Understanding High-Touch Areas
High-touch areas are surfaces or objects touched often by multiple people. In a typical Nashville home, this can include doorknobs, light switches, faucets, remote controls, and kitchen appliances.
Each home is different. A home with young children might have toys and play equipment on the list, while a pet-friendly household could include food and water bowls.
How Germs Spread
When someone touches a contaminated surface, germs transfer to their hands. Touching your face, mouth, or nose afterward can allow those germs into your body. If an ill person touches a shared surface and someone else uses it, the infection can pass without direct contact.
Regular sanitizing of these areas breaks that chain of transmission, protecting everyone in your home.
Best Practices for Sanitizing
Choose disinfectants with an EPA registration number—these are proven to kill a wide range of viruses and bacteria. Always follow the label instructions, especially the recommended contact time for the product to work.
Sanitizing Techniques
Start by removing visible dirt. Apply disinfectant with a clean cloth or spray, ensuring full surface coverage. Let the disinfectant sit for the required contact time before wiping. Pay extra attention to high-use items like doorknobs, switches, and counters.
How Often to Sanitize
In most households, sanitize high-touch areas at least once daily. Increase frequency if someone is sick, after visitors, or during high-risk seasons. Consistency is key to keeping your Nashville home safe.
Benefits of Regular Sanitization
Regular sanitizing reduces the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses. This is especially important for homes with children, older adults, or immunocompromised individuals. It can also improve indoor air quality by lowering airborne particle levels—good news for individuals with allergies or respiratory issues like asthma.
Stopping the Spread of Illness
Viruses and bacteria can survive for hours—or even days—on surfaces. Regular cleaning limits their survival window and cuts the risk of transmission, particularly during flu season or outbreaks of colds.
Challenges and Considerations
Some cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can harm people or pets. Read labels carefully. For kitchen surfaces, use products safe for food contact. Always store cleaning products out of reach of children and animals.
Effectiveness vs. Pathogens
Not all cleaning products kill all types of pathogens. Choose disinfectants tested against a wide range of bacteria and viruses, and use them exactly as directed. Wear disposable gloves when cleaning to avoid spreading germs from your hands to surfaces. Discard gloves after use and wash hands thoroughly.
With the right habits, products, and routine, keeping high-touch areas clean becomes simple—and it’s one of the most effective ways to protect your Nashville home year-round.
