Several studies were done to find out where exactly fecal coliform, staph bacteria and other yeast and mold's like to grow in our houses. A NSF International study of US homes shows that nearly 77% of the sponges and dishcloths in our kitchens contain coliform bacteria. These are typically the bacteria that cause severe problems. The countertops, well over 50% of them had some form of serious bacterial growth. And here's the really scary part, nearly 100% of the kitchen sinks contain dangerous bacteria and molds.
So, what do we do to keep ourselves healthy? Actually, it's really easy and washing is one of the easiest ways to do it. When it comes to cleaning, simple really is better. And you have all of the ingredients you need... in your kitchen pantry.
White vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda have been pit as cleaning agents against the strongest and most powerful disinfectants. In nearly every single one of the categories, the vinegar, juice and baking soda cleaned as well, if not better, than the powerful disinfectants.
Here's the main reason why. Cleaning products that use disinfectants, bleach or alcohol only kill some bacteria. They don't kill viruses, parasites or even the strongest of the bacteria. The only way to kill viruses is to wash them off, something the vinegar and baking soda are very good at. If there's any kind of grease or residue left on your countertops and sinks, the cleaning products don't work. Lemon juice and vinegar work very well at dissolving grease and fats.
When it comes to your cutting boards, make sure you replace them often and make sure they're wood. Wood cutting boards will absorb the bacteria into their interiors, where the bacteria will die. Otherwise, washing your cutting boards with the vinegar helps remove the residue and surface bacteria. Never use harsh chemicals on your cutting board because they could get into your food.
Here's a last little note. Using antibacterial hand soap or detergent may be harmful to your health. And they just don't work. For one thing, studies demonstrating the effectiveness of anti-bacterial soaps typically test them by having people scrub for 60 to 90 seconds or longer. That's far more than what most people scrub in their homes. Other studies show that people who wash their hands for 30 seconds at a time, six times a day with antibacterial soap have bacteria counts that were no lower than in people who used ordinary, non-antibacterial soap and warm water.
Here's what the FDA says: the agency does not have evidence that triclosan, the common antibacterial agent, in antibacterial soaps and body washes provide any benefit over washing with regular soap and water. In fact, the FDA is considering a ban on this chemical because it may affect the body's regulation of hormones.
Our grandparents had it right. Wash with the simple soap and water, uses simple cleaning agents like vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda and put a little bit elbow grease into your washing. The superbugs only started appearing after we began using harsh chemicals.
So, what do we do to keep ourselves healthy? Actually, it's really easy and washing is one of the easiest ways to do it. When it comes to cleaning, simple really is better. And you have all of the ingredients you need... in your kitchen pantry.
White vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda have been pit as cleaning agents against the strongest and most powerful disinfectants. In nearly every single one of the categories, the vinegar, juice and baking soda cleaned as well, if not better, than the powerful disinfectants.
Here's the main reason why. Cleaning products that use disinfectants, bleach or alcohol only kill some bacteria. They don't kill viruses, parasites or even the strongest of the bacteria. The only way to kill viruses is to wash them off, something the vinegar and baking soda are very good at. If there's any kind of grease or residue left on your countertops and sinks, the cleaning products don't work. Lemon juice and vinegar work very well at dissolving grease and fats.
When it comes to your cutting boards, make sure you replace them often and make sure they're wood. Wood cutting boards will absorb the bacteria into their interiors, where the bacteria will die. Otherwise, washing your cutting boards with the vinegar helps remove the residue and surface bacteria. Never use harsh chemicals on your cutting board because they could get into your food.
Here's a last little note. Using antibacterial hand soap or detergent may be harmful to your health. And they just don't work. For one thing, studies demonstrating the effectiveness of anti-bacterial soaps typically test them by having people scrub for 60 to 90 seconds or longer. That's far more than what most people scrub in their homes. Other studies show that people who wash their hands for 30 seconds at a time, six times a day with antibacterial soap have bacteria counts that were no lower than in people who used ordinary, non-antibacterial soap and warm water.
Here's what the FDA says: the agency does not have evidence that triclosan, the common antibacterial agent, in antibacterial soaps and body washes provide any benefit over washing with regular soap and water. In fact, the FDA is considering a ban on this chemical because it may affect the body's regulation of hormones.
Our grandparents had it right. Wash with the simple soap and water, uses simple cleaning agents like vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda and put a little bit elbow grease into your washing. The superbugs only started appearing after we began using harsh chemicals.
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