Tips to help stop bathroom germs

Color code hand and bath towels

It might seem like a stupid idea but each family member will know which towel is theirs. Each time you dry yourself off, are depositing germs on your towel. Just a skin flake can contain bacteria. They may not be sick but it can affect you. If you don’t want to color code, use a waterproof marker on the labels. Not only do you prevent someone from using your towel but you don’t make the same mistake.

Never share toothbrushes

Make sure everyone has their own toothbrush and the best way to identify them is by colour-coding. You can simply buy toothbrushes in different colours. Here’s why: every time you brush your teeth, you remove plaque and particles. Sometimes you press too hard and your gums bleed. Any bacteria you have in your mouth, is deposited onto your toothbrush. It becomes contaminated. Replace your toothbrush each time after you’ve been ill because you will get infected again. Remember that germs survive a long time. The best practice is to store toothbrushes roughly 1 inch from each other. This prevents germs from spreading from one toothbrush to another.

Flush your toilet with the lid down

Flushing your toilet with the lid up is like setting of a flare. The water vapor that erupts from the flushing bowl is polluted and it takes several hours for these particles to settle. Do not store your toothbrush openly near the toilet as it gets contaminated by the particles.
Clean high-touch surfaces

Clean high-touch surfaces

A high-touch surface is something you use your hands on. The bathroom has a lot of them. These include the taps, door handles, toilet lids, bath handles and your towel rack. Any high-touch surface carries a lot of germs. Use a disinfectant spray or anti-bacterial wipes. These will kill the bathroom germs living on your surfaces. Rhinoviruses that cause cold can actually survive for up to three hours. So when you are sick, make sure you disinfect your bathroom.

Use a paper cup dispenser

A plastic or ceramic cup can spread a lot of germs. The fact is that a few people in the household probably uses the same cup. Your best defense it to keep a paper cup dispenser in the bathroom. This allows everyone to have their own cup and dispose of it when they are done. It might be a bit expensive but you stop people from infecting each other when they are sick.

Choose functional tissues

There are loads of different types on the market today and the latest is virucidial tissues. These tissues actually kill germs as soon as you use it. Blowing your nose or coughing into it can help to stop the spread of germs. These viruvidial tissues may be expensive but it depends on the manufacturer and store.

Wash your hands after you do your business

This may be second nature but people forget, especially children. You should always wash your hands after coming into contact with any body fluids such as blood, nasal secretions and vomit. This applies when you are visiting the toilet, changing diapers and of course, after you clean any area of the bathroom.

Scrub the inside of the toilet bowl

The toilet bowl actually has a lot of germs. Make sure you clean it a couple times a week with products that contain bleach. The bleach actually kills the germs and also leaves your toilet clean and ready to be used.

Let the water run before you shower

Bathroom germs can grow in shower heads. It might not seem possible but as soon as you turn off the water, they become active and easily multiply. Let your shower run fully on hot water for about a minute or two. This will flush out the germs before you get in.

Scrub showers, bathtubs, and counter-tops

Bathroom germs grow in your showers, bathtubs and on your counter-tops as well These should always be cleaned to reduce the spread of viruses, fungi and bacteria. Do it at least twice a week with a disinfectant product that contains bleach. You can easily get more germs if you don’t clean your bathroom because they enter through the mouth, nose, eyes, and broken skin or just about anywhere they can. Your overall load of bacteria can increase and you may get ill with a cold, infections or viruses. This can be because you didn’t clean the bathtub, got in and touched your mouth or even get into the tub with a cut or an open wound. You’re always in danger of being infected, especially when you are already sick.

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Bathroom Vanity Types

Mounted Shelf Vanities:

Something as basic as a shelf mounted under or next to a mirror can serve with a pedestal or wall sink to make one of the simplest bathroom vanities. This option is cheap, easy to install and easy to maintain. The only drawback is the design because no matter how fancy your shelf it, it might stand out like a sore thumb, unless you do something really special with it.

Wall Mounted Vanities:

Wall mounted bathroom vanities are very popular. Over the years, some innovation in its design has gone into some of the unit on the market. Wall mounted vanities are normally eye catching. They create an illusion of extra space because they are affixed directly onto the wall. These vanities leave a sizeable gap between the bottom of the unit and the floor. The materials used in their construction vary according to the vanity you purchase. Some incorporate glass, stone, wood, metal or any combination of these materials. A careful combination of different materials can add a great deal of style and personality to your bathroom. Wall mounted vanities are versatile but they do require reinforced walls and their installation is quite complex. They are unlikely to be a viable choice if you have a tight budget.

Traditional Cabinet-Style Vanities:

Cabinets are the most common style and they can be found in most bathrooms. They can be mounted anywhere along the wall, in a corner or even semi recessed for those who require extra space. In some cases, vanities can be free standing units which have been converted from other furniture.

Materials:

The most common material used to construct vanities in wood in one form or another. It could be furniture quality exposed wood or laminated particle board. The benchtop is usually the main factor when materials are chosen. A stone benchtop is very popular because it is relatively easy to maintain and it looks attractive. The types of stone used for benchtops are granite, marble and cornerstone. Other benchtop materials include glass, which can be used to highlight textured materials underneath while keeping them protected from moisture. Porcelain is easy to maintain but is normally only available in white, which makes it unsuitable in many bathrooms. Acrylic or laminate coatings over a chipboard base are normally the cheapest options and they are more than durable enough to last a long time. These are also available in a very broad range of textures and colours.

Handles and Hinges:

Choosing a bathroom vanity also involves choosing the right hinges and handles. Soft-closing hinges are very popular because they ensure the doors do not slam shut. This is accomplished by dampening the hinge towards the end. They add a layer of luxury to your bathroom but they are a bit pricey.

There are a huge variety of different styles of drawer ad cabinet handles you can choose from. These range is style from very plain to extremely elaborate. Elaborate is great if it fits the look of your bathroom, but you should consider how the style you choose will stand the test of time. What might be very trendy this year, can be forgotten in a few years.

Dual Sink Units:

If your bathroom is a very busy spot in the house, you may need to consider a two-sink vanity unit. A two sink unit has the benefit of allowing two people to get ready at the same time, without fighting over space. This can save everyone a few valuable minutes in the morning and it makes your bathroom more comfortable. Please note that a dual sink unit will require considerable more space and it is more expensive.

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