Cleaning for Health

Personal hygiene and regular housecleaning are essential to good health. Frequent handwashing is key to preventing the spread of microorganisms (also known as microbes or germs) that cause many common illnesses. And regular cleaning of surfaces in the home removes dirt and food particles on which germs can grow.

Some Facts About Germs and Disease

  • Germs are most often spread by hands through person-to-person contact.
  • Germs can enter our bodies through the mouth, nose, eyes and breaks in the skin without our even knowing we’ve been infected.
  • Poor personal hygiene by food handlers is the second leading cause of food-borne illness.
  • Germs can be transferred from inanimate surfaces to hands and vice-versa.
  • Some germs can live on dry surfaces (such as toys) for several hours and moist surfaces (like bathroom sinks) for up to three days.
  • Salmonella can survive freezing and can survive on dry surfaces for at least 24 hours.
  • The average kitchen dishcloth can contain 4 billion living germs.

Benefits of Disinfecting Household Surfaces

  • Surfaces like kitchen and bathroom counters, door knobs, toilet seats and children’s toys may be contaminated with bacteria even when they’re not visibly soiled.
  • Germs can be spread to other surfaces on dirty cleaning cloths and sponges.
  • Products that claim to kill germs must meet efficacy requirements and guidelines established by Health Canada before they are approved. Approved products receive a Drug Identification Number (DIN), which is displayed on the product’s label.
  • In order for surfaces to be effectively disinfected, the instructions on product labels need to be followed carefully.