The cooler weather often brings with it a variety of illnesses, from the common cold to the flu to coronavirus, so you need to know how to minimize the spread of germs. In recent years we have all become more aware of the dangers posed by viruses and other germs. During flu season we need to be even more careful and know how to disinfect a home after a flu or cold. Learn what things to clean after getting sick and how to keep germs at bay so you get sick less all year long.
How do you disinfect your house after a cold?
Think about all the areas where people spend time in your home and all the things they touch. If you want to clean your house after you have the flu, you should disinfect these areas first, including the bathroom and kitchen. Since the kitchen and bathroom are the most frequently used rooms in the home, they can also be the most contaminated and should be prioritized when cleaning after the flu.
Clean after illness – Disinfect common areas and frequently touched items
Things like cabinet handles, doorknobs, and light switches can be breeding grounds for harmful viruses and should be disinfected after you become ill. The family computer, laptops, game consoles and especially cell phones andRemote controls should be cleanedand disinfected. To disinfect these items, a slightly damp cloth with soapy water, disinfectant wipes or a disinfectant spray is usually sufficient. Be sure to clean the entire surface and the areas between buttons or under switches.
After a gastrointestinal infection or fever – change towels and bed linen
After a gastrointestinal infection or fever, you should wash your towels and bed linens. Use color-safe bleach if it is safe for the fabric. If you do not use bleach,you can do your laundrystill disinfect. Do not share your towels or blankets with others, especially if someone in the house is already sick. You may need a few extra loads of laundry, but keeping these items clean and disinfected can help prevent the spread of the flu. Use the hottest water specified in the washing instructions for the specific garment. If you need to use cold water, you can add 5-10 drops of tea tree oil to naturally disinfect your laundry.
Clean after illness - let in fresh air
Knowing how to disinfect the air after an illness can be just as important as knowing how to disinfect surfaces. Open a window for a few minutes, even if it is cold, andlet the fresh airRejuvenate you and your living space. Vacuuming can help minimize dust and other airborne contaminants that contribute to illness and respiratory problems. Use a diffuser with purifying essential oils like tea tree or lavender to give your home a fresh, clean scent after purifying the air.
What to do after being sick – change toothbrushes and disinfect pacifiers
Keep a supply of spare toothbrushes for the whole family so that no one recovering from an illness is exposed to more germs. Pacifiers, teethers and some small toys can be cleaned and disinfected in the dishwasher. Most dishwashers allow you to place these items on the top shelf and use the hottest setting.
Tipp: You can disinfect your toothbrush by soaking it in hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes.
Thoroughly clean all rooms in the apartment
During flu season, it's a good habit to incorporate disinfecting into your weekly cleaning routine to prevent the spread of harmful germs.
Cleaning after illness – bathroom
Clean all hard surfaces with disinfectant: the vanity, toilet, sink, handles, knobs, shower, bathtub, mirror and trash can. Shared items need to be cleaned especially thoroughly if you or someone in your household is sick.
Clean the kitchen
Clean all hard surfaces with a disinfectant: the countertops, the sink, the handles on the refrigerator, knobs and handles on drawers and cupboards, the trash can, the areas where food is prepared, the kitchen table and chairs (if made of hard material ).
Tipp:It's tempting to reach for a sponge when disinfecting the kitchen, but sponges can harbor bacteria. Therefore, always use paper towels or cloths that can be washed.
Getting the bedroom clean
Clean all hard surfaces with disinfectant: the desk, chair, bed frame, furniture handles. Also wash any dirty clothing that you or someone in your household wore during the illness.
Remove all dishes from the room and place them directly in the dishwasher to disinfect or wash them by hand with hot water and detergent.
Living rooms or common areas
Ideally, the sick person stays in their room, as far away from other household members as possible. However, everyone will go to different areas of the house to get chicken soup and tissues. Try to retrace your steps while you were sick or the steps of the sick person in your household,and cleananything you might have touched.
