Page 18 - Florida Sentinel 7-14-17

Health
Your mouth plays host to hundreds of different kinds of bacteria, so it's not surprising that your toothbrush likely does as well. That could explain why the thing that holds it is one of the dirti-
est places in most homes, third behind the dreaded kitchen sponge in how many bacteria can be found there. Stick that sucker in the dishwasher every week (if it's dishwasher safe), or clean it with hot, soapy water, and wipe with disinfectant.
TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER
You may not have thought of this one. The part that holds the water is one of the germiest spots in the home because bacteria thrive in its dark, damp en- vironment.
To clean it, fill it with a few cups of vinegar and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then turn the machine on and run the vinegar through it. After that, do an- other run-through with clean water.
COFFEE MAKER
It looks harmless enough, but it's probably the dirtiest thing in your house. That's because it comes in
contact with so many surfaces. It can have mold, E. Coli and salmonella, and other things that cause allergic reactions and serious illness.
Microwave your wet kitchen sponge for 2 minutes a day and change it out every 2 weeks.
KITCHEN SPONGE
The areas where you pre- pare food are more likely to be home to dangerous bac- teria like salmonella and E. coli than anywhere else in your home. That's especially true when they also come in contact with the kitchen sponge, phones, purses, and
even pets.
Wipe them down daily with hot soapy water, and sanitize
with a cleaner recommended for your countertops.
COUNTERTOPS
When you rinse raw meat, fruits, or vegetables, the bacteria have to go somewhere -- and that's in your sink. (You also probably wipe it down with
that kitchen sponge.) To keep it clean, disinfect sink sides and bottoms twice a week, and pour a so- lution of one teaspoon bleach in a quart of water down drains once a month.
These may not be on your regular cleaning list, but perhaps they should be. Think about how often you touch them and then about how
often you wash them.
Take them off and clean them in hot, soapy
water once a week.
STOVE KNOBS
KITCHEN SINK
It turns out that the faucet handles in the bathroom sink have more germs on them than the toilet handle or the bathroom door knob. Clean both your bathroom and kitchen faucet handles daily with disinfectant.
Pet dishes are one of the top 5 germiest places in homes. But you can't exactly ask Fido to wash them, so you'll have to do it yourself -- daily
with hot soapy water or in the dishwasher. Once a week, soak them in a bleach solution -- 1 cap per gallon of water -- for about 10 minutes.
DOG BOWL
BATHROOM FAUCET
PAGE 6-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2017