Concentrate on hot spots
There's no need to blitz your home with bleaches, detergents and other products to protect your family. In fact it's pointless. You'll never kill all the bugs, as fresh recruits are marching in every day on your family's hands, feet and via other channels. Also, a lot of bugs will be on surfaces you rarely or never touch, such as walls. The trick is to concentrate on hot spots where there's the highest risk of contamination, especially where there's hand contact.
Here's our round-up of the key areas you should zap:
Pay particular attention to the kitchen
Disinfect food preparation surfaces before and after making a meal or snack, especially cutting boards.Beat bugs in the bathroom
Unless there's illness in the family, you don't have to be too obsessive about the bathroom. Disinfect the toilet and clean the tiles and shower curtain regularly.
Remember door handles, phones, taps & other contact surfaces
Studies indicate that a high proportion of cold bugs, such as the rhinovirus, are caught off these surfaces. Wipe them regularly with a cloth and disinfectant.
Stamp out nasty smelling drains
Pouring neat bleach like Domestos into sink and basin plug holes, as well as around the toilet bowl, will not only kill germs but make them smell a lot fresher.Relax about your floors
How often do you touch floors with your fingers? Vacuum carpets and other areas regularly to remove dust, house mites and other contaminants.
Keep pets at a safe distance
Animals are not as clean as humans, so they carry more germs.
Keep your cloths clean
Damp, dirty cloths will spread bacteria all over the home.
