Best way to clean your house to avoid getting sick

We all want to keep our household safe and stop the spread of germs, whether it’s Covid-19 or a cold or flu. So if someone in your home is sick, how can you keep germs at bay? Try the following cleaning tips to stop germs from spreading.

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Before you get started cleaning the house to reduce the spread of germs, be sure you know what will work to get rid of germs. Hand sanitiser isn’t always effective for every illness but a bleach-based cleaner typically does a good job at killing germs.

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Learn the areas or things people touch the most in your home. These are things like handles, taps, toilet handles, railings and other frequently used items. Bacteria and viruses can live on surfaces for days and even weeks.

As mentioned before, hand sanitiser can help but it’s only one tool to combat germs. Wash bedding in hot water and wipe down other items with a bleach-based cleaner. Paper towels are better for disinfecting surfaces than sponges, which will spread germs more.

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You don’t want the air to become stale in the house when someone is sick because it will keep germs in the house longer. Open the windows just long enough to get some fresh air to circulate.

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Disinfectants can be effective provided they’re used correctly. To make sure a disinfectant works correctly, make sure you mist the surface and wipe it with a microfibre cloth or paper towel. Let the disinfectant sit on the surface for the time listed on the product label. The disinfectant needs time to work and after that time is up, wipe away any residue left.

Not only do you need to wipe down surfaces and things that get a lot of use, you’ll also want to wash blankets on the couch that everyone uses and clean bath and hand towels. Disinfect bathroom items like the toothbrush holder and the medicine cabinet.

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Yes, you’ll even want to clean your cleaning supplies too as an additional safeguard to prevent the spread of sickness. Those microfibre clothes you’re using to clean need to be washed in order to continue to be effective in eradicating germs.

It’s important to keep communal areas clean to prevent the spread of germs. Even some personal items like a mobile phone should be cleaned. Don’t forget to clean doorknobs and items in the kitchen where everyone tends to grab things.

Proper handwashing is especially important when someone in the house is sick. The Australian Government Department of Health recommends people scrub their hands for 20 seconds. A good way to remember how long to wash your hands is to sing the “Happy Birthday” song to yourself while you do it. Not only that, but people shouldn’t share food or drinks with someone who is sick. People should also avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.

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