11 Hidden Household Dangers

By Kate Carter, DivineCaroline

You may have detected subtle hints that something might by awry: a persistent cough that seems related to the musty smell in your basement, the dastardly scent lingering on your hands after using the kitchen sponge, mysterious-looking paint flakes exposed deep beneath the top layer.

The good news about potential health hazards around the house is that they are easy to uncover, and relatively inexpensive to correct. And the mental benefits of being proactive about these dangers are abundant. No more sleepless nights, and no more wondering whether your child is bathing in water that flowed through lead pipes. These are some of the most common–and easiest to correct–household hazards that may be lingering in your home.

1. Kitchen Sponges
The sad truth is that unless you’re diligent about sanitizing them often, kitchen sponges often carry more germs than toilet seats. According to Kenneth Bock’s The Germ Survival Guide, sponges can harbor more than 100,000 bacteria, including food-borne diseases that you’ve wiped off the counter. You should (very regularly) toss them in the dishwasher, replace them, or zap them in the microwave for two minutes.

For more on sanitizing sponges and scrubbers, read Sponges and Scrubbing Pads.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Carol H.

9:09AM PST on Nov 11, 2011

Good article! Thanx!

send a green star

Laurita W.

7:35AM PDT on Jul 24, 2011

When I lived in warm country (Tucson area) I made little 'treats' for the cockroaches (which are numerous) by making pellets of biscuit dough heavily laced with garlic powder. I think they carry it back to their nests and it kills them all.

7:33AM PDT on Jul 24, 2011

that's a picture of a stainless steel pan, not dangerous aluminum.

7:31AM PDT on Jul 24, 2011

Bamboo sheets! Wonderful! I don't know how anyone could sleep on permanent press -- it's HARD, not soft and cuddly!

7:29AM PDT on Jul 24, 2011

I hate traps, but I use glue traps for mice -- they have overrun our home! When I find them, I drown them rather than leave them to starve or be partially eaten while still alive (often by other mice)

Distressing, but they do get into and ruin everything! --and carry disease...

Martha A.

12:16PM PDT on Jun 27, 2011

Wow, this is a gold mine of information on green living at home!

I love the idea about the sheets and have started using bamboo sheets - I think they are a cotton/bamboo blend. We can all save energy consumption with good home security systems, they monitor lights and thermostat levels via Internet or phone apps.

Eternal G.

7:04PM PDT on Jun 23, 2011

Ta!

Emily D.

8:54PM PDT on Jun 4, 2011

thanks!

Annemarie W.

11:31AM PDT on Jun 3, 2011

May H.

1:29PM PDT on May 23, 2011