Germs are hidden in unlikely nook and corners, leading to cough, cold and other health problems. According to a US-based research, adults have 2-3 colds a year, and kids have it more than 4-5 times. The cause for nagging health irritants is bacteria lurking in everyday spots, from your remote control to the soap dispenser. Here is a list of seemingly innocent places that are hiding nasty germs and how you can counter them with simple hygiene tricks.

Your toothbrush

Ever thought of germs while brushing your teeth? If not, think now because moist surfaces like toothbrush bristles are a safe haven for bacteria.  

Beat bacteria: Place toothbrush in a clean and dry place where it can dry thoroughly. And make sure it’s not close to the flush. 

Salt and pepper shaker

The harmless looking salt and pepper holder, according to a study by University of Virginia, can harbour close to 41 per cent of cold viruses. Remember, they are not scrubbed clean every day and lie on the table top, which is a hot bed of dirt, dust and germs.

Beat bacteria: Wipe these holders daily with a clean cloth. Wash your hands before you touch it so that you don’t end up transferring germs from your hand onto the shaker.

Doormat 

This one welcomes more than just you – mats are full of germs from shoes. A study found that almost 95 per cent of shoe soles have traces of coliform, fecal bacteria, that can lead to stomach ailments.

Beat bacteria: Spray the doormat with a safe disinfectant once a week. 

TV remote control

Now this is one thing that stays in every family member’s hands, is dropped on the floor often and is even coughed on. After handling so much, is it surprising, as revealed by a study that remote controls are likely resting places for rhinovirus – a germ that can cause the common cold! Basically, anything people touch a lot has germs on it.

Beat bacteria: Cleaning the remote regularly with disinfecting wipes can reduce the amount of germs. 

Condiment bottles in eateries

The ketchup bottle on the restaurant tabletop is a lot grimier than you think. You cannot be sure if the diner before you or the helpers washed their hands before touching it.

Beat bacteria: Disinfect hands with a sanitiser after using the condiment tray and before you begin eating.

Public soap dispensers

Soap holders in public restrooms is a breeding ground of germs. Most of these containers are rarely cleaned and the surface is touched by many people.

Beat bacteria: Scrub hands for minimum 15 seconds with lukewarm water after touching the dispenser. 

Sports kit

The cricket ball that has rolled in sand …the racquet that has braved weeks of sweat and more. Surely, your sports kit has plenty of germs that can affect your health.

Beat bacteria: Sports equipment is easy to disinfect as it belongs to you and is not common property. Scrape off mud from the surface of football, cricket bat, etc. with a clean cloth to which few drops of disinfectant have been added. 

How to clean your computer

Do you know that the keyboard of your computer or laptop can be home to harmful bacteria like E.Coli that can lead to serious health problems? Yes, several studies have claimed that a computer is dirtier than a toilet. Since the machine is also too complex to clean, most of the times we do not pay attention to its hygiene. But we dig out the easiest way you can clean your machine.

Keyboard: To clean your keyboard, pour some white vinegar on a microfibre cloth and scrub the keyboard thoroughly.

Screen: To clean the screen, take a microfibre cloth and wipe gently in a circular motion.

Crevices: Use a cotton ball soaked in vinegar to clean difficult-to-reach areas that need more attention. tnn