Thanksgiving: A gathering of family … and germs

I know I’m guilty of this. When you have company coming, it’s often the “visible” clutter and dirt you work to quickly remove.

But, Thanksgiving, like other large, family gatherings, means you’re going to have a lot of people — and a lot of exposure to germs.

A survey conducted recently by Clorox offered this insight:

• Before guests arrive, (65%) of those responding always clean the crumbs (visible debris, dirt and dust) and wash guest linens (63%) compared to fifty three percent who disinfect germ hot spots in the bathroom, kitchen and living room. 
• Overall survey responders reported cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting more frequently after guests leave than before they arrive or during their stay. 
• Nearly half of respondents mistakenly believe cleaning with soap and water kills bacteria (47%), and more than a third mistakenly believe it kills cold and flu viruses (39%).

This survey was put forth by a cleaning agent company, so, of course, the message is going to be that you need to disinfect and make your home more germ-free friendly.

But, that’s a good message, especially since you want to help prevent the spread of those little cold sniffles or other illnesses, like the flu.

According to a graphic created by The Clorox Company, some of the germ “hotspots” you might consider wiping down before and during family gatherings include (and I’ve added a few of my own):  

Refrigerator, microwave, oven, cabinet door handles

Kitchen and bathroom faucets

Doorknobs

Lightswitches

Telephones and remote controls

Toilet handles (go ahead and sanitize the entire toilet before company comes)

Doorbells

Smooth surfaces and countertops

You get the idea. And, yes, I know we should keep our homes clean all the time, but the reality is that sometimes, some of us, let the chores slip a little.

How do you keep your home always company-friendly and clean?

Or, do you have some cleaning tips you’d like to share?

– Linda Lynn

LLynn@opubco.com

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