Introduction
There is nothing worse than coming down with a cold or worse flu/Covid! A week full of planned productive tasks, healthy life choices or fun holiday plans, all put on pause. It's frustrating, and you feel miserable. I recently was going through my planner, because it is chalk-full of great tasks to tackle all year long (including a helpful Spring Cleaning task list that I shared earlier this year) but I noticed there wasn't any specific list for Cold/Flu season cleaning. So I decided to come up with my own and share helpful ways to reduce the spread of germs this winter season.
Understanding Germ Hotspots
You might be wondering where to even start, and I like to focus on the germy hotspots of my home. A germ hotspot is any place that gets a lot of foot/hand traffic and therefore is an area where germs linger the most, like kitchens, bathrooms, door knobs and other shared spaces. We breathe, cough and sneeze all over our home so here are some areas to focus on during sick season.
The 10 Essential Cleaning Tasks
1. Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces
It is so important to regularly disinfect doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls. Or any other high-touch items and surfaces in our homes. A simple disinfectant can be used for any/all of these areas, but feel free to double check before disinfecting.
2. Clean and Sanitize Kitchen Surfaces
Cleaning countertops, cabinet and drawer handles, cutting boards, tabletops and appliances more regularly is a must this time of year. I recommend using vinegar solutions for sanitizing as it's not full of chemicals but still kills those nasty germs.
3. Tackle the Bathroom
Bathrooms are breeding grounds for germs all year long, so be sure to focus in on cleaning toilets, flush handles, sinks, faucet handles and knobs and showers regularly. 1-2x a week if you can.
4. Wash Bedding and Towels
Washing sheets and towels helps reduce germ transfer. So a weekly washing with hot water for maximum sanitation is recommended. We also wash our mattress protector as needed and give our mattress a vacuum as well.
5. Vacuum and Dust Common Areas
Dust can always seem so harmless, until you realize that dust can trap allergens and germs alike.
Giving your floors a regular vacuuming and dusting living areas can help to maintain a healthier environment overall. Don't forget to vacuum the couch, arm chairs and other seats with cushions as well.
6. Clean Electronics
Phones, tablets, and computers can harbor germs. And we are on these devices all day every day, so it just makes sense to tackle them a little extra during sick season.
You can easily find wipes specifically designed for electronics to keep them clean, just about anywhere.
7. Disinfect Gym Equipment
Whether you visit a gym, or have a workout space at home, cleaning gym equipment before and after use is important. We can't be guaranteed that the other people at the gym, or even our own family members at home, remembered to wipe down the treadmill, bike, yoga mat, dumbbells etc.
I suggest bringing your own personal wipes as an extra precaution when at the gym, even if you know your gym facility provides some.
8. Manage Pet Areas
Yes, even our fuzzy family members can spread germs if not taken care of properly. Depending on your animal, proper hygiene is necessary for their overall health as well as yours, so keep up on grooming's, baths and maintenance of clean skin and fur on your pets.
Another thing to try to keep up on is the cleanliness of your pets daily use items. Keep a tracking list of the last time you washed their toys, beds and blankets. As well as washing out their food dishes a few times per week. If we eat off of clean plates, they deserve clean dishes as well.
9. Pay Attention to Air Quality
Okay we have talked about surface area contact germs, but what about the germs that live in the air? Having poor air quality in your home increases the chances of those air germs attacking the immune system. Open up your windows every so often or look at increasing airflow in your home by getting your air ducts looked at and cleaned out.
If you don't already, I suggest using air purifiers and regularly changing HVAC filters, to ensure your home is healthy all year long.
10. Organize and Declutter
Keeping your space organized is useful for multiple different reasons. You can keep a better inventory of what you have, it makes your space feel put together and clean, and it also can highlight areas that are in need of some deep cleaning.
Keeping all areas decluttered makes wiping counters, surfaces, floors and more easier to clean.
Conclusion
These cleaning tasks are important and helpful to prevent the spread of illness, and implementing these tasks can lead to a healthier home and workspace.
Start using these practices as a routine during cold and flu season for better health and wellness.
BONUS TASK: Give your indoor car handles, buttons and car keys a good wipe with a disinfectant wipes too!
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