When it comes to bacteria, alarm bells go off for many people. Yet the fact that humans are colonised by bacteria is no longer a secret. The European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF), which is recognised as being in the public interest, writes :
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There are about as many micro-organisms in and on the body as there are cells in humans - an estimated 30 trillion cells.
This place in your bathroom is a perfect nest for bacteria
In fact, most of these micro-organisms are bacteria (in addition to viruses, fungi and protozoa without nuclei). Outside our bodies, however, they are toxic. Bathrooms are the perfect example of a nest for bacteria that is bad for your health.
As well as the toilet, washbasin, shower and bath, there's one area we tend to forget when it comes to our bathroom cleaning routine (if there is one): The infamous shower curtain.
Germs like warm, damp environments. The folds of a shower curtain are therefore an ideal breeding ground. To prevent bacteria and mould from taking hold and spreading, cleaning expert Lauren Bowen recommends cleaning your shower curtain every three months, according to heute.at.
Read more:This is how much toilet paper you should use every time you go to the bathroom
How to properly clean your shower curtain
The simplest solution is to machine wash them. Some curtains can be washed at 30 degrees and with a delicate cloth (always check the label!).
If that's not an option, a mixture of baking soda, vinegar and water is also suitable. To do this, make up a cleaning paste. Simply apply it with a sponge, leave for 45 minutes and rinse the paste off.
It's important to let the shower curtain dry flat so that no moisture remains in the creases.
In SELF magazine, Dr Paul Pottinger, Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington, reassures those who are still worried about bacteria:
For people with a good immune system, the shower curtain presents a very low risk.
Even visible dirt or mould stains are nothing to worry about in this case, he says.
Read more: 4 unexpected ways to use cucumbers to clean your home
This article has been translated from Oh!MyMag FR.
Sources used:
ECARF: Das menschliche Mikrobiom
SELF: Your Shower Curtain Is Probably Nastier Than You Realize—Here’s How to Clean It
Heute: Bakterien am Duschvorhang – wie gefährlich ist das?
