8 Innocent “Hygienic” Habits That Secretly Ruin Our Health

Everyone has a unique routine that they follow every day. These things are so repetitive and regular that they become a habit. Cleaning and cooking are a big part of this routine. Usually, we do these things by either learning from our elders, observing others or creating our own ritual according to our needs. We clean our dishes in a certain way, use hot water for washing our hands or simply have coffee at the workplace from the machine – sounds hygienic and simple enough, right? Surprisingly, these are some of the not-so-healthy habits that are harmful to our health.

We have listed 8 such habits that we follow blindly every day, which are actually doing more harm than you’d reckon. Read on to find out!

1. Washing Hands With Hot Water

We always thought that washing our hands with hot water kills the germs and cleans our hands in a better way. But according to some researchers, the temperature of the water does not have any impact on killing germs. They say that the time spent in washing hands is crucial rather than the temperature. Washing hands for 25 to 30 seconds could kill the germs and clean your hands.

Furthermore, frequently washing hands in hot water can cause irritation to the skin and lead to problems like dermatitis (1).

2. Drying Hands With A Hand Dryer

Hand dryers are very common in public places. Although we think that they are hygienic as no one touches them, they are just the opposite! As a matter of fact, they spread a lot of bacteria along with the airflow. Such germs enter our lungs and even affect our skin. The best way to dry one’s hands is with a paper towel.

3. Soak The Dishes In The Sink

Soaking the dishes in the sink is something we all do almost every day. The problem with a sink full of dirty dishes soaked in them is that it’s an ideal environment for the germs to thrive. This might cause stomach disorders. The sink comes in contact with food like vegetables, milk products, meat and fish, to name a few. It is better to clean the sink thoroughly, not only after washing the dishes but also after it comes in contact with such food items.

4. Reusing A Food Bag

Now, you may wonder how this can be unhealthy. Well, it has a lot of germs in it because of the things we carry in it. Vegetables and fruits are among common items in our food bag, so is raw meat. Even if the meat is packed, chances are high that the bacteria will spread to the other items and eventually the bag itself (2).

A simple solution to this problem is to either use a paper bag. Otherwise, wash your food bag every time after using.

5. Using The Same Cutting Board For Vegetables And Meat

Cutting raw meat and vegetables on the same board increases the chances of cross-contamination (3). The juices from the meat, fruits, and vegetables may seep into the cutting boards, which produces a perfectly good place to help the bacteria grow.

Hence, try and utilize different boards for meats and vegetables.

6. Drink Coffee From The Office Coffee Machine

It turns out that the water reservoir in the coffee machine has the largest number of bacteria. Even the outlet of the machine has germs, up to some extent. It is recommended to clean the machine often with vinegar. Using water and dishwashing soap is also a good idea in terms of cleaning.

However, this can be achieved at home, but certainly not at the office. Making a single serving of coffee for yourself and avoiding the machine altogether is a safer option.

7. Leaving Winter Clothes In The Laundry Bag For A Long Time

When winter is over, we do tend to keep the warm clothes in the laundry bag to clean it later. What we do not take into consideration is the fact that these clothes come in contact with our mouths and noses. Keeping such clothes without washing gives germs a place to party! It is recommended to clean these clothes every 2 weeks, especially the scarves and gloves.

8. Defrost Food At Room Temperature

Thawing meat and fish on the kitchen counter is a habit that almost everyone has. But the sudden change in temperature affects the process and, ultimately, the quality of the food. It helps the germs to multiply. Hence, it is advised to defrost the food in a refrigerator rather than at room temperature.

See how little habits make a lot of difference? We are sure that you will change these habits and make new ones that are actually healthy. Some you need to change completely, while some need a little tweaking here and there. Do not forget to share this with your friends and help them out!

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Chandrama Deshmukh

   

Creativity has no limits. And words have no barriers. Together they can create magic, bridge all gaps.I work with words. Words that sound great, words that make sense, words that sell and words that tell..

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