Here is a concise summary of the article highlighting 13 common bathroom mistakes and their solutions:
**13 Bathroom Mistakes to Avoid:**
1. **Neglecting toothbrush hygiene**: Rinse thoroughly, replace every 3 months, and disinfect weekly.
2. **Using an old loofah**: Replace every 3 weeks, dry thoroughly, and disinfect (if possible).
3. **Incorrect handwashing**: Wash for 20 seconds with any water temperature, scrubbing is key.
4. **Over-exfoliating**: Limit to once a week to prevent dry, irritated skin.
5. **Improper shower curtain fit**: Trim to size to prevent mold growth.
6. **Washing face in the shower**: Use lukewarm water over the sink to prevent dryness.
7. **Vigorously rubbing with a towel**: Gently pat dry to preserve natural oils.
8. **Flushing toilet with lid up**: Close lid to prevent "toilet plume" and bacteria spread.
9. **Not cleaning the toilet brush**: Soak in bleach and dry fully, ideally twice a month.
10. **Walking barefoot on bathroom floor**: Wear shower shoes due to high bacteria presence.
11. **Storing towels in the bathroom**: Keep elsewhere to prevent mold and mildew.
12. **Storing medicine in the bathroom**: Move to a cooler, drier area to preserve effectiveness.
13. **Not utilizing heat for cleaning**: Briefly heat up the bathroom to enhance cleaning product effectiveness.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, numbered and in short sentences:
**Bathroom Sanitation and Hygiene**
1. A toothbrush can harbor over 10 million bacteria, including E. coli.
2. E. coli can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
3. Rinsing a toothbrush after each use, replacing it every 3 months, and disinfecting it weekly can reduce bacterial growth.
4. Toothbrush caps can contribute to bacterial growth on toothbrushes.
**Personal Hygiene**
5. Loofahs can harbor germs if not replaced regularly (every 3 weeks).
6. Drying a loofah thoroughly after each use can help prevent microbial growth.
7. Microwaving a plastic-free loofah for 20 seconds can disinfect it.
**Hand Washing**
8. Water temperature (hot or cold) doesn't significantly impact bacterial removal if hands are scrubbed, rinsed, and dried properly.
9. The average hand washing time is often less than the recommended 20 seconds.
**Skin Care**
10. Over-exfoliating can dry out skin, disrupting its natural pH balance.
11. Exfoliating more than once a week can lead to clogged pores and body acne.
**Shower and Bath**
12. Washing your face with hot water in the shower can dry out skin.
13. Using freezing cold water can cause broken blood vessels.
14. Lukewarm water is best for washing your face, ideally over the sink.
**Towel Use**
15. Vigorously rubbing skin with a towel can irritate skin and strip natural oils.
16. Gently patting skin with a towel is recommended.
**Toilet Hygiene**
17. Flushing the toilet with the lid up can spread particles and bacteria up to 15 feet.
18. These particles can carry infectious bacteria (known as a "toilet plume").
**Toilet Brush and Floor**
19. A toilet brush can harbor germs if not regularly disinfected and dried.
20. The bathroom floor can have more bacteria than the toilet seat, especially if the toilet lid isn't closed when flushing.
**Storage and Cleaning**
21. Storing towels in a humid bathroom environment can lead to mold and mildew growth.
22. Medicine cabinets in bathrooms can be too hot and humid for storing medicine.
23. Heating up the bathroom by 10 degrees can enhance the effectiveness of alkaline cleansers.