LIFESTYLE NEWS - Summer in South Africa brings sunshine, outdoor entertaining and the start of the busy holiday season.
But while warmer weather is welcome, it also creates ideal conditions for some less desirable visitors.
Flies become more active, damp areas can encourage mould growth, and bacteria can multiply rapidly when food is not stored or handled correctly. Unpleasant odours can also become more noticeable as temperatures rise.
Whether preparing for holiday guests, hosting a braai or simply keeping the house clean during the warmer months, paying attention to everyday hygiene can make a big difference.
Here are four common summer hygiene challenges and how to manage them.
1. Flies: Keep them away from food
Few things spoil a meal quite like a fly buzzing around the table or landing on food.
Warmer temperatures speed up the fly life cycle, contributing to increased numbers during summer. More importantly, flies can carry harmful micro-organisms from waste and other contaminated surfaces onto food and food preparation areas.
The best way to discourage them is to remove what attracts them.
- Keep food covered, particularly when eating outdoors
- Clear food scraps and spills promptly
- Use bins with tightly fitting lids and empty them regularly
- Clean beneath kitchen appliances, floor mats and other areas where food residue can collect
- Keep doors and windows screened where possible
- Clean and disinfect bins and refuse areas regularly.
Pay particular attention to drains and other hidden areas where organic matter can accumulate and attract pests.
2. Unpleasant odours: Don't just mask the smell
Hot weather can make household odours more noticeable. As micro-organisms break down organic waste, they release gases that can create unpleasant smells.
Kitchen plugholes, drains, rubbish bins and bathroom areas are common sources. Residue around drains and beneath toilet rims can also contribute to lingering odours when cleaning is overlooked.
Regular cleaning is more effective than simply masking smells with air fresheners.
Keep bathrooms well ventilated, clean drains and plugholes regularly, and disinfect relevant surfaces. Empty bins frequently, particularly in hot weather.
If you use household bleach or other cleaning products, always follow the instructions and never mix bleach with other cleaning chemicals.
3. Mould: Watch out for damp areas
Summer rain and humidity can create favourable conditions for mould, particularly in bathrooms, kitchens, poorly ventilated rooms and areas affected by leaks.
Mould thrives in damp conditions and can begin developing within 24 to 48 hours of water damage under favourable circumstances.
Prevention starts with controlling moisture:
- Repair leaking taps and pipes as soon as possible
- Open windows where practical to improve ventilation
- Make sure bathroom extractor fans are working
- Dry wet surfaces and address water leaks promptly
- Check cupboards, storerooms and other areas where moisture can become trapped.
Patches of mould on hard surfaces can be cleaned with detergent and water, followed by thorough drying. More extensive mould growth, particularly where it affects porous materials or large areas, may require professional attention.
Avoid simply painting over mould without addressing the underlying moisture problem.
4. Bacteria: Handle and store food safely
Not all summer hygiene problems are visible. Bacteria can multiply quickly in warm conditions, particularly when cooked food, meat, dairy products and prepared dishes are left at room temperature for too long.
The World Health Organisation recommends that cooked food should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. Hot food should be kept above 60°C, while refrigerated food should preferably be stored below 5°C.
These precautions are particularly important during summer braais, picnics and family gatherings, when food is often left out for extended periods.
Remember to:
- Refrigerate perishable food promptly
- Keep raw and cooked foods separate
- Wash hands before preparing or handling food
- Clean chopping boards, utensils and kitchen surfaces thoroughly
- Avoid using the same utensils for raw meat and ready-to-eat food
- Keep cold dishes chilled until they are ready to be served.
Food can sometimes look and smell perfectly normal while still containing harmful micro-organisms, so never rely on appearance or smell alone to judge whether it is safe to eat.
A little prevention goes a long way
Summer is a time for relaxing, entertaining and enjoying the outdoors, but warmer weather also means household cleaning routines may need a little extra attention.
Regularly cleaning kitchens and bathrooms, keeping rubbish under control, addressing damp areas and handling food safely can help prevent many common seasonal hygiene problems.
The important thing is consistency. A clean, well-maintained home is more comfortable for everyone, while good hygiene habits help keep unwanted pests, unpleasant smells and potentially harmful bacteria from becoming part of the summer experience.
After all, summer guests should be invited - not the flies, mould and bacteria!
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