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12 Ways You Need to Clean Differently During Flu Season

Shifrah Combiths
Shifrah Combiths
With five children, Shifrah is learning a thing or two about how to keep a fairly organized and pretty clean house with a grateful heart in a way that leaves plenty of time for the people who matter most. Shifrah grew up in San Francisco, but has come to appreciate smaller town…read more
updated Feb 28, 2020
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There’s nothing better than hunkering down indoors during the cold season, wrapped under a blanket, drinking a hot beverage and watching TV. Unless, of course, your little hibernation didn’t happen by choice. Staying home all day? Great. Staying home all day because you got the flu? Agonizing.

There are plenty of things you know you can do to prevent the spread of sickness during these ill-ridden months of the year. But while you worry about washing your hands and getting vaccinated to keep your body safe, your home might be working beneath you to harbor and spread germs. (The flu virus can live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours, according to the Center for Disease Control.)

Incorporating some simple changes into your regular cleaning routine, however, can help to eliminate the germs that make their way into your home.

Cleaning to Prevent the Flu

Here are few things to remember when cleaning germ hotspots in the home:

  • Use a cleaner that will kill the flu virus: The CDC advises to use cleaners that contain chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodophors (iodine-based antiseptics), or alcohols.
  • Use disinfectants according to package instructions: A quick spray and wipe isn’t sufficient for disinfecting. In general, you need to apply enough of the disinfecting solution that it takes some time to dry from the surface. (That “dwell time” is always indicated on the label.) For more on that, read We’re All Using Clorox Wipes Wrong, Apparently.
  • Consider using disposable products: If germs are your main concern, you should know that trading out disinfecting wipes and paper towels won’t spread germs like reusing rags potentially could.
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Credit: Ellie Arciaga Lillstrom

You don’t need to totally overhaul how you clean just for flu season, though—just introduce a few easy amendments to your routine. Here are some ideas for specific germ-laden areas to target while you do your thing:

Each morning after you make the bed:

  • Switch out kitchen rags and sanitize sponges
  • Replace bathroom hand towels (or switch to disposables during flu season)

Every time you clean the kitchen:

  • Clean and disinfect cupboard and drawer handles and knobs
  • Wipe down the refrigerator door, microwave, and oven handles
  • Disinfect the faucet

Every time you straighten out the coffee table:

  • Disinfect phones and tablets
  • Wipe down the remote and game controllers
  • Wipe doorknobs and stair hand rails, if you have them

Every time you clean the floors:

  • Clean light switches in each room you clean
  • Wipe down desks and office accessories

Every time you clean the bathrooms:

  • Disinfect toilet handles
  • Disinfect faucets and faucet handles
Filed in:
Cleaning
Disinfecting
Wellness