I don’t know about you all, but I am always eager to scrub the crap out of my house after we have had been invaded with any illness. I hate to think of all the germs and grime lingering around the house. And does anyone else's house smell weird after the sickies hit? I swear my kids smell weird when they are sick. Between the runny noses, and constant coughing, the house was ready for a good clean!
Step 1: Gather Your Cleaning Supplies
DisinfectantsStore bought disinfectants or wipes – Be sure to follow instructions on the bottle for directions as it will need to sit on the surface for at least 1-2 minutes to take effect. Wipes may be an easier choice as you just wipe it on and let it air dry.I personally use lysol wipes daily in our kitchen, I use them when cleaning the bathroom and use lysol spray around the whole house.
Microfiber ClothsI generally use my Grove Collaborative cloths when I am concerned about truly getting surfaces disinfected, but I know there are many other brands of cloths out there. I fold up the cloths into smaller squares so I can switch to a clean square when I change areas and I like to have two cloths – one for scrubbing and one for wiping dry.
Step 2: Let the Sunshine In
Before you get started, try opening the windows up for some fresh air {even if it is just a crack!} and lift the blinds all the way up to let in some natural light. If you have a diffuser, add some citrus essential oils for a crisp, fresh scent.
Step 3: Get Cleaning
Here my Top 10 Things to Clean After the Flu {or other illnesses}….
1. Bedding, blankets, and other “sick” clothes.
You tend to sweat a lot more when you are sick, so strip down your bedding, gather up any throw blankets from the sofa, and add in pajamas and any other “sick” clothes. Be sure to check for and treat any stains prior to washing. Run everything on the hottest temperature that the material allows, but be sure not to overload your washing machine. This, unfortunately, may take several loads! Pillows can also be washed in the washing machine – just be sure to follow care instructions on the pillow and place two pillows in the load {on their own} to balance out the load.
2. Your Mattress
If there are any fluids that have made their way through the bedding and onto the mattress, be sure to give it a good clean. Even if it hasn’t been hit, it can do with a good airing out, so leave those sheets off all day if you can, and open the windows {if possible} and all of the blinds in the room to allow some fresh air and sunlight to hit it. You can give it a light misting with the water/essential oil mix or fabreeze (which is what I use) but ensure that you are not saturating the mattress and allow it to dry completely before putting the bedding back on.
3. The Bathroom
The bathrooms will need a good cleaning and disinfecting after illness – especially the sink, faucets, toilet, and toilet handle. I use Method Antibac Bathroom Cleaner in all our bathrooms. Its a disinfectant but has a pleasant smell and gets the job done. I'll spray the toilet and sink with it as well, and let it sit for a few minutes. Then use lysol wipes to clean and polish.
4. Your Toothbrush
If you have a cheap, disposable toothbrush that you have used for a while, you may just want to throw it away and get a new one. For newer or more expensive toothbrushes, add some hydrogen peroxide to a cup {enough to completely submerge the bristles} and allow to soak for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water when you are done. OR my favorite option especially is we've had strep throat hit the house, I'll throw all the toothbrushes in the dishwasher and run them with a load of dishes.
5. Towels
6. Stuffed Animals and Toys
Stuffed animals can be tossed into the washing machine with the other bedding to give it a thorough cleaning or you can give them a good steaming if they are too delicate to run through the washing machine. For hard surfaced toys, spray down with lysol and let air dry. If you have a baby who is a chewer, dip the rubber toys in bleach/water mixture, rinse with hot water and let air dry. Alternatively, you can place them in the top rack of the dishwasher {place small items in a mesh laundry bag} and run them through a cycle.
7. Hard Frequently Touched Surfaces
8. Electronic Devices
Wipe down all electronic devices that have been used such as phones, cell phones, computers, tablets, keyboards, and t.v. remotes using a disinfectant wipe or a slightly damp microfiber cloth using hydrogen peroxide. Allow to air dry.
9. Waste Baskets
Your garbage cans have probably held a wide variety of nasty things during an illness so don’t forget to give them a good clean once you have emptied them. You can either give it a good steam or spray with a disinfectant {leaving it for at least a few minutes} before scrubbing. It is obviously helpful if you can remember to line them with a plastic bags to help contain any germs prior to anything being put in there.
10. The Kitchen
Try as much as possible to keep sick kiddos out of the kitchen. This is the one time that I am happy to get the kids all of their food, snacks, drinks, and whatever else they desire! While everyone is sick, wipe down the refrigerator door handle and any other frequently used cabinet/drawer handles daily with a disinfecting wipe. Once everyone is feeling better, I will do a deep clean with lysol wipes to our fridge, counters and sink. I also spray the cupboard handles and drawer pulls with lysol spray and let them air dry.
While the list may sound long, it really doesn’t take too long to run through – other than waiting on all of the laundry! Remember that if you are able to confine those that are sick to just a few spaces in the home {usually the bedroom, a bathroom, and the sofa!}, it will be a lot less to clean!
