Cold and flu season was pretty bad for us this year. My 1 year old got sick, then my 2 year old, then my mom who was visiting from out of town, and then I got sick. I hardly ever get sick, but this year took me for a tizzy because on top of the flu, I also had a really bad sinus infection. Life was definitely sucking for a good two weeks. Now that we’re all finally better, I don’t ever want us to get sick like that again. I make sure I disinfect anything and everything around the house, just so we won’t keep passing germs around. I know most of you probably dealt with the same issues, so I want to share with you how to disinfect your home after the flu or any illness. