Frequently Asked Questions
What is Home Hygiene?
Home hygiene is about preventing infection and the transfer of infection within the home.
Why is Home Hygiene important?
The incidence of foodborne infections continues at a high level - around 100,000 notified cases each year in the UK. But this represents only the minority of the more serious cases that are brought to a doctor. The real number of cases of infectious gastro-enteritis, which will include these foodborne infections, has recently been estimated to be almost 10 million per year.
Sensible home hygiene, including careful food preparation, can significantly reduce the threat to health from these, and other diseases transmitted via hands and surfaces in the home.
How do germs cause infection?
To cause infection and illness, germs must enter the body in sufficient numbers. They usually do this via the mouth, the nose and in some cases the eyes, because they can't get through intact skin. Most common infections start when we put hands that have picked up germs to our faces or mouths, or when we eat food that has picked up germs.
Some airborne germs, cold or flu viruses from a sneeze for example, can also be breathed in directly.
What is the single most important thing I can do to reduce the risk of infection?
Simply washing hands - especially before preparing food or eating, after visiting the loo, or if you are ill (with a cold, for example).
Germs on your hands are just one step away from entering your body (when you touch your mouth, eyes or nose). They can transfer easily around the home, both to people and onto surfaces.
The most effective way to send germs down the drain is to use soap and warm running water. Rub your hands thoroughly all over, and rinse under running water. Dry your hands with a clean towel. If you use a dirty one, you may end up with more germs on your hands than you started with!
Who is most at risk from germs in the home?
Germs enter our bodies all the time - but most of us rarely get ill. That's because we have powerful immune systems that identify and destroy most germs. But at any one time, perhaps 1 in 5 people have weakened immunity.
These people include babies, whose immune systems haven't properly developed yet, the elderly, whose immunity is weakening, and those with diseases of the immune system. A further group consists of those whose immunity is temporarily reduced: i.e. pregnant women, people on immuno-suppressive therapy or those suffering from a brief illness.
If you're aware of these variations in immunity, you can adjust your hygiene priorities to fit your needs.
Why do food preparation areas pose the highest risk?
There are two simple reasons. Firstly, if food is not stored or prepared properly, any harmful bacteria on it can multiply to extremely high numbers. Secondly, if this food is then eaten, the bacteria will have a direct route into the body, the consequences of which can be very serious.
What is the difference between germs, bacteria and viruses?
There is a lot of confusion surrounding the term 'germ'. Many believe that bacteria and germs are the same thing, or that bacteria are more dangerous than germs. This is incorrect.
'Germ' is the commonly used word for any potentially harmful microorganism. It is an 'umbrella' term that covers bacteria, viruses, bacterial spores, moulds and fungi.
What types of germs are commonly found in the home?
All types of germs can be found in the home. Many will be present on an on-going basis. That is why a complete hygiene practice is an essential part of good home hygiene.
There is increasing evidence that viruses are at least as significant as bacteria as a cause of stomach illnesses.
Is an obsession for cleanliness making us less healthy?
It is neither possible, nor desirable, to live in a germ-free world. What's more, becoming obsessed about germs is unnecessary.
Over the last century, protection against infectious disease - through antibiotics, vaccines, water purification, sanitation and hygiene - have dramatically improved our health and increased our life expectancy. Now, some scientists wonder whether this success could also reduce our immunity to infection, or help make us more prone to allergies and asthma. Others strongly disagree.
If such an effect on our immunity were ever demonstrated, the challenge would be to find ways of avoiding these problems without risking all the protection we've gained, and lead to cases of infectious disease increasing again.
As far as home hygiene is concerned, the targeted approach outlined here would represent an ideal answer as it tackles the real risks of infection yet allows plenty of exposure to germs to maintain our immunity.
By highlighting the times and places when germs are a risk, and when they aren't, it allows us to do what's needed - and relax.
What is a hygienic cleaner?
A hygienic cleaner not only removes dirt from a surface, but also kills germs by using a special ingredient called a biocide. The best hygienic cleaners are designed to reduce the number of germs on a surface to a safe level.
Are all hygienic cleaners the same?
No. Different products use different ingredients to tackle germs, with varying results. Products that contain bleach are the most effective, since they protect against all types of germs, including bacteria and viruses. By contrast, 'antibacterial' products have a more limited effect. Most antibacterial sprays and liquids protect against bacteria; some have a limited effect against a few viruses.
Both bleach-based and antibacterial products are suitable for use on food-preparation surfaces.
Antibacterial washing up liquid only controls the growth of bacteria on dishcloths and sponges. It does not kill germs.
What range of hygienic cleaners does Domestos offer?
Domestos has been making products that protect against germs for over 70 years. We offer the following range of products:
Domestos Thick Bleach. This is available in the Original, blue variant, or a selection of three fresh fragrances. It kills all types of germs.
Domestos Germguard All-Purpose Cleaner. This is available in both a spray and a liquid. It kills all types of germs, including bacteria and viruses. It contains the amount of bleach needed to be suitable for use on food preparation surfaces.
Domestos Household Wipes. This is available in a convenient dispensing box and a refill. Used in the place of a dishcloth, they help prevent the spread of harmful bacteria from one surface to another while cleaning. They contain a non-bleach solution that cleans and kills bacteria.
There is also a convenient Handy pack, ideal for use out of the home.
Domestos Active Toilet Gel. This is available in three fresh fragrances. Its unique triple action formula removes limescale, kills germs and freshens.
Domestos Rim Block. This is available in two fresh fragrances. Its unique triple action formula prevents limescale, kills germs and freshens.
Domestos Cistern Block. This is available in two fresh fragrances. Its unique triple action formula cleans, kills germs and freshens.
Is soap and water just as effective as a hygienic cleaner at keeping surfaces hygienically clean?
An ordinary liquid detergent can give adequate germ removal to create hygienically clean surfaces IF thorough rinsing with clean water can be achieved and the surface can be thoroughly dried, without re-contamination.
Thorough cleaning is an essential part of home hygiene. If a surface is just wiped clean with detergent, few germs are removed - most just move around. They also contaminate the wiping cloth or sponge. Many studies show that products with effective germ-killing ingredients give significantly better hygienic cleaning performance than simple detergent and water, and lower the risk of transferring germs to other surfaces.
Simple cleaning can, however, be adequate in normal situations for 'low risk' surfaces, such as floors and walls for example, where the risk of transfer of germs to hands or food is low.
For 'high risk' surfaces such as food contact areas, especially worktops that cannot be rinsed, cleaning with a completely effective product such as Domestos Germguard gives much better results and much greater margins of safety against infection.
Also, if there are special risk factors, such as pets or sick people, higher hygienic standards may be needed. Higher standards will also be important if there are people from 'vulnerable groups' present in the house - babies and small children, the elderly, the sick - who may have permanently or temporarily reduced immune system and are likely to be more susceptible to infection.
What are 'superbugs'?
The term 'superbugs' has been coined by the media to refer to bacteria that have become resistant to certain antibiotics. This means that the antibiotics no longer control or cure the illnesses the bacteria cause. This does not, however, make the 'superbugs' resistant to effective germ-killing agents used in hygienic cleaners such as hypochlorite bleach. In fact, hospitals successfully use such products to control the spread of 'superbugs'.
In this sense, use of hygienic products, such as bleach, can help control the spread of 'superbugs'. If our ability to control and cure disease with antibiotics is threatened, then preventing disease in the first place through good home hygiene becomes even more important.
