Due to the humidity prevailing there, the bathroom is a privileged place for the spread of microorganisms. Stephane Gaye, an infectious disease specialist and hygienist, offers his advice for limiting the damage.
With the humidity of its environment, associated with wet towels from the shower and bath, the bathroom is one of the rooms in the house where the risk of germs spreading is highest. It’s a real playground. “The enemies are microscopic fungi that are ubiquitous in the foggy environment,” explains Stéphane Gaye, a former infectious disease physician and hygienist at the University Hospital of Strasbourg, now retired.
To avoid them, according to the doctor, two conditions must be met: “no moisture or porous surfaces; the smoother the surfaces, the less fungi stick to them and multiply.” To keep the room as clean as possible, you should wash it once or twice a week, but not only that.
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Ventilate
Let’s remind that fighting against fungi means fighting against humidity. So the instructions are clear. we ventilate to reduce vapor levels in the air. For non-functional VMC, the doctor recommends ventilation at least twice a day for 15 minutes. “It is not enough to open the window, there must be a current of air,” the infectious disease specialist explains. If that’s not possible, we can use a fan to create it.”
Leave the shower curtain open and dry your towels properly
Shower curtains and bath towels contribute greatly to bathroom humidity. To limit damage, “both should be completely dry within 1-3 hours of using them,” notes Stéphane Gaye. Otherwise, bacteria and microscopic fungi multiply.
Ideally, you should avoid plastic shower curtains, “because they never really dry,” comments the doctor. If we cannot do otherwise, “we choose hanging ‘S’ hooks so that we can remove the curtains as often as possible and dry them in the open air,” suggests Stephane Gaye.
After you have finished showering, it is best to leave the curtain open and ensure that it drains well. Be careful, fabric that changes color and becomes black, brown or green indicates the presence of fungus.
In winter, bath towels can be hung near the heater or on a heated towel rack. In summer, if you have them, it is better to spread them in the open air or on your balcony.
Wash your towels weekly
Stéphane Gaye recommends washing bath towels every week or every 15 days at a minimum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius to dilute germs. There is no obligation to cycle at 60 degrees. “Of course, this cycle has a more powerful antibacterial and antifungal effect, but it also uses more energy,” he explains.
Tartar hunting
This lime and magnesium build-up leaves white marks on the shower, sink and tub. If it “obstructs the ducts and has an unpleasant appearance, then it is also a support for the growth of bacteria and fungi,” notes the infectious disease specialist.
Ban the sponges
In order to wash the surfaces, according to the expert, you should avoid the classic rectangular sponge. “It never dries up, it always stays moist,” comments the doctor. When it turns black, it indicates the presence of fungus and should be discarded. The specialist recommends using microfiber brushes or sponges instead; and of course to ensure their drying.
Mop. avoid too much foam
To clean the floor, Stéphane Gaye recommends avoiding the classic mop and mop. In addition to never really drying out, they are difficult to rinse and clean. The doctor recommends giving preference to flat mops (which are attached to a broom holder) or microfiber models.
As for the foam in the bucket, “the less, the better,” insists Stéphane Gaye. It is the friction effect between the mop and the floor that will clean effectively. “The more moss there is, the less of this friction effect there is, and the less clean the floor will be.”
Clean the toilet
It’s no wonder toilets are hotbeds of germs. “They collect a lot of scales and dirt, everything comes together for the reproduction of fungi and bacteria,” says the infectious disease specialist.
To prevent toilets from contaminating the bathroom, “they should be cleaned with commercially available products (detergents and desalinizers), more powerful than natural products,” the doctor believes. Finally, it is necessary to keep the bathroom clean, close the toilet lid after each use. “Otherwise, we’re inhaling faecal bacteria that will become airborne,” warns Dr. Gayet. And especially on toothbrushes.”
Source: Le Figaro
