HCE Blog

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...

You clean the sink and the dishwasher, but have you ever thought to wash the dish-drying rack? We know what you’re probably thinking. I put clean dishes in there! Why would I need to wash it? The answer is simple: mold.  You can wash it just like you wash dishes: with soap and hot water. Make sure to keep the dish-drying rack dry to keep mold and other bacteria from growing on its surface. Try...

You know what they say, “A dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s.” Whether that’s true or not, there is one thing, for sure, that is dirtier than both: your pup’s favorite squeaky toy. With the bacteria from your dog’s mouth, the bacteria from the environment around you, and even the bacteria on your hands, those toys are covered in all sorts of germs. Often included in that collection of bacte...

The fridge, home to yummy food and loads of bacteria.  Yep. You read that right. Bacteria. Keep your fridge cleaned out regularly to avoid a buildup. But you need to make sure you clean ALL your fridge. One of the most neglected places in your fridge that you may not think about cleaning is the ice cube maker.  If even the freshest ice cubes come out of your ice machine appear cloudy and smel...

What is one of the most-touched items in your household? We’re sure many of you said the fridge door handle, doorknobs, or even the sink knobs, and while those are accurate, you may not have thought of your remote control. Some studies have shown that a remote control may have up to 70% more bacteria per square inch than your home’s toilet seat!   To clean your remote control, wipe it down wit...

Last week we mentioned the importance of cleaning leaves out of your gutter. While it is an important thing to do, it’s even more important to make sure you do it safely!  When cleaning the gutters of your home, make sure you have a good, sturdy, and extendable ladder. Always place your ladder on a sturdy surface. Make sure it isn’t set on landscaping rocks because those can shift dangerously ...

You may not think that leaves can cause damage to your home, but sadly, you would be wrong. The gutters that line your roof can get easily congested with leaves during the fall and that can lead to damage to your roof and foundational damage. Clogged gutters keep them from doing their job of diverting water away from your home. Don’t have the proper tools to clean the gutters? No worries! You ...

We know it’s hard to get the kids to go outside nowadays, but at least it’s a little easier when the weather starts to cool. We were all kids once and we know just how tempting it is to run through piles of leaves bunched up on the lawn when playing outside. Many of us also experienced quite the tumble when doing so. Our foot slipped on an especially slippery patch of leaves and we went banging...