Flushing the toilet is something that people do multiple times a day, every day, and so it's hard to imagine that some could be doing it 'wrong'.
However, that might just be the case as an expert has warned that a common flushing mistake can have gross consequences. And that's not all, as reported by the Mirror Online, the microbiologist also revealed that the different areas of your bathroom need to be cleaned at different intervals.
Speaking to Honey Living, Emma Harding, molecular virology researcher and PhD candidate at the University of New South Wales shared the grim revelations. She explained that there is a 'right' way to flush the toilet, as the lid should always be down when flushing.
According to Harding, if you flush with the lid up particles can escape the toilet bowl and settle in other locations around your home.
Because of this, she recommends making closing the lid a rule before you flush. Ideally it then soon becomes a habit which you could do without having to think first.
As for more general cleaning, the expert recommends a weekly scrub down, although they clarified that some areas will need more attention than others.
"If someone has been sick recently, the bathroom should be cleaned thoroughly when they have recovered to prevent other people from getting sick, otherwise once a week is a good rule," said the expert. "Floors will generally need cleaning less than high-touch surfaces like taps and showers."
It's not just your bathroom that you have to worry about either, as bedroom experts have previously warned against making your bed right away when you get up. This is because 30 minutes is needed to get rid of any lingering dust mites in your bedding.
And if you want to give your mattress a mite-banishing scrub, the experts recommend using baking soda which can be picked up at most supermarkets for around £1.50.
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