Hygiene Cleaning in the Home

We all know that hygiene cleaning helps prevent the spread of germs and disease, but ‘good hygiene is not a once-weekly, deep-down clean,’ says Professor Sally Bloomfield, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. ‘Hygienic cleaning needs to be an ongoing part of our daily lives, where hygiene measures are targeted where and when necessary.’ And much of it lies in the detail, for example, thoroughly drying surfaces after cleaning, because if there’s any moisture left it will allow any remaining germs to multiply. Paradoxically while water helps to clean and disinfect, it also provides the ideal breeding ground for bacteria – did you know that within eight hours, one bacterium on a damp cloth can multiply to six million? Which is why, according to the UK’s NHS, a kitchen sponge or swab is one of the most bacteria laden items in a kitchen and needs to be changed frequently.

The NHS goes on to provide some general hygiene tips to minimise the spread of germs in the home:

• In the kitchen, use disposable cloths or paper towels when possible, and re-usable cloths should be disinfected after each use. Wash up brushes should be regularly washed in the dishwasher or cleaned with soap and hot water.
• In food preparation, proper hygiene cleaning begins with clean dry hands and work surfaces. Use separate chopping boards for meat, fish, poultry, and vegetables to prevent cross contamination; and wash hands again after handling high-risk foods such as raw meat.
• In the bathroom, use a lavatory cleaner and brush every few days and regularly clean the toilet seat, handle and rim with a disinfectant. Hygienically clean sinks, baths and showers; and if they haven’t been used for a long period, let hot water run first before using them. Keep tiles and grout in good condition and clean them often. And if you have a shower curtain, be sure to disinfect or launder it frequently as it can carry mould and fungus; all of which can cause infections if it touches your skin.
• Floors should be cleaned regularly to remove visible dirt with warm water and detergent; and carpet cleaning (ideally executed by professionals) should be done frequently, particularly if you have small children and pets.

We all know that by keeping our environments hygienically clean we stay happier and healthier, but often our full schedules don’t allow for the regular deep clean we know we need to achieve this; and that’s when it’s time to call in professionals like QClean – they offer a wide range of services, from thorough hygiene cleaning and dry carpet cleaning, right down to post renovation or pre occupation cleaning. So, whatever your cleaning needs may be, call QClean today for the best residential and commercial cleaning service in Cape Town.