You might think that a house is only as clean as the people who live in it, but that isn’t necessarily true. Some home features help out in the germ department. Here are some for you to consider when shopping for your next home!
#1 Brass Hardware vs Bacteria . . . Brass Wins!
What is your first impression of a home with brass door knobs? Perhaps the word “outdated”comes to mind. But what if I told you that Researchers have discovered that copper and alloys made from the metal (such as brass) can prevent antibiotic resistance in bacteria from spreading? Professor Bill Keevil, head of the microbiology group at Southampton University, said, “On stainless steel surfaces these bacteria can survive for weeks, but on copper surfaces they die within minutes. . . We live in this new world of stainless steel and plastic, but perhaps we should go back to using brass more instead.”
Update: Apparently even the Coronavirus can only live on copper up to 4 hours!#2 Stone Seals the Deal
Natural stone counters bring a rich look to any kitchen, but many people are turned off by the high price tag. Before you hide your wallet, consider that the non-porous nature of quartz or sealed granite ensures that bacteria, grime and other nastiness won’t be able to absorb into the stone as it might with other man-made material. In addition to being “clean-friendly,” natural stone also increases the value of a home and in those rare cases where a chip or crack appears, it can be repaired with a color-matched putty that will look and feel like damage never happened. Here are some more tips and considerations about natural stone.
#3 Wood Flooring Takes a Hard Stance on Germs
Plush carpet feels so good on bare feet, but how many germs do you think can get trapped in between all those fibers? According to the Journal of Applied Microbiology, Salmonella can live on dry surfaces for days, not to mention E. coli and campylobacter. Stick to hardwood flooring to keep unseen germs and yes, bodily fluids from hiding. Hard wood floors minimize the risk of these undesirables because you can steam clean them (using a floor shampooer with rotating brushes disabled).
So as you tour all those homes in search of the perfect one, consider the surfaces and materials that will give you a leg up on keeping germs down! You'll not only have your dream home, but a healthy home as well!
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