Keeping Your Home Healthy: Cleaning After Illness
Being sick is challenging enough, but when illness spreads throughout your household, it can make everyone feel miserable. To prevent the transmission of germs and illnesses, it’s crucial to address the dirty surfaces in your home when someone has been unwell. You’ve probably either heard the horror stories or experienced them yourself. It often starts with one person catching a nasty virus, enduring a few days of discomfort, and then, before you know it, another family member begins to show symptoms. Soon, the entire household is racing to the finish line of illness, feeling miserable together.
Consider yourself fortunate if it’s a one-time affair that doesn’t come back for round two. But what if you could have halted the spread at that very first sick family member? Here are some effective strategies to clean your home and reduce the risk of illness spreading.
Understanding How Viral Illnesses Spread
A viral infection, such as the flu, typically targets the respiratory system. According to the CDC, these viral illnesses are primarily spread through tiny droplets filled with germs that are expelled when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or even talks. Yikes! These germ-infested droplets can easily find their way into your mouth, nose, or eyes. They can also be transferred when you come into contact with a contaminated surface and then touch your own face.
It’s a gross reality, but it happens more often than we’d like to admit. Once you become aware of this, you’ll notice it every time you’re around someone who is sick. But don’t panic! There are effective measures you can take to minimize or even eliminate your exposure to these unwelcome germs.
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Prioritize Hand Hygiene
The best way to prevent illness is to effectively eliminate germs, and the simplest method is frequent and thorough handwashing. This is especially important if you have been in public spaces or near someone who is sick.
You don’t necessarily need hand sanitizer; regular soap and water are typically sufficient. The key is in the washing technique. Ensure your hands are fully covered with soap and scrub them for at least twenty seconds. Pay attention to cleaning every part of your hands, including in between your fingers and under your nails. Don’t forget to wash beneath any jewelry you might be wearing. After scrubbing for twenty seconds, rinse your hands well and dry them thoroughly. Avoid touching the dirty faucet handles with your clean hands. Use a barrier, like disposable towels or a single-use washcloth, to turn off the faucet.
Maintain a Safe Distance
Try to keep your distance from anyone displaying symptoms of illness. Since viruses spread through droplets, being closer to a sick person increases your risk of exposure. Generally, maintaining a distance of six feet should be adequate for conversation. If someone is sneezing or coughing, it’s wise to postpone the chat and remove yourself from the situation. A germ-laden sneeze can travel up to 200 feet—yikes!
Avoid Touching Your Face
It’s a habit we often do without thinking. You might rub your lips, pick at your teeth, or wipe your eyes several times a day. Each one of these actions is an opportunity to transfer germs into your body. If you must touch your face, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after doing so.
Limit Contact with the Sick Individual
This may sound harsh, but isolating the sick person can be effective in limiting the spread of germs. Encourage the ill family member to use only essential areas of the home. If they can confine themselves to just the bathroom and bedroom until they recover, you’ll have fewer spaces to worry about keeping clean, reducing the chance of illness spreading to others in the household.
Consider even letting a sick child use the master bedroom if it helps keep the rest of the family healthy by avoiding shared bathrooms. Additionally, it’s wise to designate one person as the primary caregiver during the illness—preferably the one most diligent about avoiding contact with contaminated surfaces and practicing good hygiene. Chances are, that person is you!
Disinfect Hard Surfaces
Hard surfaces are prime locations for flu and virus germs to linger, waiting for their next host. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of these surfaces are essential to maintaining a healthy home. The CDC advises that standard cleaning and disinfecting practices are effective in removing and killing germs.
Generally, most disinfectants require staying moist on a surface for three to five minutes to effectively kill germs and bacteria. Always adhere to the instructions on the product label for the best results. Pro Tip: Avoid using sponges! They tend to remain damp and can be a breeding ground for germs.
Recommended Disinfectants
- Bleach Solution: Mix 1/2 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water.
- Hydrogen Peroxide Solution: Combine 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide with 1 cup of water.
- Multi-Surface Disinfectant Spray.
- Disinfectant Wipes.
Always test any new products or DIY cleaners in a hidden area before applying them to a visible surface. Be cautious not to mix certain household chemicals, as this can create dangerous reactions.
Essential Hard Surfaces to Disinfect by Room
Bathroom:
- Door handles
- Light switches
- Drawer pulls and knobs
- Cabinet handles and knobs
- Toilet lid and seat
- Toilet handle
- Sinks
- Faucets
- Soap dispenser
- Countertops
- Shower door handle
- Shower faucet
- Toothbrushes
- Hairbrushes
- Styling tools
- Makeup brushes
Bedroom:
- Door handles
- Light switches
- Drawer pulls and knobs
- Alarm clock
- Lamp switches
- Perfume and cologne bottles
- Toys
- Video games
- Garbage can
- Laundry hamper
Kitchen:
- Door handles
- Light switches
- Cabinet handles and knobs
- Drawer pulls and knobs
- Countertops
- Refrigerator and freezer door handles
- Stove and oven temperature knobs
- Oven door handle
- Microwave door handle
- Microwave control panel
- Dishwasher door handle
- Dishwasher control panel
- Sink
- Faucet
- Soap dispenser
- Garbage can
Living Room:
- Door handles
- Light switches
- Lamp switches
- Drawer pulls and knobs
- Remote controls
Laundry Room:
- Door handles
- Light switches
- Washing machine door
- Dryer door
- Cabinet handles and knobs
- Drawer pulls and knobs
- Laundry basket
Miscellaneous Items:
- Phones
- Tablets
- Purses
- Backpacks
- Glasses
- Electronic chargers
Sanitize Fabric Surfaces
Soft surfaces and linens can also harbor germs, especially if they are damp. Make sure to sanitize all fabric surfaces that may have been exposed to the virus. Some items can be washed in the washing machine on a sanitize cycle with antibacterial detergent, while others may require spray disinfection. Always do a spot test in a hidden area before applying disinfectant to an entire surface.
Sanitize in the washing machine: Launder linens on the sanitize cycle using a laundry disinfectant.
- Sheets
- Comforters
- Blankets
- Pillows
- Pillowcases
- Clothing
- Stuffed animals
- Rugs
- Towels
- Washcloths
- Curtains
Spray to disinfect: Use a good antibacterial spray to thoroughly wet the fabric surface and allow it to dry naturally.
- Couches
- Chairs
- Mattresses
- Footstools
Improve Indoor Air Quality
Stale air can contribute to discomfort and hinder recovery. To improve air quality, consider changing your furnace air filter and opening windows to allow fresh air to circulate. Even a brief fifteen-minute airing can significantly refresh the environment.
Don’t Forget Your Vehicle
If the sick person has traveled in your car, be sure to disinfect it as well. Clean the surfaces just as you would in your home. Here are the key areas to focus on:
- Door handles (inside and out)
- Seat belts
- Gear shift
- Steering wheel
- Mirrors
- Center console
- Phone chargers
- Control panels
Cleaning to Prevent the Spread of Illness
By keeping your hands and the surfaces in your home clean and disinfected, you can greatly reduce the risk of viral illnesses affecting your entire family. Remember that proactive measures can make all the difference in maintaining a healthy household.
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