We have become increasingly aware of the importance of the gut and skin microbiome. But what about the one we live in? From the products we spray on kitchen counters to the damp cloth beside the sink, everyday habits can influence the microscopic ecosystem inside our homes
Your home is more alive than it looks. Across floors, countertops, furniture, fabrics and even the air exists a constantly changing community of microorganisms – bacteria, fungi and other microscopic life introduced by the people and pets who live there, the food we prepare and the outdoor world we bring inside.
Together, these communities form part of what scientists call the indoor microbiome.
For decades, however, our idea of a clean home has largely been associated with eliminating bacteria. Antibacterial, disinfecting and germ-killing claims have become part of the language of household cleaning, reinforced considerably during the pandemic.
Research into indoor environments is now prompting a more nuanced conversation. Rather than thinking of every microorganism as something that needs to be destroyed, scientists are increasingly studying how cleaning practices, building materials, ventilation and the people living within a space influence its microbial make-up.
That doesn’t mean abandoning hygiene. Effective cleaning still matters, particularly in high-use spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms. The point is not to clean less, but to move away from the idea that effective cleaning has to mean chemically sterilising every surface.
“We’ve been conditioned to think that the fewer microorganisms there are in our homes, the cleaner and healthier those homes must be,” says Dan Nash of South African home-care brand GoodBasics. “The science around microbial life is encouraging us to look at that idea differently. Cleaning, done the way nature intended, means working with these living environments, not against them.”
These are five ways in which we may be changing our home’s microbial environment without realising it…
1. Disinfecting everything, every day
There is an important difference between cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning removes dirt, grease and organic matter from a surface; disinfectants are specifically intended to kill microorganisms. Routinely applying broad-spectrum disinfectants to every table, counter, floor and surface can also affect microorganisms indiscriminately. Instead, consider whether every surface needs to be sterilised, or whether effective everyday cleaning can do the job. A kitchen counter, bathroom basin or coffee table can all be cleaned thoroughly without treating the entire microbial environment as something to eliminate.
2. Assuming stronger – or more – must be better
That extra spray of cleaner may feel reassuring, but more product doesn’t necessarily mean a cleaner home. Cleaning products are formulated to work at particular concentrations and using substantially more than recommended can leave unnecessary residues on surfaces. The same applies to repeatedly layering different products during a cleaning session. And when using traditional chemical cleaners, more product can also mean a greater chemical load within the home.
3. Forgetting about the things you clean with
Your kitchen sponge, dishcloth, mop and cleaning cloth deserve more attention than they usually receive. Anything that repeatedly comes into contact with moisture, food residue and household surfaces can become its own microbial habitat. A damp cloth left beside the sink and then wiped across several different surfaces can redistribute microorganisms rather than simply remove dirt. Wash reusable cloths regularly, allow brushes and sponges to dry properly between uses and replace cleaning tools when needed. Sometimes healthier cleaning is less about adding another product and more about looking at the habits surrounding it.
4. Overlooking moisture and airflow
Your cleaning cupboard isn’t the only thing influencing the microbiome of your home. The physical environment matters too… Bathrooms that remain damp, kitchens filled with steam and poorly ventilated rooms can create conditions in which certain microorganisms flourish more readily than others. Opening windows where possible, using extractor fans and dealing with persistent damp or leaks are all part of maintaining a healthier indoor environment. In other words, caring for a home isn’t only about what you remove from its surfaces, it’s also about the conditions you create within it.
5. Choosing cleaning products only for what they remove
Most of us choose a cleaning product for what we want it to get rid of – grease, grime, stains or germs – without thinking much about how it works or what effect repeated use may have on the wider microbial environment of the home. That is starting to change, much as it has with food and skincare, where ingredients and their impact are now part of the purchasing decision. GoodBasics takes this more considered approach to home care, using beneficial microorganisms and enzymes to help break down organic matter as part of its Microbiome Support™ philosophy.
“We question so much about the products we buy, and we’re learning more all the time about what affects our health. Cleaning, ironically, has become a bit of a blind spot in people’s lives,” says Nash. “We’re encouraging people to take a closer look at the products and practices they use in order to create a healthier home environment.”