Tag Archives: Germs

Lifestyle |

|

Washing the Day Off

No matter how fresh and clean you may feel when you start the day, this is never the case each evening, especially for those living in a city. With air pollution at an all-time high in cities all over the world, and invisible germs swarming on just about every surface, it is essential that the harmful effects of a day in the city are thoroughly cleansed each evening, not only from your skin and your hair, but also from the clothes that you have been wearing.

Create a Clean Home Environment
Before beginning to wash the day off, it is always a good idea to ensure that your home environment is clean and free from any other germs or pollutants. Germs and bacteria arise from all sorts of places, be it your carpets, your pets or just the dust that settles on surfaces. When cleaning your home, try to use products that contain the minimum amount of chemicals, ensuring that your home environment is as healthy as possible.

Woman washing face

Skin Cleansing
If you are hoping to thoroughly cleanse your skin from all of the germs and pollutants that have barraged it throughout the day, it goes without saying that a couple of quick swipes with an everyday cleanser will not do the job. Instead, begin with damp skin, covering your fingers with the cleanser before gliding it around your skin. After doing this for a couple of minutes to clear away the dirt and oils, use warm water to rinse your face, as this will break down any residue much more effectively than cold water will. Once your skin has been cleansed, you can move on to applying other skin care products, opting for ones that contain extra antioxidants as this will help your skin to fight against the damage that the city inflicts onto it.

Hair Protection
The dirt and pollution from the day that builds up on your hair will result in locks that are dry, dull and undernourished. Shampooing it regularly will help to remove all of these impurities, while using a conditioner will protect it from subsequent wear and tear. There are many hair masks available that aim to counter the damaging effects of pollution, and you could also give your hair a steam treatment every week, as this will open up the pores and boost circulation.

Woman changing clothes

Clean Clothes
Even if your clothes still feel relatively fresh after a day in the city, pollen, pollutants and germs will have all attached themselves to your outfit over the course of the day. While throwing every item that you have worn into the washing machine each and every day may not be the most efficient use of your time, not to mention the devastating effects that this can have on the environment, there are other ways to ensure that you are able to keep your clothes germ-free. Rinsing clothes in hot water can be just as effective as a washing machine cycle, and drying them out in the sunlight will ensure that they are disinfected by the sun’s UV rays, while keeping the airflow optimized.

Although the majority of impurities that we come into contact with each day are invisible, this does not mean that they should be ignored. From thoroughly cleansing your skin to naturally disinfecting your clothes, these tips will help you to wash off all of the negative effects of the day, giving your body, and clothes, time to breathe in a clean environment.

Travel |

|

Dispelling Airplane Myths – OROGOLD Reviews

Over time, airplanes have gotten a bad reputation for being packed with a whole variety of germs and diseases, but most people do not know where exactly these germs lie, as well as how to avoid them. OROGOLD reviews some of the most common airplane myths, along with the actual truth behind them.

Interior of an airplane with stewardess walking down the aisle.

Cabin air is a dangerous health hazard
One of the most commonly believed airplane myths is that the most dangerous hazard whilst flying is the cabin air itself. This is definitely not true, as cabins are fitted with HEPA filters, which clean the air. Instead, the upholstery of the seats, the tray tables, the armrests and the toilet handles are much more likely to contain traces of certain bacteria, including MRSA and E. Coli. These strains of bacteria have been found to live for up to a week on planes that haven’t been properly cleaned.

Air stairs being attached to an airplane.

Each plane is thoroughly cleaned between flights
According to many industry watchers, proper cleaning of the inside of an aircraft does not happen as frequently as we would like to think. Since the FAA does not regulate, or even inspect, aircraft cleaning, it is left up to the individual airlines to handle. As a general rule, each aircraft is supposed to be thoroughly wiped down after every 30 days of service, or after a 100 hour flying period. However, this means that an aircraft could carry out dozens of different flights before it is deep-cleaned.

Man resting in an airport lounge.

It is safe to use the bagged pillows and blanket
It is easy to believe that the pillows and blankets that are handed out, wrapped in plastic, are safe to use, but this is not necessarily true. Eyewitness accounts have stated that on some airlines, pillows are stored in the overhead compartments in between flights, with nobody changing the pillowcases. Your best bet would be to bring along a warm jacket, as well as neck pillow that has a cover that can be easily washed.

Airlines take precautions to ensure that certain viruses, such as Ebola, are not spread through the cabin
Ebola is a virus that is causing particular concern at the moment, but, as of yet, there have not been any reported cases of the virus managing to spread within the confined space of an aircraft cabin. Ebola is not an airborne virus, and can only be spread via blood or bodily fluids, so all passengers should make sure to cover up and exposed wounds.

Box of tissue sanitizers.

Once I’m on the plane, there’s nothing I can do to protect myself from harmful bacteria
Every flier can, and should, take steps to ensure that they are protected from any harmful bacteria that may be living in an aircraft. A pack of disinfectant wipes should be carried with you at all times, and used to wipe down the armrest and tray table as soon as you reach your seat. When touching door knobs or the toilet handle, it is best to use a tissue or a paper towel, so that your skin does not come into direct contact with it. As tear ducts are a fast route for germs to reach the nose and throat, your eyes are particularly vulnerable, and you should keep your hands as far away from them as possible.

Although the amount of germs that are found on an airplane may seem shocking, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself protected from them. By being aware of which areas of a plane contain the most harmful bacteria, and by carrying disinfectants and hand sanitizers with you at all times, you will have a much better chance of keeping your body free from the germs.