High tech hygiene
As we’ve become much more conscious of hygiene we’ve discovered new things to worry about – so the phones that are our constant companions could also be harbouring all kinds of unpleasantness now that we’re using them constantly.
You can’t stick a smartphone in the wash, but you can sanitise it with ultraviolet light. Some UV sanitisers can kill bacteria and viruses in just thirty seconds, but even the slowest ones only need a couple of minutes.
Even innocuous items such as soap dispensers can harbour germs, so if that concerns you then you might want to consider a no-touch soap dispenser. These have sensors that can detect your hand and automatically dispense the right amount of soap, and there are lots of models to choose from. Prices start at around £12.
One of the most effective ways to hygienically clean things is to use a steam cleaner, which has the added advantage of cleaning without harsh chemicals. Steam cleaners usually come in two kinds: ones for floors, which usually resemble mops, and multipurpose ones. The latter are great for cleaning kitchen or bathroom tiles, ovens and surfaces, and some even come with attachments for cleaning upholstery and curtains. Just be careful what you use them on: laminate floors and steam cleaning don’t go well together, as the hot steam can warp the flooring. Steam cleaning is absolutely fine for wooden floors, tiles or linoleum.
In addition to cleaning surfaces you can clean the air too. Air purifiers do a good job of removing allergens and pollutants from the air, which can be particularly helpful for people with asthma and allergies, but be wary of claims that they remove viruses: the filters in home purifiers are rarely fine enough to trap such particles. Think of these devices as a good way to remove dust, pet dander and other things that you or your family may be allergic or intolerant to.
simplehuman Sensor Pump
Cheaper automatic soap dispensers can clog and can cause a bit of a mess with drips, but this simplehuman model is easy, efficient and mess-free. Dispensing soap takes just a fifth of a second. £34.95 from simplehuman.com
Homedics UV-CLEAN phone sanitiser
The Homedics cleaner uses UVC lights, which kill bacteria and germs without damaging your phone or using harsh chemicals. It’ll clean your phone seventy times before you need to recharge it. £79 from John Lewis
Sonicscrubber Cleaning Tool
The Sonicscrubber is essentially a sonic toothbrush scaled up to be a home cleaner: it’s an electric cleaning brush that makes light work of even the toughest tasks. It’s particularly good for removing the beginnings of kitchen or bathroom mould. £18.99 from Lakeland
Honeywell AirGenius 5 Air Purifier
Suitable for rooms up to 112 square metres, the Honeywell quietly and effectively removes large particles such as dust and pet dander. The filter is washable and there’s an auto shut-off to help you save energy.
Shark Floor & Handheld Steam Cleaner S6005UK
This clever steam cleaner offers the best of both worlds: it starts as a mop but you can take the steamer out and use it on tiles, worktops, shower screens and for other tricky tasks. £129 from Sharkclean.co.uk
“stay safe”