Germ Free Solutions
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Information Center
2008 Copyright Germ Free Solutions
| The toilet has germs. But is it the germiest spot in the bathroom? Many people are squeamish about toilet germs. And toilets, particularly in public restrooms, are receptacles for germs. That's like the first rule - don't sit on the toilet set." However, the toilet seat isn't where most bacteria are found. Instead, the germiest parts of the bathroom are the spots you might not think about, like the toilet handle and faucets of your sink. Here are some basic rules to help keep your bathroom – and your hands – clean, and to help avoid the germs. Close the toilet seat cover when you flush. Germs can be propelled into the air when the toilet is flushed. For that reason, it's good practice to close the seat or step away from the toilet after flushing, especially when using a public toilet. There's no such thing as a too-clean toilet. Clean and disinfect the toilet daily with a disinfecting cleaner. Handle the handle. Forget worrying about the seat. The handle is where most of the germs live on the toilet exterior. An easy way to fix this in your home is to wipe the handle daily with disinfecting wipes. In public restrooms, consider covering the handle with a small piece of toilet paper. Also, consider "The Handler" which is made to stop contamination on handles and doorknobs. Consider toilet brush alternatives. The toilet brush, which is used and then stored, can be a germ receptacle. Correct handwashing. 20 Second Rule. Lather your hands for 20 full seconds after using the bathroom. A quick wash won't do it – particularly when using a public restroom. Water alone will not remove dirt or kill bacteria. A teaspoon of liquid soap (more sanitary than bar soap, but not a health necessity) or a generous portion of bar soap is needed. |
| SIMPLE SOLUTION: The truth is that even if you wanted to, you can not sterilize your bathroom. If you want to reduce the germ population to keep things more sanitary, it helps to know where to put your efforts. Question: Where are the highest concentration of germs in the bathroom? Answer: The drains Question: Where is the least germ-contaminated place in the bathroom? Answer: The toilet seat. Question: Does soap work to kill germs? Answer: Yes! Even the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using it to kill germs. Make sure you use real soap, not a detergent. With this kit you will effectively clean away the germs where they really are, without contributing to the creation of drug-resistant superbugs that can be caused by the overuse of disinfectants: Germ-Killing Kit "Disinfectants" are registered with the EPA as pesticides and have at least a 99.0 percent "kill rate." The green kit, below, only includes one product registered as a disinfectant, and it is 100 percent botanical. The rest of the recommendations are sanitizers from simple, natural ingredients and are not officially recognized disinfectants (I put this one product in for anyone who has a special need and believes they have good reason to use a "hospital grade" disinfectant with a 100 percent kill rate.) As mentioned above, one good reason to avoid synthetic disinfectants (as opposed to one that is botanical), is that when chemical disinfectants kill off bacteria, a resistant strain grows in its stead that is harder to kill. The overuse of botanicals has not been found to cause the growth of superbugs. Ingredients White household distilled 5 percent vinegar. Vinegar has an 80 to 99 percent kill rate for viruses and bacteria. Liquid soap, such as Dr. Bronner's. Antibacterial essential oils such as tea tree oil, rosemary, thyme, and lavender. To use, add 1 teaspoon of the essential oil to 1 cup of water and in a spray bottle, and spray. Do not rinse when you use this spray. (This smell is quite strong but it will dissipate in a few hours.) If you buy a disinfectant for special needs cases, research for one that is a 100 percent botanical, hospital-strength and EPA-registered. Some examples include Benefect. Formulas Toilet Deodorizer Pour a cup or two of straight vinegar into a spray bottle and spray on the ring; pick up the toilet seat and spray around the top rim of the toilet and the backside of the seat. Do not rinse. (The smell will dissipate in a few hours.) Alternative: Use the antibacterial essential oil spray mentioned above. Drain Deodorizer Pour 2 cups of straight vinegar down the drain a few times a week. Doorknob Cleaner Add 2 tablespoons of liquid soap to 1 cup of water. Saturate a cloth and scrub the area. Rinse. Alternative: Spray with the essential oil spray, above. General Guidelines if Someone In The House Is Sick (Has Germs) Frequent hand washing with soap and water is the most important preventative measure for everyone in the house. You can spray some of the antibacterial spray described under "ingredients" in the air as you would an air freshener, to kill germs, too, which is the protective measure used down the ages. Caution: If anyone in the house is pregnant or has serious allergies, consult with a doctor before using essential oils. |
Green your Bathroom
Germs in the Bathroom
