Flu season arrives every year, and despite our best efforts to wash our hands, avoid sick individuals, and stay home when we’re feeling unwell, germs continue to invade our homes. The flu virus spreads rapidly, and one of the best defences against it is keeping our living spaces free of germs.
Adopting a few easy yet efficient cleaning practices can reduce the likelihood that flu germs will remain in your house. In this post, we’ll look at several flu preventive strategies, such as cleaning common touchpoints and keeping shoes germ-free, to help safeguard your family throughout flu season.
1. Leave Your Shoes at the Door
It may seem like a small detail, but your shoes are the perfect vehicle for germs. When you walk outside, your shoes collect germs from sidewalks, public restrooms, grocery store floors, and even public transportation. The germs on your shoes can easily make their way inside your home, where they can spread to other areas. To minimize the risk of tracking flu germs into your house, establish a rule in your home: leave your shoes at the door.
Shoes are a major culprit in bringing in harmful bacteria, viruses, and dirt, which can contribute to the spread of the flu virus. This simple habit can help prevent flu germs from spreading throughout your home, particularly in areas like the kitchen, where hygiene is crucial. If you or your kids wear shoes with laces, consider wiping them down with disinfectant or washing them regularly. It’s a simple action that can go a long way in protecting your household from flu germs.
2. Disinfect Light Switches & Doorknobs
Light switches and doorknobs are high-contact surfaces, seldom touched by family members, guests, and even delivery personnel. As such, these common touchpoints are prime spots for the flu virus to linger, as various people constantly handle them throughout the day. To help minimize the spread of germs, make disinfecting these areas a regular part of your cleaning routine.
At least once daily, thoroughly clean the two sides of light switches and doorknobs with disinfectant wipes or sprays. If your family members are particularly active or frequently come and go, you may want to clean these surfaces more often. Don’t forget that light switches and doorknobs in every room of your home, including bathrooms, bedrooms, and even hallways, need attention. Keeping these areas germ-free is an important thing in flu prevention.
3. Be Mindful of Handbags & Backpacks
It’s easy to forget where we set our bags and backpacks throughout the day, but these everyday items are often exposed to germs that can be transferred into your home. Consider whether your purse or your child’s backpack travels: public benches, bathroom floors, restaurant tables, or even the backs of chairs in crowded spaces. When you or your kids come home, these bags could carry children that will make their way into your home.
A good practice is to designate a specific spot for bags and backpacks as soon as you walk through the door, such as a storage bench or a closet by the front door. Doing this prevents them from being set on the kitchen countertop, dining table, or any other surfaces often in contact with food. To take it a step further, regularly clean your handbags and backpacks with a cleaner that is safe for the material they are made of. This will help prevent the spread of germs they may have collected throughout the day.
4. Consistently Clean Frequently Used Electronics
In today’s digital world, electronics are constantly being touched, not just by one person but by several members of the household. Items like TV remotes, smartphones, tablets, and laptops are perfect breeding grounds for flu germs, especially when snacks are involved. The remote, for example, might be touched by multiple people throughout the day, many of whom have recently eaten chips, popcorn, or finger foods. Once you pick up the remote, you can easily transfer germs to your face, especially if you snack while watching TV.
To help keep flu germs at bay, make it a habit to disinfect your electronics regularly. Use a safe cleaning wipe for electronics to wipe down TV remotes, smartphones, tablets, computer keyboards, and mice. While it may seem time-consuming, cleaning your electronics doesn’t have to be an ordeal. A quick wipe-down of all frequently used electronics can prevent the transmission of flu germs and other viruses that may be lurking.
5. Clean Kitchen Surfadoesn’the Unsung Hero
Although you might not be aware of it, your kitchen sink may contain more bacteria than your toilet, especially if you frequently handle raw meat or food scraps. The kitchen is the hub of many germs because it’s where food is prepared, consumed, and cleaned up. During flu season, it’s essential to focus on cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces in your kitchen, such as countertops, cabinet handles, refrigerator doors, and the sink.
Wash your hands well before and after handling food, especially when preparing raw vegetables or meats. Next, disinfect the kitchen sink after each use. Consider using a disinfecting cleaner or a natural solution like vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to sanitize all kitchen surfaces regularly. This will help prevent bacteria and germs from spreading throughout your home and causing illness.
6. The Importance of Regular Deep Cleaning
While surface cleaning is essential, a more thorough, deep cleaning of your home can significantly reduce the presence of germs and bacteria during flu season. If you are unable to devote the time to a detailed cleaning routine, consider hiring a professional cleaning service. These services can sanitize your home thoroughly, ensuring that areas like bathroom tiles, kitchen floors, and even hard-to-reach spots are properly disinfected. Many professional cleaning services offer targeted cleaning for flu season, providing peace of mind that your home is free from germs and viruses.
A deep cleaning includes removing dust, grime, and bacteria that accumulate in areas not always visible to the eye. Professional cleaners can also help sanitize common areas such as high-traffic zones and high-touch surfaces, breeding grounds for flu germs. A thorough cleaning can also prevent the buildup of allergens, dust mites, and other particles that may compromise the immune system, which is especially important during flu season.
7. Launder Bedding, Towels & Clothes Frequently
Flu germs can also be spread through shared towels, bedding, and clothing. If someone in your household has the flu, wash sheets, blankets, towels, and any clothing the sick individual wears in hot water and detergent. It’s also a good idea to disinfect any shared laundry hampers or baskets that may have come into contact with contaminated fabrics.
If anyone in your household is showing flu symptoms, washing their items separately is a good idea to avoid cross-contamination. This includes hand towels, dish towels, and eIt’sbath mats. Regularly disinfecting laundry bins and ensuring that clothes are properly laundered can go a long way in preventing the flu from spreading further within your household.
8. Maintain Healthy Habits Alongside Cleaning
Cleaning is a powerful tool for flu prevention, but maintaining healthy habits is just as important. Family members should be encouraged to wash their hands often before eating or using the lavatory. Teach children not to touch their faces, particularly their eyes, nose, and mouth, as these areas are the primary entry points for flu germs. To lessen the distribution of droplets that can spread the flu virus, encourage everyone to cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow.
Keep the windows open or use air purifiers to guarantee that the air in your house is clean and free of germs.
Conclusion
Preventing the flu requires more than just basic hygiene practices. By making cleaning and disinfecting a top priority during flu season, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of germs spreading throughout your home. Whether leaving your shoes at the door, disinfecting light switches and doorknobs, or regularly cleaning electronics, each can help create a safer environment for your family. And while cleaning is important, remember to maintain healthy habits to boost your immune system and keep your family healthy all season.
By incorporating these flu prevention tips into your daily routine, you can stop germs in their tracks and ensure that your home remains a clean and healthy space for everyone.
