Blissfully Domestic

One More Reason to Lather Up

I consider myself a fastidious handwasher.  My dry, cracked hands bear witness to the dozens of handwashings I put them through each day.  I'm the first to admit I have a germophobic streak, but even I dismissed this blurb in the April 2008 issue of Real Simple:

...wash your hands after transferring loads to the dryer.  "People assume washed clothes are germ-free," says Sandra Phillips, a cleaning consultant and the author of A Clean Break.  "But the dryer helps kill even more germs."

No way, I scoffed.  But the thought of invisible creepy crawlies breeding on my freshly washed clothes kept popping into my head whenever I switched a load from the machine to the dryer.  I begrudgingly started lathering up whenever I transferred laundry.  Fearing I may be slipping into neurotic territory, I Googled researched bacteria in washing machines.

I'm very sorry to report: you do need to wash your hands after handling clean wet clothing.

From the article Bacteria, Viruses Lurk in Washer by Arthur H. Rotstein (full article reprinted here):

More news from the guy who warned about dangerous germs lurking in your kitchen sponges and dishrags and the muck in your office coffee cup: Your washing machine may not be as safe as you think either.

Environmental microbiologist Charles Gerba spends most of his time researching water quality. But he also enjoys hanging around in other people's homes, mostly in their bathrooms and kitchens -professionally, of course- searching for environmental hazards.

His most recent study, of 50 homes in Tucson and 50 others in the Tampa Bay, Fla., area, has found that coliform bacteria, an indicator of unsanitary conditions, including the presence of diarrhea-causing E-coli, abound in many washing machines.

Bacteria such as salmonella, which causes food poisoning, and viruses including hepatitis A and those most commonly causing childhood diarrhea, rotavirus and adenovirus, also were targeted. While E-coli was killed in the permanent press drying cycle, some salmonella survived on clothes that registered 131 degrees Fahrenheit. So did hepatitis A, adenovirus and some rotavirus.

Most of the contamination, and greatest risk, occurs when a person gets bacteria on his hands in transferring the wet laundry to the dryer, he said. If laundry facilities are next to the kitchen, there's a good chance that after putting washed laundry in the dryer, the person will prepare food or bring his fingers to nose or mouth.

Scary stuff, no?  We all have to wash our underwear some time--what to do? 

• Gerba recommends running bleach through a cycle in an empty machine after washing a load likely to contain fecal bacteria (underwear, or pretty much anything your kiddos wear.)
• Hot water uses up more energy--and money--than cold, but it's better at killing germs.  Consider running hot water cycles for underwear and towels.
• If you can't remember the last time you cleaned your washing machine, brush up with this tutorial from ehow.com.
• Don't worry too much about it--you made it this far, right?

What weird germy things keep you up at night?  Join the discussion in the forum!

How Clean is Your Toothbrush?

Your toothbrush is likely your most-used grooming tool but is often neglected during regular cleaning chores--which cleaning category does a toothbrush fall under?  Does it make more sense to clean your toothbrush when you clean the bathroom it's stored in or when you do dishes?  Do you clean your toothbrush at the same time you clean its container?  More often?  Less often?

And how do you remember to change your toothbrush?  Should you coordinate changing your toothbrush with the seasons, new mascara, or school quarters? 

Toothbrush germs are not something I care to think about on a regular basis, but after reading some of these articles, a new toothbrush got the top spot on my grocery list!  Fair warning:  you may never look at your toothbrush the same way again.

What lurks on your toothbrush?

• Put down that bagel before reading about the Fecal Fountain Factor at Think Before You Flush or Brush.  Bottom line for the squeamish:  close the toilet lid before flushing, regardless of where you store your toothbrush.
• Find the recap of the Mythbusters toothbrush germ experiment at Televizzle.org.

Can you remember the last time you changed your toothbrush?

• From Dentistry.com:

"The typical toothbrush is reused for months, never cleaned thoroughly, and usually is stored under warm, moist conditions conducive for bacterial growth," says Astrid Schroetter, D.D.S., a general dentist. "This little piece of plastic, which is the very basis of home dental care, repeatedly is plunged into one of the dirtiest parts of the body. More than 300 kinds of microorganisms thrive in the human mouth."

