When it comes to cleaning the bathroom, hardly anyone forgets the toilet, shower, bathtub, sink or floor. But how many people forget to clean the faucets or shower head unless they are doing it thoroughly? In Clara's writing, more than one has raised her hand (… although we will not confess it if it is not the presence of our lawyers).
Shower head: nest of bacteria
We already knew that taps are one of the dirtiest places in the house, an element that we use continuously and that is exposed to all kinds of viruses and bacteria. But it turns out that, in addition, the shower head can still be more dangerous than the rest of the components of the faucet and the mechanism of the shower according to research from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
This element with which we happily sprinkle our face, hair and body tends to accumulate potentially dangerous levels of Mycobacterium avium, a pathogen that can cause serious lung disease in patients with weakened immune systems and, sometimes, in people whose defenses are weak. well warn in this study.
Researchers at the National Jewish Hospital in Denver also link the increase in lung infections with "non-tuberculous" mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium avium with the increase in the habit of showering instead of bathing. And is that the water that gushes from the shower head can expel droplets full of pathogens that can be easily inhaled.
But don't be alarmed. This does not mean that showering can be considered dangerous at first. The researchers also point out that most of the germs in your shower head and shower are harmless. If your immune system is healthy and you keep your shower head and bathroom clean, you have nothing to fear.
How to clean the shower head
To avoid dangers like the one shown in this study, it is recommended to clean the taps daily in general, and thoroughly at least once a month, including the sprayer. Here you have a very effective home cleaning trick to clean it and that does not use cleaning products that are harmful to health.
- In a container, mix two-thirds of water and one-third of white vinegar, one of the most effective and non-harmful household cleaning products.
- Then, unscrew the shower head from the hose, soak it in this solution and let it work for a minimum of 30 minutes. In the case of a sprinkler fixed to the wall or ceiling, you can put the mixture in an airtight bag and attach it to the artichoke holding it with rubber bands. So you get the same effect without having to disassemble it.
- After 30 minutes, clean it with the help of an old toothbrush or similar, to reach the last nook. And if you want to clean the shower head more thoroughly, insert a needle into the outlets of the drops of water.
- Finally, rinse it well with clean water, dry it and reconnect it to the shower hose.
