7 Reasons Why Cleaning Makes a Difference

Cleaning In The Age Of Coronavirus Is More Critical Than Ever

1. Overall Health And Safety

Cleaning Is Essential!

Health experts agree, personal hygiene and regular house-cleaning are essential to good health and key to preventing the spread of microorganisms that cause many common illnesses.

Eliminate Common Household Petri Dishes.

Regular cleaning of surfaces in the home removes dirt and food particles on which germs can grow.

Cleaning For Better Health! An Indiana University study found that people with clean houses are generally healthier than people with messy houses.

Seasonal Benefits

Cleaning helps to reduce allergy and asthma symptoms, improves safety by eliminating and reducing the spread of germs and deters pests from entering or taking up residence in the home.

A Clean Home Is Better For Your Waistline!

Researchers from Cornell University found that those individuals cooking in a messy, disorganized kitchen consumed nearly twice as many calories in sweets as those who worked in the organized kitchen.

Clutter Causes Household Accidents

A messy, cluttered-up home can be dangerous especially for older adults and young children who aren’t as physically stable as they attempt to navigate tight spaces. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year, one in three adults age 65 or older falls. And more than 2.5 million of them are treated in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries.

2. Prevent The Spread Of Germs And Viral Outbreaks

Cleaning As Preventative Health

This may seem like a no brainer given the current global situation, but prevention is key and a significant part of that involves cleaning! Protect yourself and the ones you love from the germs you bring in from the outside world (when you’re able get there!)

Just Because It Looks Clean Doesn’t Mean It Is Clean.

Clean and disinfect daily high touch surfaces like kitchen and bathroom counters, door knobs, toilet seats and children’s toys that may be contaminated with bacteria even when they’re not visibly dirty.

Cross-Contamination Is Real – and a real problem!

Germs can be spread to other surfaces from dirty cleaning cloths and sponges as well as our hands if unwashed between cleaning transitions.

Clean, Then Disinfect!

Yes, clean the surface level dirt and grime, then disinfect with a product that is registered with the EPA. According to the CDC, “The transmission of viral respiratory pathogens such as COVID-19 can be minimized by thorough and complete application of an EPA-registered disinfectant per the manufacturer’s instructions…”

3. Increased Focus Productivity

Clear Your Space And Your Mind.

Researchers at Princeton University learned that clutter can actually make it more difficult to focus on a given task. The brain gets overwhelmed by objects in the vicinity that are not task-related, effectively creating a mental clutter that deters productivity.

A Clean Work Environment Is Just As Important.

In the workplace as it is at home. Not only is it critical for maintaining health and safety, it can also minimize distractions. From a productivity standpoint, it might also pay off to hire a cleaning service for the workplace. Rather than taking up employees’ precious working hours with housekeeping, they can focus on more important matters.

4. Emotional Wellbeing And Mental Clarity

A Good Deep Cleaning Can Help To Alleviate Symptoms Of Depression.

According to a study published in the scientific journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, people who identified their residences as “cluttered” or full of “unfinished projects” were more likely to be depressed and experience fatigue than those that described their homes as being “restful” and “restorative.”

Less Mess, Less Stress.

According to psychologists, being surrounded by clutter and mess is a constant, if only subconscious, reminder of work that needs to be finished. This can become visually overstimulating, leading to stress and overall fatigue.

5. For Your Kiddos

A Place For Everything And Everything In Its Place.

Child development experts agree that children thrive within a stable and secure environment – that includes an orderly, clean home.

We Are All Homeschooling These Days.

For kids and adults alike, we are much more easily distracted surrounded by “stuff.” A child trying to read or do homework is going to struggle more when in an environment of cluttered sensory overload. We no longer have the luxury of relying on the structure and organization of the school learning environment. That being said, our little learners need us to keep them organized and on track as we all navigate the home education system.

6. The Economic Impact

We’ve Switched From Carrying Cash, To The Coronavirus.

Many of us are feeling the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has effectively created not only a public health crisis but also an economic crisis across the globe. Even in “normal” times, when people get sick, they can’t go to work, business is less productive, and that translates to less money being circulated all around.

7. Social Consciousness

If You Weren’t Self-Conscious Before, You Are Now!

Globally, we are more aware than ever of personal hygiene and home care practices. If we are following best practices, we are being vigilant with hand-washing, carrying hand sanitizer (if it’s available!), and taking extra care not to go out if we’ve developed even the slightest of allergy coughs. The COVID-19 outbreak has been a wake up call and will have forever changed the way we carry ourselves and address personal cleanliness and hygiene.

The Mask Of Comfort?

Think about it – even though there is varying information out there about the effectiveness of masks, there is a certain comfort for ourselves and others when interacting with the mask rather than without. Same with gloves, right?

So How Clean Is Your Home?

We’ve touched on personal care, now what about your home? You might not be inviting many guests – if any – into your home, but both you and they would surely feel more comfortable entering into a home that is looking and smelling clean and sanitized.

Source: https://alamaid.com/7-reasons-why-clean-matters/

References:
Information gathered from “Cleaning for Health,” published by the American Cleaning Institute online: https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/understanding-products/promoting-wellness/cleaning-health
Article published by Psychology Today Online, “The Powerful Psychology Behind Cleanliness.” https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-truisms-wellness/201607/the-powerful-psychology-behind-cleanliness
Health enews article “Health benefits of a clean home,” published online at https://www.ahchealthenews.com/2016/06/06/staying-fit-cleaning-house/