Simple Facts about Bacteria
Some of the more common (harmful) types found in homes are:
E. coli: Contact with fecal waste, then improper hand washing before eating, preparing food or touching your mouth.
C. Botulinium: Cause of botulism which can be a fatal food-borne illness. Found in the soil and on fresh food surfaces.
Clostridium Perfringens: Can be tracked in from soil outdoors. If ingested, it causes diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Staphylococcus: Staph can be found just about anywhere including hair, skin, nasal areas, throat, textiles and home surfaces.
Salmonella: Can be carried into the home on beef, poultry, milk, eggs and vegetables. Improper hand washing and food handling methods allow it to spread to other surfaces.
Understanding the simple facts about bacteria and how it grows and spreads is the starting point in learning how to keep the homes we care for clean and healthy.
Since there are such a wide variety of bacterial organisms and we are in no way claiming to be biologists, we are not going to attempt to explain all of the different types so we will collectively call them all “Bacteria.” But what we do know as cleaning professionals, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves, our employees, and clients as best we can on what bacteria is and how we can clean for health. After all, our clients are relying on us to keep their home not only clean, but safe for their family and friends.
Bacteria Reproduction Facts
- Bacteria reproduce by dividing. Once the cell reaches its maximum size it starts to come together in the middle and eventually breaks in two. This process can take 15 to 30 minutes.
- In just 5 hours, one bacterium can turn into over 1 million bacteria.
- Since you would rarely start with just 1 bacterium on any given surface, bacteria can spread into millions and billions of bacteria very quickly.
How Bacteria Spread
A bacterium doesn't spread on its own. Here are some ways bacteria find their way onto other surfaces:
- People are carriers of bacteria and can pass the bacteria to others in a variety of ways.
- They can travel through the air when someone sneezes.
- We deposit them on objects we touch, so bacteria can literally be anywhere. Cleaning companies must pay particular attention to "touch points" like door knobs, telephones and TV remotes when cleaning and disinfecting.
- Animals and insects can carry bacteria.
- Carried into homes on food products.
Methods of Killing Bacteria
- Heat - this method can include sterilization (steam under pressure), moist heat (autoclaves), boiling, and dry heat (hot air sterilization).
- Cold - cold doesn't actually kill bacteria, but it inhibits the growth.
- Direct sunlight or ultraviolet light.
- Chemical Agents like disinfectants or germicides.
By having an understanding of bacteria and how it spreads, you can make more informed choices on the products you choose to use and what areas may be at higher risk of bacteria growth.
Interesting Facts About Bacteria:
- Refrigerator salad drawers often contain many times the level of bacteria considered safe, including E.coli, salmonella and listeria, Make sure to empty and wipe out regularly.
- The average kitchen sink contains 100,000 times more germs than the bathroom.
- Kitchen sponges are the number one source of germs in the entire home and can harbor billions of bacteria! Change out sponges regularly to avoid infection. Tip -Microwaving a sponge on high for two minutes kills 99% of germs.
- Recent research has found that 50% of TV remote controls tested positive for cold viruses. A regular wipe with an antibacterial cleaner will eliminate these and other viruses and bacteria.
- An average person sheds 14 million dead skin cells per night. Mites and their feces are a common cause of asthma and allergies so change bedding at least once a week and wash on a hot cycle.
- Up to 1 in 8 computer keyboards could be regarded a "health hazard". Dust and food tidbits can be shaken or vacuumed out, then keys disinfected with disinfecting wipes.
- Dead skin cells and moisture provide a perfect breeding ground for bacteria on our bath towels. Change towels at least once a week, wash them on the hot water setting, then into the dryer.
- House dust is comprised of decomposing insect parts, human hair, pet hair, particles from textiles, pillows, carpet, bedding, mattresses, pollen grains, mold spores, bacteria, skin flakes, dust mites and its fecal material. Vacuum instead of sweeping and use microfiber cloths and mops to collect the dust, not spread it around.
- Research found that 50% of vacuum cleaner brushes contained bacteria. Spray with disinfectant after use.
Wrap-up:
"You're more likely to get sick from a germ in your own house than from any other source," says Kelly A. Reynolds, PhD, an environmental microbiologist at the University of Arizona.
It should be your goal and responsibility as a professional in the cleaning industry to make the informed decisions on delivering the highest quality and most appropriate cleaning program for the client's home in order to create a healthy and safe home environment for their family and friends.
Cleaning Chemistry Basics Webinar
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In order to clean professionally, cleaning companies must understand the basics of cleaning chemistry. It is critical to choose the right cleaner for the type of soil being removed and the surface being cleaned. Without this knowledge, you or your employees risk damaging client property.
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