(Last Updated On: March 24, 2023)

Ridding Your Home of Bacteria

Getting rid of bacteria in your home can be quite a challenge. It can be found everywhere, from kitchen countertops to doorknobs and virtually any other surface. Even when you are able to rid yourself of it, you must find solutions to prevent it from returning.

It is important to be aware of the bacteria in your home, especially what part of your home harbors the most bacteria. If most people were to guess what part of their home had the most bacteria, the first place that would probably come up is the bathroom. Whereas, numerous studies show that one of the most bacteria-filled rooms in the home is the kitchen. There are several ways to combat this problem. One of the simplest solutions is to regularly clean the kitchen and especially pathogen-loaded areas, like refrigerator handles and cutting boards. By doing this you can reduce germ levels substantially.

Another place where you will commonly find bacteria in your home is the laundry room. Numerous studies have shown that doing a simple wash and dry is not effective at getting rid of dangerous germs and diseases. These include rotavirus, Hepatitis A, adenovirus, and Salmonella bacteria.

In addition to taking simple common-sense steps, such as regularly cleaning surfaces, another step that can be taken is to use an air purifier. Although air purifiers are not used to disinfect surfaces that already harbor bacteria, they do clean the air for airborne bacteria. Air purifiers are effective (most get rid of at least 98% of all airborne microorganisms and airborne bacteria) and they are affordable. With trusted brands like Alen or BlueAir, it has never been easier to find the right air purifier for your needs.

What is bacteria?

Bacteria is a type of single-cell microorganism. It is neither an animal nor a plant. It simply is in its own category. The word itself is the plural form of “bacterium.” Each bacterium is only a few micrometers long, yet they combine to form millions. For example, a typical gram of soil contains almost 40 million cells of bacteria, and a milliliter of water holds almost one million bacterial cells.

Bacteria come in a wide variety of shapes, most commonly spirals, rods, and spheres. They are one of the first forms of life to be present on Earth and appear virtually everywhere in places like water, soil, organic matter, and the bodies of animals and plants. In fact, much of the Earth’s biomass is actually made up of bacteria. So it’s no surprise to find bacteria in your home. With a little common sense and the additional use of an air purifier in each room of your home, you will notice drastic results in the elimination of bacteria.

What Environments Do Bacteria Inhabit?

Because bacteria in your home can be a cause of worry, it is important to learn more about the type of environment they thrive in.

Aerobic bacteria grow in the presence of oxygen. These types of bacteria can cause major infrastructure problems, such as corrosion and bad odors. Anaerobic bacteria grow in places where oxygen is not present. For example, in humans, they are found in places like the gastrointestinal tract. Facultative anaerobic bacteria thrive in places that have or don’t have oxygen. They are found in places like water, soil, vegetation. They are also found in the normal flora of animals and humans. The most well known of these type of bacteria is salmonella.

Combating bacteria in your home is a constant struggle. But by taking several key steps, such as regularly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and using an air purifier in each room of your home, you will notice significant improvements. When buying an air purifier make sure you choose a trusted unit with a proven track record, such as Alen. Alen offers HEPA-style filters with silver ion technology to combat bacteria growth on the filter. Finding a reliable, effective product can make all the difference in the world.