Some of the smallest things that we all do everyday; like walking around the house in our shoes, which may not appear to be much of anything can actually lead to the spread of germs or even get you sick.
So if you want to curb the nasty spread, you need to take a look at these seven common habits that are actually really gross.
1. Putting Hot Food In The Fridge
Putting hot food in the fridge to speed up the cooling process might seem like a harmless idea, but did you know that doing so could actually create more bacteria? Putting hot foods in cooler temperature actually causes uneven cooling. This not only makes bacteria multiply, but it can actually get you sick. Instead, allow your food to cool before putting it in the fridge.
2. Walking Around The House In Your Shoes
Imagine all the dirt, grime, bacteria, and fecal matter that stick to the bottom of your shoes when you walk down the street. Now, imagine walking around your house in those shoes. You are basically leaving little traces of germs with every single step. And even worse, if there are people who love to sit or lay on the floor, just imagine the amount of germs that can get to their clothes and skin!
3. Putting Your Bag On Your Bed
Bags hold a lot more bacteria than you realise. In fact, a study found that when women’s purses were swabbed, tens of thousands of bacteria were found on most, and some even had millions! So by putting your bag on your bed, you could actually get yourself sick, because you are spreading germs to the place where you sleep.
4. Leaving The Toilet Seat Open After You Use It
A germ called Clostridium difficile is released up to ten inches away from toilet seats when they are not closed. Also, the bacteria released can linger for over an hour, so make sure to close the lid before flushing! (well, if you can manage it)
5. Using Your Cell Phone In The Bathroom
According to a study done at the University of London, one in six cell phones are contaminated with fecal matter. So, just imagine how much bacteria is being stored in your device, and imagine how that bacteria spreads to your skin when you are holding it against your face. Pretty gross, right?
6. Not Washing Reusable Plastic Bags
Reusable plastic bags, you know those black nylon bags and even those fancy Shoprite bags, are pretty awesome because they are easier to use and they are good for the environment. However, there’s a downside. If you don’t wash them on at least a weekly basis, you will be carrying extra germs and bacteria along with your food.
7. Not Cleaning Your Computer Keyboard
A British microbiologist named James Francis swabbed 33 keyboards, one toilet seat and one toilet door handle to see what germs would be picked up. Would it surprise you to learn that most of the keyboards actually had way more bacteria than the toilet seat, and some of them were even labeled as health hazards?
So when it comes to your keyboards, clean them on a regular basis and wash your hands before using them.