"A toothbrush is less expensive than a Big Mac®, but some of us are so cheap that we just can't find the money to buy a new brush," says Tom Glass, D.D.S.

"After a while, toothbrush bristles wear down and become breeding grounds for bacteria," he says. "We've conducted numerous studies that show people can become re-infected with all kinds of bacteria from their own toothbrushes. By replacing their toothbrushes more often, we can prevent a lot of illnesses."

• The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three months and/or after illness. And consider washing a new toothbrush before use.  From the ADA:

Toothbrushes may even have bacteria on them right out of the box since they are not required to be sold in a sterile package.

So, how do you sanitize a toothbrush?

Low Tech:

• Store it in mouthwash
• Rinse it with peroxide
• Rinse it with tap water

High Tech:

• Philips Sonicare FlexCare Toothbrush with UV Sanitizer, $149 at Drugstore.com.
• Vio Light Toothbrush Sanitizer and Storage System, $49.95 at Amazon.com.
• Germ Terminator on QVC.

What about using the microwave to nuke germs?

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma placed toothbrushes in a microwave and found they could wipe out common bugs. However, they also discovered that metal staples that hold the bristles in the manual toothbrush head can interfere with the energy waves and kill the microwave. The Chicago Dental Society cautions that microwave sterilization shows promise but is still in the early phases of research.

Tips for keeping your toothbrush clean

Strangest advice I found on keeping your toothbrush clean:  store it in the bedroom.  Wouldn't that make a lovely decor statement? These tips are a bit more practical:

• Don't store the family's toothbrushes in one container.
• Wash your hands before and after brushing your teeth.
• Store toothbrush upright in a place where it will dry out between uses.

How old is your toothbrush?  Join the discussion at the forum!

Show Ready- Get Your House Clean

Are you moving anytime soon? If you are getting ready to put your home on the market there are a few cleaning essentials you should tend to before showing your home. By putting in a little effort upfront, your home will look its best and you can increase your chances of getting offers on your home quickly! A clean house not only shows better, but shows potential buyers that you have taken care of the home and it is well maintained.

A realtor and I were discussing this and she mentioned that "no one thinks that their dirt is dirty"- this is so true! If you were were getting ready to hop in the shower and noticed that it was in need of a scrubbing, you would most likely go ahead and take your shower, however if you were in a hotel you would probably not get in. Bottom line- clean up your dirt! It's a turn off to potential buyers!  Everyone knows to clean up clutter, and I think it is easy to get so caught up in eliminating clutter that we forget about a good old fashioned cleaning. So here is my essential list that I look at in every home I go into:

• Clean your light-fixtures!! Not only will it look better, but will improve the lighting and add sparkle.
• Clean your oven and any other appliances that are staying in the home. A dirty oven is a huge problem for me- it can make even new appliances seem old. Same goes for microwaves!
• Thoroughly clean your bathrooms- especially the shower!! I look in the door and to me this is a tell tale sign of how clean the shower is.
• Vacuum around air vents and change the filters. If I see a lot of dust on the vents or filters, it is a red flag that the system has not been properly maintained. And seriously... ick!!
• Wash windows, blinds, and window treatments. Dirty windows don't show well, and dusty blinds- yuck!
• Steam or shampoo carpets- mystery stains? No thank you. Unless you want people giving you low-ball offers: get your carpets cleaned.
• Wipe down surfaces that are often forgotten such as light switches, door knobs (and the area around them!), etc. These areas can get grubby quickly and in your own home are easy to over-look but to potential buyers they make your home look, well grubby!

Other things that are essential before a showing:

• Empty your trash and any diaper pails. Don't let your house get tagged as the smelly one!
• Clean up any pet waste- again no stinky litter boxes, and you don't want anyone tracking in anything on your clean carpets!
• Vacuum high traffic areas

It can seem overwhelming trying to get your house ready to show- take advantage of offers from family and friends to help, or take the kids so you have time to get things done. If you are incredibly pressed for time, consider hiring out some of the work. It may seem like a big expense, but it can be worth the investment if it will sell your home faster.

