And the top 8 germ-infested spots in your home are.

Germs! The mere mention of the word is enough to make you sick, shriek or shrink in fear. They’re literally all over the place. Fact is, you harbor germs in your body. And as I type this, they’re probably lurking on my desk, on the computer keyboard, and mouse.

Health activist Dr. Joseph Mercola has this to share: “The average human hand harbors 150 species of bacteria, some harmless and even beneficial, others capable of causing serious illness. Any number of those bacteria can be left behind every time you touch something. In fact, regular contact with household items is thought to be the trigger for over 65 percent of colds, 50 percent of all cases of diarrhea, and 50 percent to 80 percent of food-borne illnesses.”

And where do you get the most germs? Chicago Tribune (Aug. 16, 2009) lists the top eight germ-infested spots in your home:

1. TV remote. You’re probably guilty of this: watching TV while snacking on junk food and channel-surfing, leaving all sorts of bacteria on the remote. So that the germs don’t make you sick, make sure to sanitize the remote control regularly.

2. Tub and shower. No ifs and baths about it. Believe it or not, your bathtub may have 100 times more bacteria than the trash can, according to the Center for Hygiene and Health in Home and Community in its in-home bacteria study. Thus, it recommends that showers and tubs be disinfected twice a week to get rid of dead skin cells left in the tub that can carry germs, too.

3. Pet food dish. If you’re a responsible pet owner and care for your pet like family, you’ll make sure that their food dishes don’t stay on the floor where they could pick up germs, and they get washed regularly.

4. Kitchen cloths and sponges. We use sponges or cloths to wipe kitchen counters and surfaces, and keep them clean. Did you know that 70 percent of kitchen sponges in US homes failed the hygiene test as they have high levels of bacteria, according to the Hygiene Council? To ward off germs, run sponges through the dishwasher regularly and wash kitchen cloths on the hot cycle in the washing machine.

5. Microwave touch screen. You probably don’t bother to clean this spot, where germs lie, waiting for the next victim. So, make sure you wipe the touch screen clean regularly, especially after cooking raw meat.

6. Light switches. The light switch is something we touch every day, but we don’t really care keeping it clean. Did you know that the bathroom light switch could have as many germs as the trash bin? So, make sure you disinfect light switches twice a week, or every day if a member of your household is sick.

7. Baby changing table. Mommies, take note: During diaper changes, the baby wipes container, the diaper packaging, the trash can, and anything around the changing area get contaminated with bacteria through touching after handling a dirty diaper. Make sure the baby changing table area is regularly cleaned.

8. Kitchen faucets. True, you wash your hands after handling raw meat in the kitchen. But you probably don’t think about the bacteria you leave on the faucet when you touch it to turn on the water, right? According to the Hygiene Council, more than half of faucets in American homes are covered in bacteria. Yuck!

You’re probably shaking your head now. Here’s more: A study in the US showed that all salt and pepper shakers tested were contaminated with cold germs. Now, that should make you shake, rattle, and roll. So, think about that the next time you reach for those shakers.

So, how do you get rid of these germs? You can’t and you shouldn’t, according to Dr. Mercola who stresses, “Your home should not be a sterile environment, and if you’re attempting to turn it into one by dousing everything with antibacterial cleansers and hand sanitizers, you are doing yourself and your family an extreme disservice.

This is especially true if you have young children, as they need to be exposed to common bacteria and viruses. If your child is healthy, this exposure will only make his/her immune system stronger. Unfortunately, children are now growing up without being exposed to the bacteria, viruses, and parasites that have existed throughout the world — even in developed countries like the United States — since the beginning of time.”

Over-sanitizing your home using commercial cleaning products that contain dangerous chemicals is not the answer. Dr. Mercola prescribes: Keep your home fresh and clean using items you probably already have around your home.

For example:

• Vinegar can be used to clean almost anything in your home. Try mixing vinegar with liquid castile soap, essential oils, and water to clean floors, windows, bathrooms, and kitchens. It can even be used as a natural fabric softener.

• As a disinfectant and whitener, hydrogen peroxide, a natural disinfectant, is safer to use than chlorine bleach.

• Vodka is a disinfectant that can remove red wine stains, kill wasps and bees, and refresh upholstery (put it into a mister and simply spray on the fabric). Think about that the next time you get yourself a shot of vodka.

So, who’s afraid of germs? By boosting our immune system, we can peacefully co-exist with germs. In conclusion, Dr. Mercola writes this vital prescription to strengthen our immune system:

• Get a good night’s sleep.

• Have positive outlets for the stresses in your life.

• Exercise regularly and effectively.

• Get enough sun exposure or, alternatively, enough of the right vitamin D.

• Avoid sugar and grains; instead, eat plenty of fresh raw foods.

• Take a high-quality probiotic (good bacteria) or eat plenty of naturally fermented foods.

And do spread these germs of wisdom.

*     *     *

We’d love to hear from you. E-mail us at ching_alano@yahoo.com. –Ching M. Alano (The Philippine Star)