As the winter deepens and Jack Frost envelops us with its cold embrace, so does the spread of the Influenza virus. Midwinter is the peak of the flu season and we have to up our house cleaning game to reduce the risk of infection and break the chain of contagion. The cold season brings the chill which keeps us indoors for longer and we become more vulnerable to catching the virus while mingling indoors with our loved ones. This is where professional house cleaning services act as a first line of defense against harmful germs and viruses.
In today’s article, we look at how a trusted, customized house cleaning service can help you with strategic cleaning methods that minimize the chance of illness and promote a safer, tidier, and healthier living space.
How to get the flu virus out of your house?
Keeping illness away from your home can feel like an uphill battle during the flu season but with professional help you can stop disease from taking hold and spreading within your household. Here’s how you can maintain a clean and healthy home environment during these critical months.
Keep your hands clean
There is no way to stress it enough, hand hygiene is crucial during the flu season. It may sound trivial but hand washing is one of the easiest, quickest, and cheapest ways to fight the flu and avoid getting sick. Use soap and warm water to rub your hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after coming home or handling potentially contaminated surfaces.
Prioritize indoor air quality
While regular hand washing will keep you safe from contaminated surfaces, once the flu virus enters the home it can spread through the air. With cold weather outside, people tend to air their living spaces less frequently which creates perfect conditions for the flu virus to thrive. Even if it’s cold outside, open the windows to let the fresh air in because just a few minutes of air circulation can significantly reduce the number of airborne particles.
Keep your linens fresh
The air isn’t the only thing you’ll need to keep fresh during the influenza season. Your laundry and linen can act as a hidden source of germs and a safe space for viruses. If any member of your household was infected by the flu, it’s important to wash the clothing, towels, and bedding before someone else gets sick. Use the highest temperature recommended on the care label because high heat kills viruses that may survive the cold water wash cycle.
Target high-touch surfaces
Regular disinfection is key because research shows that flu viruses can survive on surfaces for up to 48 hours. Use an EPA-registered disinfectant to effectively kill viruses on high-touch surfaces throughout the home such as doorknobs, light switches, appliance buttons, remote controls, and mobile phones. During the peak flu season, it’s smart to make it a routine to wipe these areas at least once a day.
The critical zones: kitchen & bathroom
These two rooms are considered high-risk areas of the home due to their nature and frequent daily use. Both of these are water sources in the home and as such require a higher standard of sanitation than say a hallway or a living room. Make sure to thoroughly sanitize the countertops, vanities, and food preparation areas. Regularly disinfect the handles, pulls, and buttons on various appliances and shelves. You can sanitize the sinks, toilets, and bathtubs using bleach-based cleaners.
Encourage healthy habits among family members
Even if you do everything right and raise your residential sanitation up a notch, you’ll struggle to avoid infection if the members of your household neglect their personal hygiene. You should try to encourage your family members to stick to the proper etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes with tissues or elbows, avoiding touching their faces to reduce germ transfer, and cleaning up after themselves in the kitchen and bathroom areas.
Regular & consistent cleaning plans
Investing in professional cleaning services is one of the best ways to fight the flu and maintain a high standard of residential cleanliness during this critical period. Professional cleaners can adapt their usual approach to your family’s needs and focus more intensely on frequently-used areas to protect members of your household, such as children or the elderly.
Remember, a clean and neat home during flu season isn’t just a sanctuary from the cold where you can rest after a hard day’s work, it’s a barrier against the virus that shields you and your loved ones from potential illness and health risks associated with influenza virus.