What are your tips for cleaning your home before putting it on the market?

Clutter Control: Clearing Kitchen Counters

Kitchen counters lure clutter with their smooth horizontal surfaces; it's easy to get in the habit of using counters as a drop zone for mail, homework, or a toy picked up off the floor.  Even kitchen equipment can visually read as clutter--there are only so many canisters, appliances, and tchotchkes a kitchen countertop can support before it hits maximum capacity.  Clear your counters and gain valuable workspace with these tips.

Play to Your Habits

A completely bare counter looks unnatural and un-lived in.  Here's the short list of what should stay.

• If you know you will always drop mail and to-do essentials on the counter, contain paperwork with a shallow basket or pretty platter.
• Sarah Kimmel, the Organized Mom, offers this advice on countertop appliances:
  • Only keep appliances that you use DAILY on the counter.  We even store our toaster in the cupboards because we do not use it every day.  If you use it every day then it’s not worth the effort to pull it out, but even if it’s just a few times a week, it’s not that much harder to pull it out and plug it in.
• Keep counter items congruent with kitchen use:  a crock of often-used utensils, a candle or two, hand soap, and a fruit bowl belong.  Backpacks and laundry do not.

Go Vertical

Need more room for food prep?  Check out these space savers.

• The Utensil Pot Clip eliminates the need for a traditional spoon rest. From Crate and Barrel, $6.95
• Mount paper towels on the wall with the Perfect Tear Chrome Paper Towel Holder.  $17.99 at Amazon.com.
• Hang towels off the counter--they'll dry more quickly.  The Rationell Variera Towel Rail holds three towels and can be mounted on the wall or inside a cabinet door.  From IKEA, $9.99.
• Take back your counter with this ceiling mounted 3-Tier Hanging Basket.  Use it to hold fruit, garlic, or kitchen essentials.  $11.95 at Sur la Table.

What's on your kitchen counter?  Join the discussion at the forum!

Baby's Room- Keep It Clean

One of the things that I enjoyed most during my pregnancy was getting my daughter's nursery ready. I think that most parents spend a good deal of time (and money!) getting their little one's room perfect, but many are unsure of how to keep it clean and tidy once baby arrives. Here are some tips on safely keeping your little one's room straightened up and clean:

When cleaning furniture avoid harsh chemicals or strong smells: Try a damp cloth to remove dust and dirt, make sure to follow with a dry cloth to remove any moisture. If you want to use a cleaner, use one specifically designed for use around children.

Vacuum regularly- not only are you getting rid of dust, dirt and allergens, but babies are famous for putting anything they find into their mouths and this will help cut down on what they find!

Regularly wash sheets, changing covers, boppy covers, curtains, etc. It seems like a lot, but with the amount of laundry you are doing for your little one, it really isn't adding that much more. To help save time when you make your child's bed, make it twice!n On top of the mattress, use a water-proof mattress protector and sheet, then on top of that, put another water-proof mattress protector and sheet. This will save you time and is wonderful for a quick middle of the night sheet changes.

Wipe down the diaper pail and let it air out! You are likely changing your diaper pail regularly, but remember to wipe it down, and let it air out, preferably outside. Diaper pails can get smelly fast, and regular cleaning not only keeps them sanitary, but helps to keep them smelling great. Throw in a box of baking soda to further help eliminate odors.

Wipe down toys- I use a cleaner specifically designed for use on children's toys. Remember that practically everything your child handles will go in his/her mouth. This means you want to keep them clean, but safely!

Rotate your child's toys so that the room (and your child) is not overwhelmed! It is easy for a room to get over-run with bright multi-colored plastic- rotate toys to reduce the clutter! My little daughter is delighted when I bring out baskets of "new" toys.

I spend a lot of time in my little one's room, and spend a fair share of time keeping it clean. I use a weekly routine and this has helped me keep everything under contr ol, but no matter what kind of system you use to keep your child's room clean find one that works for you! Your child will breathe easier, and you will too knowing that you are keeping dirt and germs at bay!