These are the 7 gross sins that a whole lot of people are guilty of
Sometimes FavorFlav’s Adeline almost panics and throws that dirty, greasy dishcloth out of the kitchen. Which means it has been left stinking on her counter for far longer than allowed. It’s a veritable breeding ground for bacteria, but did you know we do many more disgusting things in (and outside) our homes?
Look, I’m not exactly a great housekeeper. But I do make a brave attempt to keep that teeming mass of microorganisms under control. Or well, that’s what I thought. Actually, I’m a slob in the making, because I keep my shoes on indoors. And that’s only one of the seven sins when it comes to hygiene.
The dishcloth
Hold on tight: millions of bacteria live on a single square centimeter of your dishcloth. MILLIONS (and billions after 24 hours), how utterly disgusting. I see opportunities here for a self-cleaning countertop or dishcloths that dissolve after 24 hours. But until then… new day, new cloth. Promise.
The overflow thing in your sink
You know, that thing where the water runs away when your sink gets too full? That hole on the side. Let’s just call it an overflow thing. It’s absolutely disgusting to look at, because almost nobody cleans it. I don’t know how you do it, but I hang over it with my nose every morning and evening while brushing my teeth. Uuugh. “Another illusion shattered.”
Wearing shoes indoors
I do kick them off when I collapse onto the couch in the evening, but otherwise? Nope. Shoes are my get-shit-done mode. They give me such a productive feeling, weird story, I know. But not anymore, because I’m simply walking toxic substances into my home. Yes, grass and asphalt are bursting with toxic nasties. And now for the real shocker: E. coli. Yes, the disgusting bacterium that loves hanging out in feces. I’m taking my shoes off right now.
Washing your hands after peeing
Men generally see little point in washing their hands after peeing. We ladies are much more diligent about it, but do you lather your hands with harsh stuff after using the bathroom? Don’t. With that antibacterial soap, you also rinse the protective substances down the drain. Incidentally, it’s better to wash your hands for 15 seconds without soap, and then for 5 seconds with it. Okaaay, another illusion shattered.
Clean sheets
Ha, I do this (he does, that is) every week. It’s because I’m addicted to crisp, rustling sheets. But single ladies, here’s a warning. More than half of single, happy men (those between 18 and 25, to be precise) change their bed linen only once every three months. Good grief, am I glad I have a cleaner. The Dutch average for changing bed linen is once every two weeks, by the way, which is not often enough. Those sheets need to go into the washing machine at 60 degrees every week, because they’re teeming with fungi, dust mites and microscopic nasties. Oh yes, have you been struck down by the flu? Then twice a week, please.
Whether you like them raw
Sooo, eating healthy in January? A carrot with your water, cucumber on your cracker… Chop, chop, chop, across the cutting board. Go ahead and grab that antibacterial soap (figuratively speaking), because raw vegetables harbor some really, really nasty things, and that board isn’t helping. The intestinal bacterium makes another appearance here, too. Apart from the fact that you should cook, bake or stir-fry those vegetables, I have even worse news: the average cutting board contains more bacteria than a toilet seat.
Fancy a nice cup?
My support, my rock, my morning favorite. I’m talking about the coffee maker, of course. But secretly, it’s a dirty little thing. If you’re enjoying a strong cup with your sandwich (or açai, that works too, of course) and you taste something strange? Pour it down the sink, because your coffee maker needs a bath. A vinegar bath. Fungi love dark and damp places, voilà… that’s why.
Also read:
- 7 things you’d better not clean with baking soda
- 10 hilarious commercials from the past (with downright bizarre nutritional advice)
- The best-before date is making me paranoid
