The cold and flu season brings with it a whole host of concerns for homeowners, with the primary one being how to sanitize your house after being sick. When someone in your household falls prey to infectious diseases, germs can linger on various surfaces and potentially increase the risk of spreading sickness. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process to effectively sanitize and disinfect surfaces, ensuring the health and well-being of your family.
How to Sanitize Your House After Being Sick: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Let in Fresh Air
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to clean the home after being sick is to let in fresh air. Open windows and doors for a few hours to allow proper air circulation and to remove any stale or stagnant air trapped inside.
Step 2: Wash Your Hands and Wear Gloves
Before starting the cleaning process, thoroughly wash hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap. This ensures that you are not spreading germs while sanitizing the house. Always wear disposable gloves when handling cleaning products, especially if you are still recovering from illness.
Step 3: Use the Right Cleaning Products
To get the best results, you must use good disinfectant cleaning products capable of killing flu germs, stomach bugs, and flu viruses. Products containing bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or alcohol are suitable for most surfaces. Be sure to read the instructions on the cleaning solution to ensure you are using it correctly.
Step 4: Focus on High-Touch Surfaces
Start by cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces like remote controls, door handles, and cabinet knobs, which are known to harbor most germs. Use disinfecting wipes or a cleaning solution of bleach and water for non-porous surfaces. Don’t forget to sanitize light switches, countertops, and bedside tables, too.
Step 5: Clean the Bathroom
Bathrooms can be breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. Start by cleaning the sink, faucet, and toothbrush holder with soapy water. Then, disinfect surfaces such as the toilet seat, flush handle, and shower with a bleach solution or disinfectant spray. Now’s the time to wash bath rugs, towels, and hand towels, too. Use hot water and a high heat setting for the dryer to kill germs.
Step 6: Deep Clean the Kitchen
To prevent the spread of germs, deep clean the kitchen as well. This includes wiping down countertops, the kitchen table, stove, and sink with disinfecting wipes. Be sure to clean and disinfect the refrigerator door handle and microwave keypad. Wash kitchen towels in hot water and let them air dry, and don’t forget to empty and clean garbage cans.
Step 7: Disinfect Electronic Devices and Objects
Flu germs can survive on hard surfaces like smartphones, tablets, and laptops for up to 24 hours. To disinfect these items, use a cleaning solution specifically designed for electronic devices or wipe them down with alcohol-based disinfecting wipes.
Step 8: Wash and Sanitize Bed Linens, Clothes, and Stuffed Animals
Dirty clothes, bed linens, and even your child’s favorite stuffed animals can harbor flu germs. Therefore, wash them in hot water and dry them on a high heat setting to kill any remaining germs. For delicate items, use a steam cleaner, or place them in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer overnight.
Step 9: Promote a Hygienic Environment
Make it a habit to use disposable dishes, cups, and utensils if a sick person is still present in the house. This will prevent the spread of germs among household members. Additionally, keep hand sanitizer readily available around the home to encourage regular hand sanitizing.
Step 10: Maintain a Clean Home
After completing the sanitization process, make sure to maintain a clean home throughout the flu season. Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces and wash your hands to reduce the risk of spreading sickness.
In conclusion, it is essential to know how to sanitize your house after being sick to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. By following the steps above and using the right cleaning products, you can ensure the health and wellbeing of your family. Remember to act quickly and regularly sanitize your home, especially during flu season, to minimize the risk of spreading germs.