We try our best to keep our house free of germs as far as possible, yet, the buggers always seem to get the better of us. Many a times it so happens, that how much ever we clean our toilets, the countertops, the floor and all the places we can possibly think of, we are hardly ever successful in wiping them out totally. You would find germs (the all inclusive name for viruses, bacteria and other micro organisms) in your office, at your home, in your car, just about everywhere. But fortunately about 99 per cent of these are not harmful, while the remaining one percent can cause all the nuisance, including common cold and cough and even seriously fatal infections.
Although we try to keep clean all those places we think would be breeding grounds for germs, there are still other hideouts which we may have never thought of. Germs tend to show up at places in your house where you least expect them to be. Here, we have mentioned some such spots in your house where germs like to lurk and you would not even have known:
The Soap Dispenser
Soap dispensers kept in the restrooms are a favourite bacteria spot. As per a recent research, it was found that about 20% of soap dispensers are infected by fecal bacteria. This is much more seen in public restrooms. The reason is that as the soap dispenser is seldom emptied and cleaned, the soap scum keeps getting accumulated over the dispenser thus, providing an easy access to harmful bacteria. Also, as dirty hands touch the dispenser, the contamination increases and continues unattended.
Precaution: Keep the soap dispenser clean from the outside and wash it before refilling it with liquid soap. Wash your hands thoroughly with hot water for at least seven minutes.
The Vacuum Cleaner 
The bag and brushes of a vacuum cleaner easily get attacked by bacteria as a result of the cleaning process. As all the dirt and germs enter the waste bag and brushes, these are again transferred to the other parts of the house as the cleaning is being done.
Precaution: Make sure to empty the waste bag as soon as you are done with one part of the house. And empty the waste bag at a place outside the house or else the germs would be back in no time. Also, it is important to wash the brushes thoroughly, you can dip them in water for an hour after the cleaning is done so that the bacterias that it had attracted would be killed in the process.
The Kitchen Napkin
You would be surprised to know that the cloth or rag that you use in the kitchen with which you wipe plates, wipe your hands, wipe the spills on the kitchen table, could actually be a breathing place for bacteria. Research has it that the kitchen napkin could be a source of the e-coli bacteria.
Precaution: Do not reuse the kitchen napkin that has previously been used to wipe spills and other things, without washing it. Also, as far as possible try to use paper towels to clean tabletops and utensils, while the napkin can be used for other things. Or else, use separate napkins, one for cleaning plates and other utensils and the other for cleaning table tops. Also, the kitchen napkin must be dipped in hot soap water to get away with its stickiness.
The Doormat
The doormat welcomes not only your guests but also plays host to germs and bugs who find their way along. Much of the bacteria come as a result of the dirt stuck on shoe soles that enter the house. The area near your door is the most available to attracting germs in the house. Bacteria have a tendency to get stuck onto mats and whenever you walk over it, you actually carry the germs inside the house. Hence, to prevent this from happening:
Precaution: Spay a disinfectant on the mat every two or three times a week and also, make it a habit to remove shoes before stepping onto the mat, so that the dirt does not come inside.
The Car Dashboard
In a survey conducted in the USA, it was found that the dashboard of a car is the most germ-friendly area and treating it has become a pressing concern for millions of people around the world. When air which carries bacteria gets sucked in through the vents, it’s often drawn to the dashboard where it deposits the germs. Also, germs tend to grow more quickly and easily on the dashboard as it is exposed to the sun and remains warm most of the time.
Precaution: Wipe the interior of your car with disinfectants and do this on a regular basis for maximum results.
Take special care of these areas along with the other obvious hideouts at your home, and you can very safely and surely say goodbye to bacteria and other microorganisms that may be silent breeders there!
