When illness strikes your home, it can spread rapidly among family members. Once the sickness subsides, the crucial next step is ensuring your home is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. This process not only promotes health but also prevents the recurrence of illness. Here’s a detailed guide on how to clean and disinfect your house after someone’s been sick, ensuring a safe and hygienic environment for everyone.
Understanding the Difference: Cleaning vs. Disinfecting
Cleaning and disinfecting are two distinct processes, both essential in maintaining a healthy home. Cleaning involves removing dirt, dust, and impurities from surfaces. It’s the first step in the process, focusing on making surfaces visibly clean. Disinfecting, on the other hand, involves using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. It’s critical to perform both steps to ensure a truly sanitized environment.
Step-by-Step Guide to Clean and Disinfect Your House
Common Touch Points
When cleaning and disinfecting your house after someone’s been sick, start by identifying common touch points. These are areas frequently touched by different people throughout the day, such as door knobs, light switches, remote controls, faucet handles, refrigerator handles, and electronic devices.
Cleaning First
Begin with a thorough cleaning of these surfaces. Use a general-purpose cleaner and a clean cloth. For more effective results, follow these steps:
- Wipe down surfaces: Use a damp cloth with soap or a multi-surface cleaner to remove dirt and grime.
- Dispose of the cloth: If using disposable wipes, throw them away immediately. For reusable cloths, wash them in hot water after use.
Disinfecting Next
After cleaning, it’s time to disinfect. Using products like Lysol or Clorox wipes can be effective. Here’s how to use them correctly:
- First wipe: Use a disinfecting wipe to clean the surface, removing any lingering germs.
- Second wipe: Discard the first wipe and use a second one to disinfect the surface thoroughly.
- Contact time: Ensure the surface remains wet for the time specified on the product label, usually a few minutes. This ensures the disinfectant works effectively.
Detailed Areas to Focus On
Kitchen
The kitchen is a high-traffic area and can be a hotspot for germs. Clean and disinfect all surfaces where food is prepared and eaten, paying special attention to appliance handles and sinks.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are another critical area to focus on. Clean the toilet, sink, countertops, and shower thoroughly, then disinfect these areas to eliminate any remaining germs.
Living Areas
Living rooms and bedrooms also need attention. Use electronic-safe disinfectant wipes on remote controls and other devices. Clean and disinfect furniture and upholstery, and wash bedding and pillows in hot water if possible.
Best Practices for Maintaining a Clean Home
To maintain a clean and healthy environment, make a habit of regular cleaning and disinfecting, not just after illness. Encourage everyone to wash their hands regularly and use hand sanitizers. Keep your home well-ventilated to reduce the spread of airborne germs.
Conclusion
Cleaning and disinfecting your house after someone’s been sick is essential in preventing the spread of illness and ensuring a healthy living environment. By following the steps outlined above and focusing on common touch points, you can effectively eliminate germs and provide a safe space for your family. Regular maintenance and good hygiene practices will help keep your home clean and healthy long-term. If you need professional help, contact Scene Clean today.
