You have been using these household items incorrectly!

It’s difficult to imagine our lives without technology and our everyday gadgets which come in so handy and helpful. But did you ever know, while these may be making our work easy, we might be actually doing harm unknowingly by using them in a wrong manner. So the next time you pick them up, be sure to remember these tips before risking a health hazard.

It’s a big misconception that all food containers, except steel, can be put inside the microwave oven and reheated over and over again. The chemicals present in plastic containers when heated come in contact with the food and can affect testosterone and estrogen levels - something that has been linked to cancer. Always choose the containers which read ‘microwave safe’ and ‘heatproof’.

The more toothpaste you put on the brush, better for dental hygiene right? This is something we all have been guilty of doing. According to dentists, only a pea-sized toothpaste is enough to actually brush for two minutes precisely, otherwise you risk a fluoride problem and gum recession

Instead of using a nail file to shape the nails in a zig-zag manner which could weaken the nail bed and cause damage, one should ideally use the nail file to go from the outside to the middle point to avoid breakage.

Not every vegetable or fruit should be stored in the refrigerator as they can actually ruin their freshness. Instead, the vegetable which will rot the fastest should be kept inside. Always choose a low humidity setting for the same so that damage is avoided.

How many times should you brush your hair? You will be shocked to learn this but the lesser you brush, the better it is for your hair as it will cause less breakage. Also, one should use the brush starting from the bottom and going up to avoid tangles.

It is almost impossible to survive a cold without some tissues handy. However, we tend to blow our nose quite hard into the sheet of tissue which can actually congest the passageways and also lead to a possible sinus infection. The best way is to clear one nostril at a time.

Sanitation and thorough cleaning of kitchen sponges is very important. While it is recommended to disinfect them after 2-3 uses by keeping them immersed in hot water, the same should also be done while actually using them. This would get rid of any germs which could stick to the utensils during usage.

Many follow the hack of using more laundry detergent to whiten and clean clothes but ideally, the quantity that goes into the machine should be the same as mentioned behind the pack. Use too much and your detergent could weaken the fabric or even damage it severely.

Keeping the toothbrush in a dark cavity keeps them away from repellents or any infections right? You couldn’t be more wrong. By keeping it in a dry, dark place, you are not allowing the brush to dry completely and that also risks possible bacterial infection and molds which are prevalent in dark corners.

Having coffee is necessary for many to kickstart the day but if you want to avoid infections and diseases with your much-needed coffee fix, be sure to clean out the filters and the parts after every use to avoid bacteria to grow there.