Keeping Your Home Bathroom Germ-Free

The bathroom is a place where we clean ourselves but it is also a place where microbes live because of the favorable environment. So here are some ways you can minimize microbial growth in your bathroom:

1. Always remember that most microbes thrive on water and they are mostly mesophiles which means they live in normal temperatures. So always keep places where you keep your toothbrush, sponge, facial wash and/or shave dry.
2. Use disinfectant sometimes but not often. If you clean your bathroom daily, do so, but don't use disinfectants as often. Disinfectants will dilute most microbes; however microbes develop a factor for defences against common disinfectants. So more resistant microbes will thrive in your bathroom because the less resistant has either adapted to the disinfectant or that less resistant microbes have already dissipated and are replaced by more resistant ones with no more competition in the environment.
3. Keep soaps away from cleaners. Soaps are disinfectant for your body and not for the tiles of your bathroom. Use separate storage for your cleaners and soaps and other toiletries, because they can cause harm to your skin or your kids' sensitive skin.
4. Do not keep wet towels together and place it on the hamper or hang them over each other after use. Because wet environments are favorable to microbes it is advisable to dry them separately and not on the same hanger or place. This will also prevent you from having smelly towels.
5. If your tiles already have moulds, steer clear of it. Use disinfectants and ethyl alcohol to kill the microbes and then brush it with cleansers. Also advise your kids to wear slippers in the bathroom when there are moulds. Moulds can cause fungi infection and allergies.
6. Use gloves when cleaning. You could get blisters while cleaning your bathroom and using a scrub. So use gloves to avoid rashes and blisters. When you get blisters, it would become the entry of the microbes and this could cause the start of an infection. If you did get blisters while cleaning, wash your hands with soap and then alcohol if you can withstand the stingy feeling you get when using it.
7. And, last but not the least is that if you have a wide window or if you have a floor to ceiling window, then it is advisable to have a curtain that has the same size as the window and has a neutral shade. The curtain should not become the focal point of the bathroom; instead it should just help accentuate the whole bathroom. Always remember to keep the things in your bathroom dry and well aired to prevent the buildup of of mould and unhealthy bacteria.

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Apartment Bathroom Decorating Tips

It's perhaps the least thought of room in your new apartment, yet far and away the one that almost everyone who visits will remember the most -the bathroom! Yes, whether your floorplan allows for a closet-size commode (complete with crescent moon cutout on the door) or a gigantic bath suite fit for a king (including a throne!), your bathroom is sure to leave a lasting impression on all who enter.

First things first - get cleaning pal! There are few more off-putting things than a grimy sink coated with hard water soap scum, although your don't-look-directly-at-it toilet is in close contention. Get some heavy-duty cleaner (something with bleach is ideal), and get scrubbing. Drop in 'toilet cakes' can be a great way to keep your bowl so fresh and so clean, but if you have pets be sure and read the label, as many are hazardous to animals. And a plunger is NOT an optional accessory! Buy one and leave it there, the more expensive the model the better (it will pay for itself with one disaster-avoiding use).

Some unsightly issues might be beyond your control; odds are good, for example, that your apartment community manager might frown on you tearing up the floor tiles. Try adding a new floor rug instead - you'll be amazed by how much it livens up a drab floor. Try and avoid clutter around the sink by purchasing a small item holder. You can find very fashionable ones at stores such as Target that are perfect for collecting your toothbrush, comb and razor into one stylish carousel. Remember, the under-sink cupboard is there for a reason, so hide bulky items such as the hairdryer and curling iron out of sight.

Towels are something most people use every day but never feel the need to update, so ditch that Spuds Mckenzie beach number you've had since 1987 and get some real thread count going. Consider throwing on a new coat of paint and add a matching new shower curtain and you'll be amazed at the results. Last but not least, add a scented candle for some pleasant ambiance, and you'll finally have an apartment bathroom worth bragging over.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trey_Huguley