How to Deep Clean and Disinfect Your Home After Illness

Once an illness has hit your household, the aftermath can be very stressful. Those invisible to the naked eye viruses can still be present on the contaminated surfaces of your household long after the symptoms fade; thus, they can pose a threat to the health of everyone living there. For this reason, a deep cleaning and disinfecting process is not only your duty, but your best shield to take control of a safe and fresh home again. However, there is a problem; cleaning on its own won’t work. 

The truth is, to fully safeguard your friends and family, you must recognize the great difference between cleaning and disinfecting. It is not that you give a thorough scrub; it is the complete removal of those microscopic organisms that cause diseases. In the case of doorknobs, countertops, and remote controls, there are no less important elements. Step-by-step, you will learn how to eliminate the germs in an efficient way, and how to bring fresh air to your home and make it a place where good health is maintained.

Cleaning vs. Disinfecting: What’s the Difference?

Although cleaning and disinfecting play different roles, both are important in ensuring that the home is disease free particularly when it comes to the aftermath of an illness. With the help of soap and water, cleaning removes dirt, dust, and some germs on surfaces, thereby decreasing their number, but not eliminating all of them. Disinfecting on the other hand uses chemicals to administer the killing of germs,bacteria,viruses that cannot be eliminated through cleaning. Therefore, cleaning and consequently disinfecting will enable an elimination of the dirt and the killing of the left-over germs and this will be the most appropriate way of eliminating the germs and consequently securing the house.

Clean and Disinfect High-Traffic Surfaces

The areas that are likely to be touched most are the ones that harbor germs the most. These are:

• Doorknobs
• Light switches
• Remote controls
• Countertops
• Faucets and toilet handles

To avoid diseases spread, cleaning and disinfecting of these places should be performed regularly.

Step-by-Step Guide to Disinfect and Refresh Your Home

Step 1: Ventilate and Air Out the Home

The initial action to create cross-ventilation in your home is to open windows and doors of different rooms. Besides, installing exhaust fans in a bathroom and a kitchen will help get rid of the stale air outside quickly. It is very important to refrain from using air recirculation modes on your HVAC system during and shortly after illness to avoid the spread of germs.  Setting up portable fans near open windows can double the fresh air flow. Proper ventilation not only brings down the levels of bacteria in the air but also helps in the removal of the odor that contributes to the freshness of the home and the feeling of safety.

Step 2: Gather the Right Cleaning and Disinfecting Supplies

First of all, when you are going to do your deep cleaning, you need disposable gloves and masks in order to protect yourself from contamination. Detergents or soaps must be the first choice when you clean, as they remove dirt and organic matter more effectively. The best is to use disinfectants with EPA registration as these will be the ones to kill viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Along with microfiber cloths or disposable wipes, bacteria can be captured and removed. For the disposal of used cleaning materials and contaminated waste, trash bags must be there which will ensure a hygienic cleanup process.

Step 3: Clean First, Then Disinfect

In every case, you should commence the procedure by cleaning the surfaces using the soap and water solution to get rid of the visible dirt and grime. When you are disinfecting, do it in a way that the surface is completely and evenly covered with the disinfectant and also, keep the surface wet for the time mentioned in the manufacturer’s instructions. Never combine bleach with other cleaning agents, e.g., ammonia since such a mixture will result in the formation of toxic fumes which, when inhaled, can affect your health. It is advisable that you also wash your cleaning tools as well as the cloths you normally use for cleaning and disinfect them in order not to spread the germs into different places.

Step 4: Focus on High-Touch Areas

The most important point to be considered while cleaning is to keep the doorknobs and handles clean. These are the things that people touch the most; therefore, they are the most contaminated and need to be cleaned regularly. As the remote controls and electronic devices are the potential places for bacteria, you should clean them witih alcohol-based disinfectant wipes, but take care not to destroy sensitive electronics. The sanitization of kitchen and bathroom countertops should be part of the daily routine to stop bacteria from moving around. Faucets and toilet handles are the locations which are highly populated by germs and these are the things that people should clean well if they want to reduce the contamination risk.

