How to Prevent the Common Cold

How to Prevent the Common Cold | As we wave farewell to Summer and the colder weather of Fall blows in, the risk for coming down with a cold may increase. Aside from getting a flu shot at the beginning of cold season, here are some everyday things you can do to prevent common cold and keep the sore throat and sniffles from getting you.

• Wash produce. Make sure to wash before consuming. Bananas, mangoes, oranges, and kiwis have all been touched by many people: someone picked it, someone else packaged it, a fellow consumer touched it, the cashier picked it up, and the person bagging it also got their hands on it. If you eat fruit before giving it a good wash, well, it's no wonder you come down with a cold.
• Disinfect commonly touched items. Make sure you disinfect items you use a lot like your phone, keyboard, mouse, doorknobs, light switches, handles on the fridge, microwave, and cabinets.
• Keep up with your regular exercise routine. I know Fall often means busier schedules, but make exercise a priority to keep your immune system strong.
• Get enough sleep. Proper rest will give your body the energy to fight germs should they attack your system.
• Wash out your reusable water bottle once a day. I don't mean just dump out the water and refill it again — disinfect your bottle, inside and out. It's something that is touched and carried around by you every day, and since it comes in contact with many public surfaces (the lunch table at work, bottle holder on the treadmill at the gym, seat on the bus, etc.), who knows what kind of germs are lurking on it and getting into your mouth.
• Wash your hands often. This is especially true after shaking hands with someone, before you sit down to eat, or if you've touched something others touch often like grocery store carts, gym equipment, or magazines in waiting rooms. If you can't get to a sink, use antibacterial gel.

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How to Disinfect Your Reusable Bottle

How to Disinfect Your Reusable Bottle | The beauty of the reusable water bottle is that it's just that — reusable. You can repeatedly head to the water cooler or faucet to fill 'er up, but when your bottle continually stays wet, you know what that means? Yep, bacteria loves a moist, dark environment. Along with your dinner dishes at night, it's good to get in the habit of cleaning your bottle every night, or at least every three days. Here are some ways you can get rid of the germies and grime.

Throw it in the dishwasher: Some bottles are dishwasher-safe, so check the bottom of your bottle or the brand's website to make sure. Kleen Kanteen Classic and Wide Mouth stainless steel bottles are dishwasher safe, as well as some products from Nalgene, although it's recommended to clean SIGG water bottles by hand.
Wash it with warm soapy water: Pour out any leftover liquid, add a few drops of dish-washing soap and some warm water, screw on the top and shake for a minute or so. It's smart to invest in a bottle brush so you can scrub deep inside your bottle, especially if it has a narrow mouth. Thoroughly clean the cap and straw as well and allow to dry overnight.
Use a weak bleach solution: If you're really worried about germs, nothing stands a chance against a little bleach. It's perfectly safe to drink from a bottle that's been cleaned with a weak bleach solution. Just empty the contents of your bottle and fill it with room temperature water. Add one tablespoon of Clorox bleach per gallon of water (other brands may not be safe for food containers), screw on the top, and allow to sit for two minutes. Then drain and allow it to dry out completely. Give it another rinse and you're good to go.
Use water bottle cleansing tablets: Many companies make this type of product, including SIGG ($8 for 20) and Camelbak ($12 for eight), or you can also get away with using effervescent denture cleaning tablets such as Efferdent. Just fill your bottle with water, drop the tablet in, and allow to dissolve and sit for 15 to 30 minutes (depending on the product's directions). Then rinse and enjoy your clean bottle.

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