Where might you find them?
Biofilms can grow on any surface but are normally found in wet conditions. You might find biofilms in the home growing on;
- Food
- Bathroom grout
- Inside pipes
- Your toilet bowl
- Chopping boards and counter surfaces
- Pet bowls
- Knobs and handles
But the worst offenders might very well be:
- Plastic bath toys
- Cleaning sponges and dish rags
- Your kitchen sink drain
Most water supplies are susceptible to biofilms. Biofilms can also contain dangerous microbes that can make the water taste and smell bad.
To really break up the biofilms in a home, scrubbing surfaces with a metal brush, soap and water, and a 10% bleach solution is recommended.
Most people have strong enough immune systems to fend off household germs on their own, but as modern medicine allows people with suppressed immune systems to live longer, a greater number of people are more susceptible to the germs around us.
Further reading on where to find biofilms
Sarah Gibbens. What to know about the germs in your home. National Geograpic, 2018. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/household-germs-bacteria-fungi-pathogens-spd.
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