When a household member has been ill, the home can feel like a sanctuary that has been compromised. While you don’t need to turn your home into a sterile lab, taking a systematic approach to sanitation is essential to stop the cycle of infection and protect the rest of your family. At Queen Anne Cleaning Services, we focus on a “high-touch, high-impact” method to ensure your space is truly sanitized.
Quick Answer: What to Clean After Illness
To effectively reset your home, prioritize high-touch surfaces (doorknobs, light switches, faucet handles, remotes) and soft surfaces (bedding, towels, pillowcases). The goal is to break the chain of transmission by focusing on the spots that are physically touched by everyone, rather than just deep-scrubbing surfaces that aren’t regularly handled.
Cleaning vs. Disinfecting After Sickness
It is vital to distinguish between these two:
- Cleaning: Removes dirt and germs.
- Disinfecting: Kills the remaining germs on those surfaces.
The Golden Rule: You must clean first. Disinfectants are inactivated by dirt and organic matter. If you spray a disinfectant over a layer of grime, you aren’t truly sanitizing the surface. Clean it first with soap and water, then apply your disinfectant.
High-Touch Areas: The First Priority
Start with the surfaces that everyone in the house has touched while the person was ill:
- Hard Surfaces: Doorknobs, light switches, faucet handles, and toilet flush levers.
- Technology: Remote controls, tablets, phones, keyboards, and computer mice.
- Furniture: Drawer pulls and the tops of bedside tables.
Step-by-Step Reset
1. Bedrooms and Bathrooms
- Bedroom: Wipe down the bedside table, lamp switches, and any medical devices (like thermometers or blood pressure cuffs).
- Bathroom: Thoroughly disinfect the toilet, sink handles, and soap dispensers. Dispose of old toothbrushes and replace them.
2. Handling Laundry
- Wash Hot: Use the highest temperature setting allowed by the fabric’s care label.
- Don’t Shake: When removing bed linens or dirty clothes, do not shake them. Shaking can release viruses and bacteria into the air and onto other surfaces.
- Dry Thoroughly: Ensure everything is dried on a high-heat setting.
Safe Disinfectant Protocols
Using chemicals incorrectly can be as dangerous as the germs themselves.
- Read the Label: The EPA-approved contact time is the most important part of the label. Most disinfectants must stay wet on the surface for 3–10 minutes to effectively kill viruses.
- Never Mix Chemicals: Mixing bleach with ammonia or vinegar creates toxic, potentially deadly fumes.
- Ventilate: Open your windows while you clean. Good airflow is essential to clear out chemical vapors and stale air.
When Professional Help Helps
If the illness was severe, or if you feel overwhelmed by the process of deep-cleaning an entire home while recovering yourself, it is time to call in the professionals. Queen Anne Cleaning Services offers specialized disinfection cleanings. We use professional-grade supplies and follow strict protocols to ensure your home is returned to a safe, sanitized baseline.
FAQ
What should I clean after someone is sick?
Focus on all high-touch points (doorknobs, switches, faucets) and launder all bedding, towels, and pillowcases used by the sick person.
Should I disinfect or just clean after illness?
Both. You must clean with soap and water to remove grime, then follow up with an EPA-registered disinfectant to kill remaining pathogens.
How do I clean bedding after sickness?
Wash all sheets, pillowcases, and blankets in the hottest water temperature permitted by the care instructions and dry them thoroughly on high heat. Avoid shaking the laundry to prevent spreading particles.
What surfaces carry the most germs?
Faucets, light switches, and electronic devices (phones and remotes) are generally the most contaminated because they are touched so frequently.
How long should disinfectant sit on surfaces?
Always check the product label for “dwell time.” Most disinfectants must remain visibly wet on the surface for several minutes to effectively kill germs.
Need a professional deep clean to get your home back to normal? At Queen Anne Cleaning Services, we provide thorough, reliable cleaning services to help you breathe easier and keep your family safe.
Click here to get your free cleaning estimate from Queen Anne Cleaning Services today!