be heritage tools, because they're difficult to break or chip, but they're meant for a good time, not a long time. "Wooden spoons are kitchen workhorses, but they're also porous, which means they can absorb liquids, oils and odors and lead to bacterial buildup," says Debra Clark, kitchen expert and founder of Bowl Me Over. "If your wooden spoon is starting to look worn, smells funky or has deep grooves, it's time to replace it. A good rule of thumb is to replace them every year or so if they see heavy use." If your wooden spoon smells musty or looks worn, it's time to replace it.7. Nonstick pots and pans If your nonstick skillet looks anything like this, it's time to saddle yourself with a fresh pan. David Watsky/CNET The coating of nonstick pans is one of the biggest culprits of forever chemicals and microplastics. "These pans are a lifesaver for quick, low-fat cooking but the coating doesn't last forever," Clark says. "Over time, scratches and wear can not only reduce their effectiveness but may also release tiny bits of the nonstick material into your food," she says, which is the point where you might accidentally ingest some of it and it starts to become really harmful. "If your pan is scratched, flaking or sticking more than it should, it's time to invest in a new one. Most nonstick pans last about three to five years with regular use.'' (Nontoxic, nonstick brands that use ceramic include Caraway and Green Pan.) 8. Silicone baking equipment Rubber and silicone, especially cheap ones, have been found to leach chemicals into food. M Kitchen/CNET Silicone is found all over the kitchen, from rubber scrapers and oven mitts to baking mats and trays. Anything that experiences high heat, however, should get tossed. "To be clear about silicone tools, I wouldn't replace them often but replace them altogether with something else like stainless or enamel bakeware," Fountaine says. "I have been reading that silicone is possibly considered 'safe,' but only up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. There is very limited research on its safety, and other additives to the silicone could potentially leach into food," she says. "Plus It is not biodegradable or recyclable, so not very eco-friendly." Read more: Top 10 Foods Contaminated With Microplastics. Here's How to Avoid Them
