With the arrival of cooler weather, many will find themselves fighting off nagging coughs and colds. Yet, could your own home be a contributor to sickness?
Social media influencer Nerkesha Rogers, better known as @82pondview to her impressive 163,000 Instagram followers, is renowned for her domestic, gardening and lifestyle guidance. She posted a new video highlighting cleaning errors that ‘could be making you sick’.
The reel kicks off with Nerkesha diligently wiping down a skirting board, accompanied by the caption: “Things at home that could be making you sick…” She proceeds to kitchen chopping boards, alerting viewers to their surprising status as germ carriers—reportedly more so than a toilet seat—and advocates for sanitising them with lemon and salt after every use.
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Next, she tackles sponges and cleaning cloths, cautioning that they are breeding grounds for speedy bacterial growth, recommending a fresh cloth each day to curb the transmission of germs.
Nerkesha also raises concerns about inadequate ventilation, which can impede respiratory health, offering solutions such as regularly opening windows and doors or investing in an air purifier to enhance air quality.
She then turns her attention to mattresses, notorious for accumulating dust and hosting dust mites, and suggests a monthly treatment of sprinkling bicarbonate of soda followed by thorough vacuuming as a remedy.
Lastly, carpets come under scrutiny. Nerkesha points out these floor coverings are collectors of dust and mites and provides advice on maintenance—encouraging frequent vacuums and suggesting shampooing them “at least” four times a year.
In her post, the influencer wrote: “There are things in our homes that could be making us ill without us even realising. But trying to keep on top of these things will help the home to stay clean and healthy.”
Her video was a hit, amassing over 96,000 likes. One follower commented: “Wow I needed this, been ill for 2 weeks straight will definitely be applying these tips.”
While another shared: “The window thing I do and it smells so good, reduces my anxiety and stress, and calms my mind.” A third concurred, saying: “Airing the house is so important,” while another praised the “great tips”.
Despite the positive feedback, one viewer was shocked by a suggestion, querying: “A new sponge everyday for dishes?” Someone else also grumbled about finding time for deep cleaning, saying: “How do I find the time to deep clean, it takes so much just to stay on top of daily work.”