What You Can Do to Keep Your House Clean

March 18 -- Germs are part of my life, what I do every day at work. I've been a microbiologist for more than 30-some-odd years. And I think it's important for individuals to understand that 80 percent of all infectious disease is contracted by contacting or touching.

It is the interface of individuals, one with another, and their environment, that causes infection. I'm not a believer in living in a bubble. But I am a believer in cutting down on the unnecessary infections. People don't realize that in the home, 50 percent to 80 percent of food-borne illnesses are contracted by items that are handled in the home. And 60 percent to 65 percent of all colds are contracted in the home.

Wash Your Hands

Of course, the most important thing to be learned in the home is to wash your hands. In 80 percent of all infectious diseases transmitted by contact, both direct and indirect, washing your hands can become the No. 1-critical thing to do for your own protection.

People don't wash their hands. If 80 percent of all infectious disease is transmissible by contact both directly and indirectly, hand-washing is like a godsend. That's something everybody should be doing, after food prep, after contamination, before eating or drinking anything, and after using a restroom. It's common sense.

To wash hands effectively, wet your hands and lather with soap. Then rub the soapy water all over your hands and fingers, not forgetting to clean under your fingernails, for 20 or 30 seconds. Rinse, and repeat. For your health's sake, you should wash your hands several times during the course of the day. At a minimum you should do so before eating, after using a bathroom facility, and after contaminating your hands with a cough or sneeze.

Cross Contamination

An example of cross contamination is easily illustrated by using a chicken that is infected with salmonella. You cut up the chicken and wash away the remains. You use a sponge to clean up the mess. After rinsing the sponge, you may use it to clean up a countertop, or an appliance — where you apply those germs that were from the chicken to the refrigerator door or a countertop. Individuals may come in after you've cleaned and pick up the salmonella.