THE SEVEN DIRTY SINS
Sometimes I almost panic and throw that dirty, greasy dishcloth out of my kitchen. Then it lies there stinking on my countertop for much longer than allowed. It's a real breeding ground for bacteria, but did you know we do many more dirty things in (and outside) our homes? Except for the five-second rule, which is complete nonsense by the way. I just saw it on Galileo, and it made me a bit cry (I've just eaten so many dirty things).
Look, I'm not really a mad housekeeper. But I'm making a brave attempt to keep that wriggling mass of microorganisms under control. Or well, I thought I was. Actually, I'm becoming a filthy mess, because I keep my shoes on in the house. And that's just one of the seven sins in terms of hygiene.
1. Yes, the dishcloth
Hold on, on a square centimeter of your dishcloth live millions of bacteria. MILLIONS (and after 24 hours billions), jeez guys. I see opportunities here for a self-cleaning countertop or dishcloths that dissolve after 24 hours. But until then... new day, new cloth. I promise.
2. The overflow thing of your sink
You know, that thing when your sink is too full and it drains out of there? That hole on the side. Let's just call it an overflow thing. It's too disgusting to look at, because almost no one cleans that. I don't know how you do it, but I stand there every morning and evening with my nose above it when I brush my teeth. Uuhhl.
“Okeeee, another illusion poorer.”
3. Wearing shoes in the house
I do kick them off when I flop down on the couch in the evening, but other than that? Nope. Shoes are my get-shit-done mode. It feels so good, strange story, I know. But not anymore, because I waltz the toxic substances right into my house. Yes, grass and asphalt are full of toxic stuff. And now the kicker: E Coli. Yes, the nasty one that loves to hang around in feces. I'm taking my shoes off now.
4. Washing hands after peeing
Men generally see little use in washing hands after peeing. We ladies do that a lot more faithfully, but do you lather your hands with aggressive stuff after your business? Don't do it. With that antibacterial soap, you also wash away the protective substances down the drain. By the way, it's better to wash your hands for 15 seconds without soap, and then 5 seconds with. Okeeee, another illusion poorer.
5. Clean sheets
Ha, I do this (he does) every week. That's because I'm addicted to a crisp sheet. But single ladies, a warning. More than half of the free and happy men (specifically those between 18 and 25 years old) only change their bed once every three months. Manmanman, I'm so glad I have a cleaning man . The Dutch average for changing beds is once every two weeks, which is too little. That bed needs to go in the drum every week at 60 degrees, because it's crawling with mold, dust mites, and micro-things. Oh yes, are you down with a flu? Then twice a week please.
6. Whether you like them raw
So, nice and healthy in January? A little carrot with your water, cucumber on the cracker... Rats, rats, rats, over that cutting board. Get that antibacterial soap out (for the sake of it), because there are really, really dirty things on raw vegetables and that board doesn't help at all. The gut bacteria are also present here. And so present that even the RIVM is ringing the alarm. So wash, cook, or bake those veggies like a madman.
7. Nice cup?
My support, my refuge, my favorite in the morning. I'm of course talking about the coffee maker. But secretly, it's a little dirty. When you're having a strong cup with your sandwich (or açai, that works too) and you taste something weird? Just throw that in the sink, because then your coffee maker needs a bath. An vinegar bath. Molds thrive in dark and damp places, voilà... hence.
