Keeping the Flu at Bay: Techniques to Disinfect Your House and Maintain a Healthy Home

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Updated on:

July 13, 2023

Combatting the Flu: A Comprehensive House Cleaning Guide for a Germ-Free Home

To prevent more viruses and bacteria from growing, it is crucial to disinfect your home after being sick. If you or your family member get sick during the flu season, it is very easy to avert spreading the sickness by learning a few cleaning tips.

The task of disinfecting requires a few different cleaners than regular cleaning products you use for clean ups. Fortunately, in this article we will talk about what supplies you need to use to disinfect your home after the flu or other virus, and how to use them.

Key Takeaways:

  • Disinfect your home after the flu to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria.
  • Choose effective cleaning supplies containing disinfectants like bleach and follow the manufacturer's instructions for contact time.
  • Prioritize high-touch surfaces, disinfect hard surfaces, and clean bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and common areas regularly.

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Table of Contents (Show)

Table of Contents (Hide)

cleaning supplies for disinfecting

1. Choosing Effective Cleaning Supplies to Disinfect Your Home

In order to successfully disinfect and deep clean your home, you need to get the right supplies. The first thing you should do to figure out if your product is good for disinfecting is read the ingredients. If your product contains disinfectants like bleach, it is perfect to use to get rid of any flu germs after someone in your household falls ill, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Another important aspect you need to know is the contact time that each disinfectant requires in order to work. Contact time tells you how long your product needs to stay on the surfaces in order to successfully kill germs. It is very important to follow the manufacturer's instructions on each disinfectant spray you are using to get the best results.

1. Top Disinfectants for a Germ-Free Environment

There are a lot of different products on the market that are great for disinfecting. From disinfecting sprays to disinfecting wipes, there are many options you can choose depending on your preference and budget.

One of the all time favorites is the Lysol Disinfectant Spray. This spray kills 99.99% of viruses and bacteria, including COVID-19 virus. It is perfect to use on all types of surfaces including kitchen counters and other high touch surfaces. This product is a must have for the cold and flu season.

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are also a great option for disinfecting. These all-purpose disposable and disinfecting wipes remove common allergens, germs and kill other infectious diseases. This product is great to use to sanitize computer keyboards, tv remotes, and other high touch items around your home.

2. DIY Disinfectant: Effective and Budget-Friendly Options

If it is not in your budget to buy new disinfecting products, it is not a problem. You can diy your own disinfectant spray by using a common item like bleach. Making a disinfectant with bleach is just as good as using a fancy sanitizer.

Mix 5 table spoons of bleach with a gallon of water and follow a contact time of one minuter for it to work. One of the benefits of using this bleach solution for disinfecting is that it is safe to use around food areas since it is sanitizing but the dilution prevents it from being toxic.

home steam cleaner for disinfecting house after flu

3. Utilizing Steam for Thorough Disinfection

Steam cleaners are great tools to use to clean surfaces in your home as well as to prevent spread of germs. Steam easily destroys any flu viruses without requiring any harsh chemicals. This versatile machine can be used for sanitizing surfaces like wood, as well as items like stuffed animals.

One of the best steamers on the market is the Fortador Volt Mini. This steam machine is portable and easily stored. Even though it is small, it is powerful enough to clean and disinfect your home like no other product.

Steam cleaner and be used for mold and mildew removal at home.
how to disinfect the home after flu

House Disinfection After the Flu: Essential Steps

After carefully choosing products you want to use to disinfect your household, you can start cleaning.

House deep cleaning should already be implemented in your lifestyle. This will give you a head start when you need to disinfect your home after a flu virus or any other illness.

supplies for disinfecting house

Key Supplies for Disinfecting Your Home

1. Disinfecting cleaning product

We have already listed different sanitizing sprays you can use, but you can always pick something you already have. Just make sure that you are not mixing your disinfectant with other products that contain ammonia.

2. Gloves

When working with sanitizing products, it is important to wear gloves to protect your hands. These products can cause irritation and dry out your hands.

3. Paper towels

It is best to use paper towels when disinfecting surfaces since they are disposable. Sponges and rags harbor bacteria and require frequent washing.

Cleaning process

door handle disinfection

1. Sanitizing High-Touch Surfaces: A Must for Flu Prevention

Things like light switches, remote controls, cell phones, door handles and door knobs are crucial to sanitize if a sick person has been touching those items. These places can cause other members of the family to get sick since they are high touch items.

This is also why it is important to wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer in order to prevent yourself from catching cold flu and other illness when you have someone in your household that is ill.

counter top disinfection

2. Disinfecting Hard Surfaces: Key Steps for a Clean Home

Make sure to disinfect all the hard surfaces like tables, counter tops, desks, and other furniture. To make the process faster and easier, you can use disinfecting wipes to wipe and steam all the surfaces.

toilet cleaning with steam for disinfecting

3. Complete Bathroom Cleaning for Germ-Free Hygiene

Bathrooms collect a lot of germs due to the moist and warm environment. To clean the bathroom, use your preferred disinfectant to wipe clean the countertop, sink, light switches, cabinet knobs, and garbage cans.

Collect all bathroom towels and wash them with hot water and sanitizing laundry soap. It is important to clean any shared towels, like hand towels, in order to not continue the spread of germs.

You should also sanitize all the toothbrushes by soaking them in hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes, replace them with new can be a great idea.

kitche disinfection after flu

4. Kitchen Disinfection: Ensuring Food Safety and Cleanliness

To disinfect the kitchen you should always use food-safe cleaning products. Wipe all the non porous surfaces with a paper towel and a disinfectant. Don't forget to clean the refrigerator handles, wash dishes in hot water, and sanitize dining table and chairs if made out of hard material.

bedroom floors cleaning with steam

5. Bedroom Sanitization: Creating a Healthy Sleeping Environment

Start sanitizing by wiping surfaces like night stands, desk, and bed frame with mattress. It is crucial to wash all the bedding after a sick person. The germs can thrive in the bedding material for days or even weeks after cold and flu. Wash the sheets on the hottest setting with a sanitizing laundry detergent.

Grab any dirty clothes that was worn during the illness and wash them in the hottest water to kill any remaining germs. If you have any stuffed toys, throw them in with the clothes to sanitize.

windows cleaning with steam at living room

6. Living Room Germ Control: Keeping Common Areas Clean

Usually, a sick person stays in their room, but if this is not the case it is crucial to disinfect all the common areas in your household as well.

Use a disinfectant and paper towel to get all the hard surfaces. Wipe remote controls, light switches, and other frequently touched items in the living room.

hand washing with soap

Expert Tips for Effective Home Disinfection

  1. Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap to prevent the spread of illness.
  2. After you are finished sanitizing your home, open all windows to let any lingering cleaning product smell out and fresh air in.
  3. Stuffed animals collect more germs than you think, so you should always wash them in hot water and satizing detergent.
  4. You should sanitize your home year round, even when no one is sick.

Getting sick is never pleasant, and spreading the flu to your loved ones is even worse. By frequently sanitizing your home, all can be prevented. You do not need to use any fancy cleaning supplies in order to disinfect your house effectively. All you need is some time and with the tips and guidance from this article, you will see a drastic difference in your health and your family's. Performing a deep clean at home and HVAC coil cleaning don't only benefit your health, but also makes it more enjoyable to spend time in your home.

About the Authors

Kristina Tretyakova
Distinguished as a South Florida Top-10 student in 2021. Studying Marketing and Business Administration at FIU. Proficient in daily operations and skilled in cleaning, auto detailing and copywriting.
Olga Drążewska
With a decade of experience in export operations and logistics, I bring a wealth of expertise to the field. I've navigated the complexities of logistics with precision, ensuring smooth operations and seamless exports. Cleaning expert.

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