Cleaning Your Home After Illness: Best Practices
Recovering from an illness can be a relief, but ensuring your home is clean and free from lingering germs is an essential next step. Proper cleaning and disinfecting after someone in the household has been unwell not only helps prevent the spread of illness but also creates a healthier environment for everyone.
In this article, we outline the best practices for cleaning your home after illness, with tips for tackling surfaces, fabrics, and frequently touched items.
1. Understand the Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting
Before you begin, it’s important to understand the distinction between cleaning and disinfecting:
- Cleaning involves removing dirt, dust, and grime from surfaces using soap and water. This process does not kill germs but reduces their numbers.
- Disinfecting kills bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens using specialised solutions like bleach or disinfectant sprays.
For effective post-illness cleaning, both steps are necessary.
2. Gather the Right Supplies
To thoroughly clean and disinfect your home, you’ll need the following items:
- Disposable gloves
- Microfibre cloths or paper towels
- A vacuum cleaner or mop
- Soap and water
- Disinfectants approved to kill viruses and bacteria (check labels for effectiveness)
- Laundry detergent
- Bin liners
Ensure proper ventilation by opening windows while cleaning, especially when using disinfectants.
3. Target High-Touch Surfaces
Germs often linger on frequently touched surfaces, so these should be a priority. Use a two-step process: clean the surface with soap and water, then apply a disinfectant. Leave the disinfectant on the surface for the recommended time before wiping it off.
High-touch areas include:
- Door handles
- Light switches
- Remote controls
- Keyboards and phones
- Countertops and tabletops
- Bathroom fixtures
4. Focus on Bathrooms
Bathrooms are hotspots for germs, particularly after illness. Pay special attention to:
- Toilets, including handles and seats
- Sink taps and counters
- Shower doors or curtains
- Towels and bathmats
Use a bleach-based disinfectant or an appropriate alternative to thoroughly sanitise these areas. Dispose of cleaning cloths or wash them immediately after use.
5. Wash Linens and Fabrics
Bedsheets, blankets, pillowcases, and clothing used during illness can harbour bacteria and viruses. Wash these items in hot water with laundry detergent, using the highest temperature setting safe for the fabric. For added disinfection, consider using a laundry sanitiser.
Don’t forget to clean soft furnishings like cushions and curtains. These can be vacuumed or steam-cleaned if they cannot be machine washed.
6. Disinfect Cleaning Tools
Your cleaning tools, such as mops, sponges, and cloths, can carry germs. After cleaning, disinfect them thoroughly or use disposable alternatives. For example:
- Soak sponges in a bleach solution.
- Wash microfibre cloths in hot water.
- Replace mop heads or disinfect them with a bleach solution.
7. Empty and Clean Bins
Dispose of tissues, masks, and other waste in a lined bin, preferably with a lid. Once emptied, clean and disinfect the bin to remove any lingering germs.
8. Pay Attention to Air Quality
Improving air quality is a vital part of restoring your home after illness. Open windows to increase ventilation and use an air purifier if possible. Some illnesses, like the flu, can spread through droplets that settle on surfaces and remain airborne for a short time. Proper airflow reduces this risk.
9. Clean Toys and Shared Items
If children have been unwell, don’t forget to clean and disinfect their toys and other shared items like board games or books. Many plastic toys can be washed with soap and water or cleaned with disinfectant wipes. For soft toys, check if they can be machine washed.
10. Encourage Hand Hygiene
Even after cleaning your home, practising good hand hygiene is essential to prevent recontamination. Encourage everyone in the household to:
- Wash their hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use hand sanitiser when soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching their face unnecessarily.
Cleaning your home after illness may feel like a daunting task, but following these best practices ensures your space is safe and hygienic for everyone. By targeting high-touch surfaces, laundering fabrics, and maintaining good air quality, you minimise the risk of illness spreading further.
A clean, disinfected home not only promotes physical health but also provides peace of mind, allowing you and your family to focus on recovery and well-being.
