Using a Sponge
When we think about the dirtiest room in the house, we may tend to think of the bathroom (and depending on who lives in the house, that may be the case!). But most often, the dirtiest room in the house is actually the kitchen, according to Dr. Phillip Tierno, Ph.D., director of clinical microbiology and diagnostic immunology at the New York University Langone Medical Center. Why so dirty? Because we’re essentially dealing with dead animal carcasses on our countertops and in the sink on a daily basis.
Most of us turn to one handy tool to clean off our kitchen surfaces after meals: the sponge. Because sponges come in contact with countless body fluids and other messes in the kitchen, these cleaning tools can carry E. coli, salmonella, and other viruses and bacteria. Essentially, using a sponge to clean countertops is really spreading germs evenly across our kitchen surfaces. And the longer you have your sponge, the dirtier it gets -- it can be teeming with millions of bacteria and other organisms with which you’re contaminating your countertops.
If you’re going to use a sponge to clean your countertops, dip the sponge into a solution of bleach and water first to kill off bacteria in the sponge and those bacteria to which you’ll be exposing the sponge while cleaning. Once you’ve finished cleaning, be sure to let the sponge dry thoroughly. You also can put your sponge in the dishwasher every few days and run the sanitize or heat dry cycle, or put your sponge in the microwave in a bowl of water for one to two minutes. By bringing the water to a boil, you’re killing off all the bacteria that have accumulated.
Sleeping With Your Makeup On
One of the nastiest things we can do to our skin is something that almost half of us are guilty of doing on a regular basis: sleeping with our makeup on. This unhealthy habit can wreak havoc on our skin -- aging it as much as 10 years over a two-month period. It clogs pores and makes us look worn and tired. But it’s not just our skin that pays the price when we forget to cleanse at bedtime.
Makeup can build up on pillows, and combined with oils and dead skin cells, can develop into a breeding ground for bacteria. When you toss and turn at night, that bacteria can get into small cuts in the skin and cause infections, or it can get into the eyes, along with the oils, waxes and chemicals left on them from residual eye makeup. These products can block glands, causing bumps in the skin around the eye or even a stye.
Staying Out Of The Sun (or Using Too Much Sunscreen)
Gone are the days of using tanning oils to get ourselves as dark as possible while exposing ourselves to cancer-causing rays. However, our bodies need vitamin D to stay strong, build healthy bones and boost our immune systems to keep illness at bay, and the only real way to get vitamin D into our systems is through sun exposure.
Sunscreens can prevent the body from getting adequate levels of vitamin D, so don’t be overly neurotic about applying sunscreen. If you’re going to spend the day at the pool or beach, you want to be sure to slather it on, but if you’re going to be out and about running errands or spending 20 minutes or less in the sun, skip the SPF and enjoy the sun on your skin. Not only will you get a healthy glow (and hopefully not a burn!), but you also will give yourself a daily dose of vitamin D. Keep in mind, your face is the one part of your body that should always have protection.
Not Getting Enough Sleep
Sleep is for the week…the week after (insert pressing item here), is an old cliche, but an unhealthy one. Tempting though it might be to squeak by on just a few hours of sleep or pull an all-nighter, not getting your rest can leave you feeling wiped out and leave your body more susceptible to infections like the cold and flu.
Getting adequate sleep (adults should be getting seven to nine hours of sleep per night) not only can leave you feeling refreshed and rested, but it also gives your body a chance to heal itself and prepare to fight off infections. Lack of sleep increases your risk for a number of disorders, including depression, diabetes and obesity.
Recognizing Office Etiquette (Or Lack Thereof)
Many of our offices are supplied with a plethora of communal dishes, silverware, mugs and other items to facilitate our daily lunches. These convenience items are also breeding grounds for illnesses, from colds to flu viruses and others, especially when not washed properly. If you use office dining ware, be sure to wash it thoroughly before you use it, even if you think it has already been cleaned. People may give a mug a quick rinse when in a hurry to get to a client meeting, or you may pick up a plate last used by your coworker, who is notorious for doing a terrible job washing dishes.
Even if it’s something as innocent as missing a spot on the rim of a glass while washing, your coworker (or you, if you’re the guilty party) exposes the office to germs he or she may carry. Your best bet to avoid joining in the office germ pool is to pre-wash any dishes you plan to use -- or bring your own with you to work.
Obsessing About Antibacterial Gels
During cold and flu season or while traveling through busy areas like airports, theme parks or destination resorts, carrying antibacterial hand gel is a great way to keep your hands clean and fight off infection. However, using these gels obsessively may lead to some sinister consequences.
Research has shown that antibacterial wipes and gels containing triclosan, including those used to wipe down shopping carts at food stores, may contribute to antibiotic-resistant bacteria and superbugs. If you plan to use an antibacterial hand gel, remember that an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is best because that is the only kind of sanitizer that kills cold and flu viruses.