A few changes to your housekeeping routine can lower the amount of bacteria in your home. Germs mainly spread from person to person, either through contact or touching shared surfaces. Here's how to maintain a healthy living space.

How to Reduce Germs in Your Home

1. Encourage Sanitary Habits

Wash your hands frequently throughout the day. Use warm water and soap, and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Wash the palms, backs, wrists, between the fingers, and under the nails.

Also, remind your family to cover their mouths with their elbow when they cough or sneeze to prevent germs from getting into the air or onto their hands. Finally, have family and visitors take their shoes off at the door to avoid tracking in dirt and germs.

2. Clean Communal Areas Frequently

Your housekeeping routine should include sanitizing the areas of your home where family members are most likely to pick up germs. Doorknobs and light switches are some of the biggest offenders. Electronic devices also need to be wiped down regularly.

Tables and counters where food is prepared and eaten tend to accumulate germs, as does the bathroom. Your bed sheets also need regular washing. Most of these surfaces should be cleaned daily, and you should wash your bedding weekly.

3. Use the Right Products

Some house cleaning products are more effective than others. First, make sure to choose products labeled as "disinfecting" when possible, rather than "sanitizing" or "antibacterial.”

Disinfecting products are regulated and must kill 99.999% of germs, while sanitizing products are only required to kill 99.9%, meaning they leave 100 times as many germs behind. There are no performance standards at all for antibacterial products.

Once you're clear on which labels to look for, choose housekeeping products designed for the surfaces you need to clean; this information will be on the packaging. Follow directions, including leaving the product in place long enough to kill the germs. Don't just wipe it up immediately or it won't have time to act.

To get the most effective clean from an insured and bonded professional, contact Right Cleaning in Brooklyn, NY. Serving all of New York City and Long Island, they offer a range of cleaning service options. They always use nontoxic cleaners to ensure a safe and sanitary environment. Call (212) 655-7153 to schedule housekeeping or visit their website to see options and pricing.