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Everyone is finally feeling better, but what about the germs left behind? After an illness makes its way through your household, a few simple cleaning steps can help prevent it from spreading to others. From washing bedding and disinfecting high-touch surfaces to refreshing everyday items you might overlook, we're sharing practical tips to give your home a healthy reset!
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We've all been there. One person in the house gets sick, and before you know it, everyone seems to be coughing, sneezing, or reaching for the tissues.
Once everyone is finally feeling better, there's nothing quite like giving your home a good refresh. But beyond making everything look and smell clean, there are a few important steps you can take to help reduce lingering germs and lower the risk of illness spreading to other members of your household.
At Connected Health, our medical team encourages a few simple cleaning habits during and after an illness, especially during cold and flu season.
Here's your post-sickness home reset checklist!
Think about all the things we touch throughout the day without even realizing it. Door handles, light switches, remote controls, refrigerator handles, and phones can all collect germs.
Pay special attention to:
A tip from the medical team: Cleaning and disinfecting are two different things. Cleaning removes dirt and many germs, while disinfecting kills germs remaining on surfaces. Use an appropriate EPA-registered disinfectant and follow the product's instructions, including how long the surface must remain wet.
When you're sick, there's nothing better than curling up in bed or on the couch. Unfortunately, that also means your favorite blankets, pillowcases, and sheets have been along for the ride.
Once everyone is feeling better, gather up the bedding and linens used during the illness.
Wash sheets, pillowcases, blankets, towels, and washcloths using the warmest water recommended by their care labels, and dry everything completely.
Don't forget about throw blankets on the couch or the favorite stuffed animal your little one carried around while sick!
Bathrooms deserve a little extra attention after someone in the household has been sick, especially if the illness involved vomiting or diarrhea.
Thoroughly clean and disinfect the toilet, sink, faucets, countertops, and other frequently touched surfaces.
For stomach viruses like norovirus, not all disinfectants are effective. Choose a product specifically labeled as effective against norovirus and follow its directions carefully.
It's also a good time to swap out hand towels and make sure everyone has access to soap and clean towels.
Toothbrushes are easy to overlook during your post-illness cleaning routine.
While replacing a toothbrush after every cold or flu isn't medically necessary, it's a good opportunity to check whether yours is due for replacement. Toothbrushes should generally be replaced every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed.
Avoid sharing toothbrushes, and store them upright so they can air-dry without touching one another.
If you've had strep throat or another specific infection, ask your medical team whether any additional precautions are recommended.
Also consider cleaning frequently used personal items such as water bottles, reusable cups, retainers, and mouthguards according to their care instructions.
During an illness, the kitchen often becomes a gathering place for water bottles, medicine cups, tissues, and half-finished meals.
Take some time to wipe down countertops, clean reusable water bottles, wash dishes, and disinfect frequently touched handles.
Replace kitchen towels and wash reusable cleaning cloths.
And don't forget about your sponges! If a sponge is worn, smells unpleasant, or has been heavily used, it's a good time to replace it.
After several days of being stuck inside, a little fresh air can feel wonderful.
When weather permits, open a few windows to improve ventilation and help reduce airborne particles indoors. Even a short period of increased ventilation can be beneficial.
If you use an HVAC system, make sure you're following the recommended filter replacement schedule.
Fresh air doesn't replace cleaning and disinfecting, but it's another simple way to support a healthier indoor environment.
Some of the most overlooked items in the home are the ones we use constantly.
Consider giving these items a little extra attention:
You don't need to disinfect every single item in your home. Focus on the areas and objects that were used most often while someone was sick.
Once the house is clean, a few everyday habits can help reduce the chances of illness spreading to other family members.
Continue washing hands regularly with soap and water, especially before eating, after using the bathroom, and after caring for someone who's sick.
Encourage everyone to cover coughs and sneezes, avoid sharing drinks and utensils, and stay home when they're sick.
Remember that some illnesses can remain contagious even after symptoms begin improving. For example, people recovering from norovirus should avoid preparing food for others until at least 48 hours after symptoms stop.
When an illness moves through your household, it's easy to feel like germs are everywhere. The good news? You don't need to deep-clean every inch of your home to make a difference.
Focusing on high-touch surfaces, laundering frequently used items, practicing good hand hygiene, and using the right disinfectants can go a long way toward reducing the spread of illness.
At Connected Health, we believe prevention is an important part of caring for your health, and sometimes that starts with simple habits at home.
Have questions about preventing illness or keeping your family healthy this cold and flu season? Your Connected Health medical team is always here to help.
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