Why your shower head may not be working too well.
Once again it's that time of the year to spring-clean your house. Clearing out wardrobes, mopping behind the shelves, wiping those hard-to-reach places, perhaps even giving the walls a fresh coat of paint, many of us want our houses to make us proud when we host our relatives and friends over the Chinese New Year holidays!
Appearances count, but it sure isn't the only thing that should matter to the occupants of your house. Is your house as clean and healthy is it should be? Why are pests like cockroaches and flies still making themselves at home? Why are the kids getting diarrhoea despite not eating anything they shouldn't? Here is a list of common spots that even the most conscientious housekeeper may overlook:
Appearances count, but it sure isn't the only thing that should matter to the occupants of your house. Is your house as clean and healthy is it should be? Why are pests like cockroaches and flies still making themselves at home? Why are the kids getting diarrhoea despite not eating anything they shouldn't? Here is a list of common spots that even the most conscientious housekeeper may overlook:
Shower head
The once steady waterfall from the showerhead regressing
into paltry sprinkles is a common problem that happens over time. And the company that makes the shower head gets all the blame for substandard products when it's usually not their fault. If you don’t wipe the shower head often,
mineral deposits from the water will clog it, causing the flow of water to be less
smooth. In addition, because that area is often moist from water, algae may
eventually settle in. No elaboration is needed for one to imagine how
gross that is. Dirty shower heads can even lead to skin problems like acne.
Cleaning the showerhead is quite simple. Pour white vinegar
into a small plastic bag and wrap the showerhead securely with it at night when
not in use. (The idea is to cover the showerhead in vinegar overnight). The next morning,
use a brush to scrub off the residue, and the shower head’s as good as new!
Flush handles and
buttons
We usually flush the toilet right after using it and before
washing our hands. It’s quite obvious how dirty it can be. Keep a disinfecting
spray in the toilet so you can use it each time after you flush. Alternatively,
wiping the handle/button with undiluted white vinegar helps too.
Toothbrush holder
Toothbrush holders are breeding grounds for mildew and
algae, especially when you put your wet toothbrush in it to air dry, or if you
rinse your mouth with it. At least wipe the handle of your toothbrush dry
before putting it in. Wipe the inside of the holder if it looks wet, and once a
week, wash the holder in warm, soapy water, or wipe it with a wet, soapy cloth
if it’s not detachable.
Light switches
Almost everyone in the household touches them in a day, yet
they’re often overlooked. The bathroom light switch in particular, is a
breeding ground for bacteria. Don’t forget to wipe down the switch regularly
with an antibacterial cleaner. Refrain from using water, and make sure to wipe
it dry if the cleaner is in liquid / mist form. While electrocution from
touching a wet plastic switch is not very likely, the water may enter and
infiltrate the wiring, causing electrical problems.
Door knobs are also things we touch everyday but we don’t often think of cleaning. Just use a clean wipe cloth to wipe down all the door knobs in your house once a day to prevent dirt and grime from accumulating.
More places and tips to come next week!
