For seniors aging in place at their homes, one of the most important tasks is maintaining household cleanliness, which can help protect seniors stay healthy in their homes and prevent them from falling ill. But in most every home, there are a number of objects that can pose an unknown danger and potentially have serious health effects.
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Sponges: The common household sponge is an everyday item most people have, and use it to help clean daily. Dirty dishes, spills on counters, the sponge is reached for many times every day. But in actuality, your sponge can be one of the dirtiest objects in your house. Wet sponges present an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, combining the damp conditions they love with the grime and goo they thrive on. Switching to paper towels, or washable dishcloths can help cut down on giving bacteria a haven to thrive in. Switching to a combination of bleach and water to clean kitchen surfaces will also kill bacteria present. Making sure to thoroughly wring out the sponge of excess water and letting it dry between uses will extend its lifespan, but it’s a good idea to replace it frequently.
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Vacuums: Dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and other allergies and irritants are not effectively contained in most vacuum filters, and can be spread around the house, actually making the problem worse. Looking for a vacuum with a high-efficiency HEPA filter will trap up to 99.9% of particles, reducing pollutants.
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Pillows: Your head isn’t the only thing resting on your pillow. Dust mites collect on pillows, feeding on discarded flakes of dead human skin, and given the proximity of your face, are easily breathed in. Washing pillowcases at least twice a month, and using allergen proof under the cases can help protect the pillows as well.