6 SURPRISINGLY DIRTY PLACES IN YOUR HOME

If you dropped a piece of fruit in your kitchen sink while rinsing it, would you think twice about popping it in your mouth? What if you dropped it in the toilet? Germs, like cold viruses and bacteria can live in some unexpected spots. Here are six surprisingly dirty places in your home - like your kitchen sink - and what you can do to protect yourself.

1. THE KITCHEN SINK: Although the mere thought of retrieving anything from your toilet bowl may be enough to make you sick, your toilet may be cleaner than your kitchen sink. Food particles from plates left to soak or rinsed from dishes on their way to the dishwasher can serve as a breeding ground for illness-causing bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella. They can get on your hands or spread to foods. Sanitize your sink with a solution of bleach and water once a day and let the solution run down the drain. Remember to clean the drain plug,too.

2. YOUR TOOTHBRUSH: You put it into your mouth twice a day, but do you ever think of all the germs luring on it? If the germs from your own mouth weren't enough to contaminate your toothbrush, the germs from your toilet certainly are. Flushing the toilet sends a spray of bacteria and virus contaminated water droplets into the air. These germs can float around in the bathroom for at least two hours after each fluch before landing on surfaces - including your toothbrush. Place your toothbrush where it can air out and dry between uses - but not too close to the toilet. Also, replace your toothbrush often, particularly after you have been sick, and close your toilet lid before flushing.

3. YOUR SALT AND PEPPER SHAKER: Could one of the dirtiest places in your home be right on the table where you eat? According to a 2008 study, researchers asked 30 adults who were beginning to show signs of a cold, to name 10 places they had touched in their homes over the previous 18 hours. The researchers tested those areas for cold viruses. The tests found viruses on 41% of the surfaces tested, and every one of the salt and pepper shakers tested were positive for cold viruses. When you wipe the kitchen table after eating, wipe off the salt and pepper shaker too.

4. YOUR TV REMOTE CONTROL: It's dropped on the floor, stuffed between the sofa cushions, coughed on and sneezed at. Everyone in the house handles it. A University of Virginia study of cold viruses on household surfaces showed the remote control's surface is among the germiest. Researchers found that half of the remote controls tested were positive for cold viruses. Wipe your remote with a bleach or alcohol wipe. Aside from that, regular hand-washing is the best way to protect yourself against these germs.

5. YOUR COMPUTER KEYBOARD: If you eat at your computer, sneeze on your keyboard, or sit down to surf the Internet without first washing your hands, your computer keyboard could be a health hazard. In a recent study researchers swabbed keyboards for germs and found a host of potentially harmful bacteria, including E. coli and staph. Four of 33 sampled keyboards had enough germs to be considered health hazards. Wash your hands before and after using your computer. If you must eat at your desk, don't drop crumbs into your keyboard. To clean your keyboard, gently shake out the crumbs or vacuum it. Wipe the keys with alcohol or bleach wipes, but nothing "too wet," and don't forget to wipe the mouse.

6. YOUR BATHTUB: The place where you clean yourself is not so clean itself. A recent study found staph bacteria in 26% of the tubs tested. A separate study had even worse findings for whirlpool tubs. The main reason whirlpool tubs are so dirty has to do with the lining of the pipes. Water tends to get trapped in the pipes, providing a breeding ground for bacteria. When you turn on the jets, the germy water spouts out into the tub where you are soaking. Clean and disinfect your tub with bleach or bathroom cleaner after bathing, then dry with a clean towel. For whirlpool tubs, the best way to prevent bacteria from accumulating is to clean out the pipes.

Lots of germs are harmless, many are even good for your health. You can help protect yourself from those that aren't by keeping your hands clean. Your hands transfer bacteria and viruses to your eyes, nose and mouth. They can also transfer germs to others. The CDC recommends regular hand washing with soap and water, washing your hands for 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer gels can be used to kill germs, but they should not replace hand washing. Hand sanitizers can build up on the hands, so you should wash your hands the regular way after every fourth use.

source: www.webmd.com