Many people become ill during specific seasons, such as autumn or spring, as a result of the temperature shift, which causes the onset of the first colds and flu. Each year about 35 million people worldwide suffer from lethargy, fever, chills, and muscle aches that are symptoms of the virus. It is advised that you do more thorough disinfection than usual after a person with the flu has been in your home to destroy all the microorganisms that may have been there and guarantee that you have correctly eradicated any flu viruses that may have lingered in your home.
Cleaning after flu
Clean the mattress
Make sure to thoroughly clean the mattress if there are any fluids that have gotten past the bedding and onto it. Even if it hasn’t been hit, it could still get a good airing out, so if you can, keep the sheets off all day. Additionally, try to open all of the curtains in the room as well as the windows to let in some fresh air and sunlight. If you have special mattresses, you can hire an experienced mattress cleaning company for help.
Clean common areas
After a bout of flu, surfaces like light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles should be cleaned and disinfected to prevent the spread of dangerous viruses. It’s important to clean and sanitise the family computer, laptops, remote controls, gaming systems, and especially cell phones. These things may usually be cleaned with a lightly dampened cloth and soapy water, sanitising wipes, or a disinfectant spray.
Pillows and soft toys
Pillows and plush toys can also hold dirt and viruses. Removeable pillowcases should be washed, along with any pillows or stuffed animals that can be machine-washed (care instructions should be checked on the labels prior to washing). Use a good detergent to surface clean any items that cannot be washed in the washer.
Wash with bleach and hot water
If bleach is safe for the fabric, use colour-safe bleach. You can sanitise your laundry without using bleach. Avoid lending out your towels or blankets, especially if someone else in the house has recently fallen ill. Maintaining cleanliness and sanitization of these objects will aid in limiting the spread of the flu, even if it means doing a few additional loads of laundry. Follow the item’s laundry instructions and use the hottest water possible.
Towels
When someone is sick, try to replace the towels every day, and make sure everyone has their own set. To make things a little easier, you might consider temporarily substituting paper towels for hand towels. Just be sure to remind everyone to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly. After the illness has passed, collect all towels and wash them at the highest temperature possible. If you have some stinky towels, you can add some vinegar to the laundry cycle.
Disinfect scrubbers and cleaning sponges
The sponge in your bathroom and the scrubber in your kitchen are perfect places for germs to flourish. It’s usually a good idea to keep them as clean and as germ-free as you can, especially following an illness. Multiple sponges or scrubbers can be cleaned and sanitised in the dishwasher. For a quick clean, you could either microwave them or wash them in a washing machine with hot water.