Household Items Making The Seniors Sick

By Silver Sitters

Family members and caregivers do everything they can to prevent the seniors from falling ill but some household items could be making the seniors sick. Here are the household items to take note of and tips to minimize bacteria, viruses, and allergies at your home. 

Items Making Seniors Sick 

Perfumes 

One of the biggest culprits of seniors’ health lying in every home is none other than the fragrances and perfumes. From personal care products to household cleaners, scents are added to nearly everything but people should remember that cleanliness is not tied to any scent. 

Consequently, avoid burning scented candles, using fragrance diffusers, or spraying air fresheners to reduce the chemicals or allergens in your home. Opt for cleaning products that do not have any scent. 

TV remote 

Every house has a TV remote in their living room. As people tend to watch TV, there are chances that it can be coughed and sneezed on, dropped on the floor, or sometimes food gets spilled on it. But this is not part of people’s clearing routine. 

This, if left untreated, can make seniors sick. Consequently, make sure to clean it by wiping it down with a clean cloth or a cotton ball rubbed with alcohol. You can also take the help of a cotton swab to clean in between the buttons. 

Pillows 

Dust mites, a leading cause of allergies, thrive on human skin flakes found in pillows. To combat them, wash pillowcases every three weeks, use allergen-proof covers, and wash the pillows themselves periodically. Down-alternative pillows can be cleaned in a warm washing machine cycle. Replace pillows every one to two years and remember to clean throw pillows in living areas too.

Vacuums 

Vacuuming once in a while is regarded as an effective way to reduce the level of airborne allergens in the home. But dust mites, pollen, and other allergens do not come in vacuum filters due to which, these are thrown back into the air and can cause discomfort to you and seniors. The best way forward will be to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter as this traps even the finest particles. 

Sponges 

The next household item making the seniors sick is none other than sponges. Sponges are the dirtiest objects in the home. The dirt from the sponges spreads all over the home and makes seniors sick. Consequently, it is recommended to use paper towels or dish clothes or a mix of bleach and water to clean these sponges.