Healthy Remodeling Choices: Brass And Copper Doorknobs Have Antibacterial Properties
When remodeling your home, there are many big and small decisions to make. Choosing decorative touches, such as fixtures, is one of the more creative and fun decisions to be made. But, the choice of metal for your fixtures may not be just aesthetically pleasing. Did you know that your choice of metal in fixtures, such as doorknobs, can benefit your health?
Thinking Nasty Thoughts About Doorknobs
Think about how often people touch the doorknobs in your home. Now, think about how often you clean the doorknobs in your home. Does it make you cringe just a little? Yes, doorknobs are one of the dirtiest places in your home and one of the most overlooked for cleaning. Bacteria of all types can be transferred to your doorknobs from unclean hands. Some of these bacteria cause serious illness and are quite contagious. Some of the bacteria found on doorknobs (and some of their symptoms) include:
How Choosing Brass and Copper Doorknobs Can Reduce Bacteria
It’s an interesting but little known fact that brass and copper have natural bacteria killing properties. This property is called the oligodynamic effect and is a result of the metal ions having a negative impact on the bacteria on the surface. Both copper and brass doorknobs are used frequently in hospitals and other bacteria-prone sites because of this natural ability to self-disinfect. Pure copper has been shown to kill some organisms as quickly as 15 minutes. And, brass has been shown to disinfect in as quickly as 7 hours.
While choosing these types of fixtures for your home remodel can be a healthy decision, it’s not a substitution for good housekeeping and hygiene. Although bacteria are reduced on these materials, natural substances such as human sweat have shown to reduce the natural antibacterial properties over time.
Routine cleaning and proper hand-washing, along with the use of copper or brass fixtures, can reduce your family’s exposure to harmful bacteria in your home. When planning your remodel, consider the use of these materials over stainless steel. For more information, contact a company like Pocono Remodeling.
When remodeling your home, there are many big and small decisions to make. Choosing decorative touches, such as fixtures, is one of the more creative and fun decisions to be made. But, the choice of metal for your fixtures may not be just aesthetically pleasing. Did you know that your choice of metal in fixtures, such as doorknobs, can benefit your health?
Thinking Nasty Thoughts About Doorknobs
Think about how often people touch the doorknobs in your home. Now, think about how often you clean the doorknobs in your home. Does it make you cringe just a little? Yes, doorknobs are one of the dirtiest places in your home and one of the most overlooked for cleaning. Bacteria of all types can be transferred to your doorknobs from unclean hands. Some of these bacteria cause serious illness and are quite contagious. Some of the bacteria found on doorknobs (and some of their symptoms) include:
- Staphylococcus: skin infections
- E-coli: digestive problems such as diarrhea and other symptoms of food poisoning
- Streptococcus: strep throat, pneumonia, and skin infections
- Salmonella: digestive problems such as diarrhea and other symptoms of food poisoning
- Campylobacter: severe diarrhea
How Choosing Brass and Copper Doorknobs Can Reduce Bacteria
It’s an interesting but little known fact that brass and copper have natural bacteria killing properties. This property is called the oligodynamic effect and is a result of the metal ions having a negative impact on the bacteria on the surface. Both copper and brass doorknobs are used frequently in hospitals and other bacteria-prone sites because of this natural ability to self-disinfect. Pure copper has been shown to kill some organisms as quickly as 15 minutes. And, brass has been shown to disinfect in as quickly as 7 hours.
While choosing these types of fixtures for your home remodel can be a healthy decision, it’s not a substitution for good housekeeping and hygiene. Although bacteria are reduced on these materials, natural substances such as human sweat have shown to reduce the natural antibacterial properties over time.
Routine cleaning and proper hand-washing, along with the use of copper or brass fixtures, can reduce your family’s exposure to harmful bacteria in your home. When planning your remodel, consider the use of these materials over stainless steel. For more information, contact a company like Pocono Remodeling.