Things in your home that could be 'making you sick' – and how to combat it

It's that time of year again when a lot of us will be getting coughs and colds as the chillier weather strikes.

However, as well as plummeting temperatures, could your home also be making you sick?

One housewife, who has built up a following of 163,000 on Instagram thanks to her home, garden and lifestyle tips, has shared a new reel on the topic.

Nerkesha Rogers, known as @82pondview on the site, was seen at the start of the video cleaning her skirting board as overlay text read: "Things at home that could be making you sick..."

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The influencer was then shown cutting up a pumpkin on a chopping board, as she wrote: "Chopping boards have more germs than a toilet seat."

She recommended that followers clean their chopping boards with lemon and salt after each use.

Next, she spoke about sponges and cloths, as the social media star said they "allow bacteria to multiply quickly". She recommended using a new cloth daily to "avoid spreading germs".

Nerkesha was then seen opening her window, as she wrote: "Poor ventilation can affect the respiratory system. Open up windows, doors or use an air purifier."

She was then seen in her bedroom above her unmade bed, as she told fans: "Mattresses can cold a lot of dust and dust mites." She suggested sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on it each month before vacuuming it.

Carpets were her next target, as Nerkesha said they also "carry a lot of dust and dust mites". She suggested vacuuming them regularly and shampooing it "at least" four times a year.

Following up in her caption, the influencer wrote: "There are things in our homes that could be making us ill without us even realising.

"But trying to keep on top of these things will help the home to stay clean and healthy."

The video was a hit with her fans, with it racking up more than 96,000 likes. One person wrote: "Wow I needed this, been ill for 2 weeks straight will definitely be applying these tips."

Another added: "The window thing I do and it smells so good, reduces my anxiety and stress, and calms my mind." Someone else agreed with this point, writing: "Airing the house is so important." While another applauded her on the "great tips".

Despite all the praise, one person was shocked about one of the suggestions, asking: "A new sponge everyday for dishes?" While another moaned: "How do I find the time to deep clean, it takes so much just to stay on top of daily work."