Disinfecting Your Home When Someone is Sick: The Top 5 Things to Clean
Cold and flu season is quickly approaching, and with it comes the challenge of keeping your home healthy when someone in your household is sick or at higher risk of getting sick. While routine cleaning removes dirt and debris, disinfecting plays a key role in killing germs that can cause illness. Understanding when and how to disinfect properly helps create a cleaner, safer environment for you and your family.
In this guide, we’ll walk through when disinfecting is necessary and the top five areas to focus on to stop germs in their tracks.
When Disinfecting is Needed
Disinfecting goes beyond basic cleaning, it kills germs on surfaces throughout your home, helping prevent sickness from spreading. It’s not something that needs to be done daily, but it’s essential to be prepared. Here’s how to know when to disinfect:
- Someone in your home is sick or recovering from being sick.
- You’ve had someone over who may have been exposed to an illness.
- There are individuals in your home who are more susceptible to becoming sick (such as infants, the elderly, or anyone with a weakened immune system).
When disinfecting, remember these pro tips that will ensure effective and safe cleaning:
- Allow the product to sit for the directed contact time. Disinfectants require the surface to remain visibly wet for a given amount of time. Refer to the product label to ensure that it is applied properly.
- Wear protective equipment when disinfecting. Gloves, and sometimes masks or goggles, will protect you from exposure to strong chemicals.
- Never mix chemicals. Combining cleaning products, especially bleach and ammonia, can create toxic fumes.
Pro Tip: Starting with clean surfaces is key to disinfecting. Clean, then Disinfect.
Want to learn more about the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting? Check out our previous blog, “Fight Cold & Flu Season with These 3 Essential Cleaning Steps.”
The Top 5 Places to Disinfect:
When battling germs, disinfecting your entire home can feel overwhelming. Start with these five key areas where germs are most likely to spread:
1. Kitchen Counters
The kitchen can be one of the busiest rooms in the home. Disinfecting food-contact surfaces is key to helping reduce bacteria. Areas to focus on include:
- Countertops
- Sink
- Cutting boards
Wipe down these surfaces regularly to maintain good home hygiene and remember to use a food-safe disinfectant.
2. High Touch Areas
Stop the spread of germs by focusing on the surfaces your family touches daily. This includes:
- Doorknobs and handles
- Light switches
- Remote controls
- Cell phones and other electronic devices
Using disinfectant wipes on these areas can make a big difference in keeping your household healthy.
3. Bathroom Surfaces
Bathrooms tend to hold the most bacteria in any home. Focus your efforts on disinfecting these areas:
- Toilet seat and flush handle
- Sink and countertop
- Tub and shower
Make sure to properly ventilate the bathroom when cleaning with disinfectant products.
4. Laundry and Linens
Germs can linger on soft surfaces like towels, blankets, and clothing. Luckily, most can be killed during washing. Use warm or hot water and add a laundry-safe disinfectant when possible. Key items to disinfect include:
- Bath towels
- Kitchen towels
- Blankets
Remember to wash your hands throughout the cleaning process, especially if someone in the household is sick.
5. Soft Surfaces
For items that you can’t throw in the washer, use a disinfectant that can be applied to soft surfaces. Spray to kill germs on:
- Upholstered furniture
- Carpet and large rugs
- Decorative pillows
Always check the label before applying to fabric surfaces.
Knowing when and how to disinfect your home can dramatically reduce the spread of illness and keep your household healthy all year long. Focus on high-touch and high-traffic areas, follow safety guidelines, and let disinfectants do their job by giving them enough time to work.
Zep offers a full line of disinfectants designed to make your home not only cleaner, but also safer. With the right tools and techniques, you can face cold and flu season with confidence.
- Zep Inc.
