So you know that bathroom plug hole that you’ve not dared look inside for approximately 364 days? Well, it might be time to start paying attention.
You see, as gross as it may be, new research by the University of East Anglia suggests that we should be cleaning our plug-hole and de-clogging it from hair etc way more often than we are currently, (which is basically never).
Basically, all that hair and soap sludge and dirt can not only cause blockages, but could result in an environment where dangerous biofilms grow, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.
When water is run, this bacteria could be pushed back out, either coming into contact with your skin (in bathrooms) or, more worryingly, with your food (in the kitchen sink).
‘Within shower and bath drains the environment would be warm, moist and saturated with waste such as hair and skin flakes, being hospitable for microbial life,’ the study says, according to The Metro.
It continues: ‘Plugholes and drains in both the domestic household and hospitals pose potential health consequences and could promote the spread of diseases.’
The study was commissioned by a drain unblocker company, Buster, so don’t be entirely surprised that they recommend regularly unblocking your plugs with their product to prevent the problem.
To be honest though, all this talk of gloopy drains and bacteria has us sold.
