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After two years of lockdowns and restrictions, hygiene at home is more important than ever. In fact, the average home contains up to 8,000 different types of bacteria, which can flourish and multiply in the right conditions.
That’s why, when deciding to renovate it’s worth considering hygiene – especially when it comes to your kitchen and bathroom. To help you here are four ways that you can make your home more hygienic when renovating.
1. Improve your air quality
The World Health Organisation calls indoor air pollution the largest single environmental health risk in the world. It’s a relatively little known issue but it can increase the risk of respiratory infections, asthma, lung cancer and several other respiratory illnesses.
Luckily there are several simple things you can do when renovating to ensure the air in your home is healthy. Stick to hardwood floors which hold less dust, clean frequently and ensure you have several windows you can open to let fresh air in. Make sure bathrooms and kitchens have ventilation fans and ensure you air your home out after renovating to remove any harmful chemicals that may stick around from sealants, adhesives and other building materials.
You could even install a ventilation system, which will regularly cycle the air in your home to ensure it’s always fresh and healthy.
2. Keep pests and insects out
Like most Australians, you’ve probably experienced annoying and persistent flies during summer. But what you may not know is that these little guys (and other insects) can spread nasty diseases like Hepatitis A, Salmonella, E. coli, and even Typhoid – especially if they’re congregating around food preparation areas in your kitchen.
To stop this happening, there are a few simple things you can do during renovations. The most important is to install screens on your doors and windows so you can have them open for airflow without letting flies in. While in the past these have always been a bit of an eyesore, these are now available in premium designs and finishes to suit any home.
3. Use closed storage in bathrooms
Most toilets disperse tiny droplets of water into the air when flushed, dispersing germs and smells throughout your bathroom. If personal hygiene products are stored on your sink or on open shelves these droplets can fall on them, bringing harmful bacteria and other pathogens.
Luckily, there are a couple of easy solutions. The most obvious is to simply install closed storage in your bathroom, including drawers and cabinets under your vanity – then regularly clean all surfaces.
You should also close your toilet when flushing (which can be easier with soft closing toilet seats) or consider purchasing a newer toilet with more hygienic designs and features, such as a rimless toilet.
4. Install glass splashbacks
Tiles are a popular choice to line walls behind kitchen benches, bathroom basins and other work areas, but they may not be the most hygienic option. All the little crevices, curves and textures on tiles and their grouting create spaces where these organisms can thrive.
Small tiles can be particularly difficult to keep clean, and often their grout changes colour as grime, mould and other harmful bacteria multiply. This can affect the hygiene of your bathroom surfaces and possibly even air quality.
Glass splashbacks may be a more hygienic alternative. They’re designed to be as non-porous as physically possible, providing no opportunities for grime and mould to build up. This makes them perfect for bathrooms, cleaning areas, and kitchens where dish water and cooking oil splatters often end up on splashbacks. They’re also cost effective, look amazing and can be installed in as little as an hour.
Looking to get started on a more hygienic home renovation?
Book a free consultation with the team at DecoGlaze, Australia’s leading provider of stunning glass features, offering the highest quality glass splashbacks, glass walls and glass features with a total commitment to customer service.