HCE Blog

Flu season is in full swing, so it’s best you start taking precautions to keep your whole family flu-free!  The influenza virus can live on hard surfaces for up to 24 hours, including your child’s plastic toys. Children are extra-susceptible to catching the virus, so it’s smart to disinfect their toys regularly to keep them healthy. If you have one sick child and want to keep the other from ca...

Flu season is in full swing, so it’s best you start taking precautions to keep your whole family flu-free!  It’s a hard thing to admit to ourselves, but our children’s toys are covered in germs. We don’t want to think about our precious little ones playing with things that are so dirty. Wooden toys are some of the worst, too. But what’s the best way to clean them?  The influenza virus can liv...

Let’s admit it, many of us don’t clean our children’s toys as often as we should. Some of the most neglected toys, though, are often the ones that need it most. And what toys are those? Bath toys, of course! It’s easy to think, “Oh, I don’t have to wash those! They’re always in soap and water, so they’re perfectly clean!” But sadly, that’s not the case. Bath toys are perfect breeding grounds f...

If your child’s toy box is jammed packed with toys, maybe it’s time to donate some of them! Even as adults it’s easy to remember just how hard it was for us to give up our favorite toys when we were children, so be easy on them as you go through this process. You know your child better than anyone, so you can either include them in the cleaning or do it on your own.  Empty the toy box and star...

Dust mites are microscopic insects that like to live in dust, especially dust found in your carpet or on your bed. They feed on the skin cells shed by people, so your child’s favorite stuffed toy is a prime place for them to hide! These tiny bugs cause allergic reactions in many people, so your child’s favorite teddy bear could be contributing to their allergy issues!    There are several diff...

Do your kids have some toys a good scrub just won’t fix?  Try putting them in the dishwasher! It sounds crazy, but it works! The detergent you use to wash your dishes and the hot water of the dishwasher will disinfect the toys for you.  A word of advice… don’t put in toys you think may melt. Keep the toys in the top drawer of the dishwasher to make sure they don’t get damaged!

It’s a hard thing to admit to ourselves, but our children’s toys are covered in germs. We don’t want to think about our precious little ones playing with things that are so dirty. Wooden toys are some of the worst, too. But what’s the best way to clean them?  You can use a 100% natural spray cleaner or a water-laundry detergent mix to wash them. Just use a clean washcloth to rub the cleaner on...

Do you clean out your toothbrush holder? Sure, the bristles never touch the inside, but that doesn’t mean that your toothbrush isn’t covered in bacteria from being stored inside it. Extremely dangerous bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli can grow inside the container.  To keep from spreading and potentially becoming infected with these bacteria, try to clean and disinfect your toothbrush h...

The damp and warm bathroom you step out into after you take a hot shower is the perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria. You likely notice that when you clean your shower and see the buildup of soap scum and the beginnings of mold starting to grow at the very edge of your shower curtain. One place often missed when many people clean their shower is the shower head. Plastic shower heads ar...

Have you ever washed your window curtains? If you’re like many people, your answer is probably no. Your curtains are an unexpected home to various types of bacteria. If you have pets, your curtains can also collect fur and dander that can irritate any pet allergies you or loved ones may have. To keep your curtains clean you should vacuum them at least once a month! Be sure to check out the car...