Things To Clean After Having A Cold Or The Flu

Cold season starts at the end of summer. Followed by flu season. So what are you supposed to do this time of the year to prevent getting sick? What should you do once you get sick to avoid spreading germs around?

Everyone gets sick and spreads germs at some point. We all like to think we are clean, and practice good habits, and I’m not saying you don’t, but we also are human. Sometimes we do something gross, and we don’t realize we’re doing it.

If you have kids, they will probably get sick this year because they go to school and things get passed around. So the whole family needs to practice good hand washing skills. Teach kids not to put their fingers in the eyes, nose, or mouth at all. If they do make sure they’re clean first and wash them after you do.

Carry hand sanitizer or disposable hand wipes use these when you can’t wash your hands. Another thing we need to teach your kids is to cough and sneeze into their elbow.

That’s all you can do to prevent getting sick. Even if you get the flu shot, you can still get sick with something else.

• Disinfecting sprays like Lysol or Seventh Generation

• Hydrogen Peroxide

• Denture tablets

• Rubbing alcohol 70% or rubbing alcohol pads

• Disinfecting cleaning wipes

• Pledge multi-surface antibacterial everyday cleaner

Isolate the sick family members to prevent the spread of illness.

Disinfect these surfaces once a day with disinfecting wipes or spray. To help prevent the spread of germs. I prefer rubbing alcohol pads.

• Phones

• remote controls

• keyboard and mouse

• doorknobs

• toilet handle

• sink handles

• fridge and freezer door handles

Make sure whoever is taking care of the sick washes their hands after caring for the sick.

As the mother and caretaker in my family, I also follow these steps when I am sick too. I am enjoying the new Seventh Generation Disinfecting Spray.

Seventh Generation came out with the disinfecting spray I love. I spray toilets, door handles, and other surfaces that are harder to clean.

Old towels are great if your kids will camp out on the couch while sick. Lay down old towels and put a sheet on top. If they end up throwing up or are sneezing a lot, you won’t worry about the couch getting dirty. This works for beds too. The same goes for the pillow. If you’re sweating from a fever, you will not have to change the sheets in the morning.

Until whoever is sick is on the mend, don’t worry about cleaning that much. I would focus more on keeping the common household surfaces disinfected. Since many brands have wipes and sprays that is easy. 

Once everyone is better, it’s time to clean everything.

Denture cleaner sounds weird but its antibacterial and can clean a lot of things easy. Your kids when they get sick they will touch toys and water bottles that can’t go in the dishwasher. You can soak toys in denture cleaner. You can put kid’s toys in a bowl of cold water and then drop in some denture tablets, and it will kill germs.

If your kids have been sick a lot consider that their toys may be part of the problem. Legos or other hard plastic toys can get nasty. I put Legos or action figures in a mesh bag and put them on the top rack of the dishwasher.

Rubbing alcohol is my disinfectant of choice. Lysol spray is also an excellent disinfectant. Sprays can kill germs quick just be sure the room is ventilated. 

Once someone has been sick, you need to clean every surface in your home. That’s the reason I recommend the Pledge multi-surface spray you can use it anywhere. Once someone in your house has been sick, wipe the house down once they are doing better.

I recommend getting all the linens off the beds all the towels they have used and washing them in hot water. When you dry the laundry put it on the highest heat setting.

Kids can help clean up. Make sure they wear protective gloves and then give them some wipes.

Lysol has a spray for fabrics. I prefer to wash what I can.

You also need to air out your house because the air is stuffy after a few days of staying in. Do this while cleaning because the cleaning products can smell strong.

Do not forget the car. Use disinfecting wipes and wipe the steering wheel, knobs, and door handles.

I also disinfect the toothbrushes. I put them in a cup of hydrogen peroxide for at least ten minutes and rinse before using.

Some experts also recommend changing your air filters.

The gist is once a bug has affected anyone in your home it’s time to clean house once they are well. If the whole family gets sick, you still need to clean. You can get sick again.

I hope this advice will help you stay healthy.