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8 Ways to Disinfect Your

Home During Cold and

Flu Season

by Maria Gracia Join our newsletter to be notified when the newest Organizing Article is available. One of my friends recently came down with the flu. This has me a tad concerned, as she has been over to my house several times in the past week. So, I took matters into my own hands and started disinfecting my home. While this won't guarantee I won't get sick, it still gives me some control over the situation. Here are some tips I've gathered to help if you ever find yourself in the same predicament. 1. Wash Your Hands. I know this isn't a home disinfecting tip, BUT washing your hands WELL and OFTEN is the best defense against any virus. Also, make sure to avoid touching your nose, eyes, or face…these areas are virus superhighways. 2. Disinfect the Bathrooms and Kitchen. This tip is even more applicable if anyone is suffering from the stomach flu. Every day, disinfect the bathrooms, including the floors, toilets, sinks, tubs, faucet handles and light switches. Use cleaners that indicate they disinfect viruses, like Clorox or Lysol, or consider using a bleach solution. Viruses can survive on surfaces for as long as 8 hours! 3. Disinfect the Hot Zones. Disinfect the areas and objects that are regularly used throughout your home. Some of these areas include: phones, door knobs, refrigerator handles, light switches, TV remotes, laundry baskets, toys (plastic ones can be put in the dishwasher), and faucet handles. DO NOT drive yourself crazy trying to do this though…just make a small effort to disinfect. 4. Use Disposable Paper Towels and Replace Cleaning Tools. When cleaning and disinfecting, consider using paper towels. While this isn't necessarily environmentally friendly, using disposable tools occasionally are convenient and the germs will be thrown away with the trash! After using wash cloths and sponges, put them in the dishwasher on the hottest cycle. 5. Empty Trash Cans. Trash cans are another great area for viruses to live. Empty and disinfect garbage cans too, especially if they are filled with yucky used tissues. 6. Run an Extra Load or Two. To prevent a contagious illness from spreading to healthy family members, washing towels, linens, bedding, pillow cases etc., on 'hot' will prevent the spread of viruses. Not to mention, when someone is sick with a contagious illness, they want to be as comfortable as possible. 7. Purchase New or Disinfect Toothbrushes. You may want to consider buying or disinfecting a toothbrush after being sick. Toothbrushes can harbor bacteria and viruses between bristles. Since, toothbrushes are relatively inexpensive, (I get a free one from my dentist), it might be easier to consider just getting a new one. 8. Wash Your Washing Machine after washing the bed linens, clothes and towels of a sick family member.  The moist environment in the washer is a breeding ground for germs. Run an empty cycle of hot water and add bleach to the dispenser, then run an additional cycle to ensure the bleach is gone. P.S. And if you haven’t gotten your flu shot this year, doing so is a great defense as well. Back to Organizing Articles Index