Step 5: Deep Clean Bedrooms and Living Spaces

First of all, wash all the bedding, pillowcases, and curtains in hot water – at 130°F and above, preferably – to get rid of the germs that might still be there. Taking a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter can help you remove very small dust and pollen that live in the carpet and upholstery. All the hard surfaces should be sanitized, for instance, headboards, bedside tables, and light switches. Steam cleaning carpets and upholstery can be your extra disinfection if you want because the steam can go deeper than the traditional cleaning.

Step 6: Disinfect the Bathroom Thoroughly

Bathrooms are prime areas for germ growth. The inside and outside of the toilet bowl, including the seat and the flush handle, should be cleaned and disinfected. After applying the EPA-approved disinfectants, do the sinks, faucets, and taps cleaning with a scrubber. Bathroom counters, mirrors, and light switches should be wiped very often to be sure that the environment is clean and safe. Bathtubs, towels, and shower curtains should be regularly washed in hot water, which is very effective in killing bacteria. Disposable or dedicated cleaning tools should be used in the bathroom for the prevention of cross-contamination and for thorough disinfection.

Step 7: Don’t Forget the Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the primary places where germs live; hence after each use, all countertops and food preparation surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected. Faucets, sink basins, and faucet handles should be sanitized very well since they are the most touched. Wiping cabinet handles, appliance buttons, and light switches daily will not only reduce the number of bacteria but also the transfer of bacteria. Make sure to empty your trash on a regular basis and also clean your trash can with a disinfectant to keep the trash from smelling and being a source for bacteria.

Step 8: Properly Handle and Dispose of Waste

Gloves must be worn at all times when handling used tissues, masks, or cleaning cloths so that self-contamination does not take place. Contaminated waste must be sealed tightly in plastic bags so that no germs can spread. Remove these bags quickly and take them outside your house, thus avoiding contamination of your indoor space. After waste handling, handwashing with soap and water is a must. The bins for waste that contain contaminated materials should be cleaned frequently to ensure the least possible presence of germs and maintain a clean environment.

Step 9: Indoor Disinfection for Airborne Particles

Employ air purifiers that have HEPA filters as these can capture virus-sized particles that are suspended in the air and at the same time improve the indoor air quality. In case a UV-C light air sanitizer is compatible with your home setup, you may lead in such a way. These devices can deactivate many airborne viruses. Regularly change your HVAC filters and whenever possible, go for high-efficiency ones in order to lessen both dust and microbial buildup. Do not let many people come inside and make sure that the ventilation is on at all times. In this way, the possibility of the virus to be transmitted through the air will be minimized.

Step 10: Practice Ongoing Hygiene Post-Illness

Washing of hands should be on a constant basis. Do it for a minimum of 20 seconds using soap and water. Although you are already healed of your sickness, it is still important to carry on with the practice of disinfecting high-touch surfaces at least once a day at least a week. Serious consideration should be given to encouraging household clean up of respiratory hygiene of each household member by coughing and sneezing into a tissue or the crook of an arm. Wash clothes, bedding and towels on a schedule in order to ensure that chances of remaining contamination are minimal. Unless an individual is down with the illness, or he is susceptible, social distancing is recommended or even wearing masks in the indoors up to full recovery.

Conclusion

It is vitally important for you to deep clean and thoroughly disinfect your home after a family member has been ill as this is the essential step to protecting your family’s health and stopping the cycle of reinfection. Deep cleaning of bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens are very important, and doing proper waste disposal and indoor air disinfection are also necessary to help lower the number of airborne particles. The practice of good hygiene even after recovering from the illness is a great way to keep your home free of germs for a longer period of time. The professional home sanitation experts like Deep Cleaning Experts are always there to do the job for you, they will provide you with the utmost services that you can rely on.

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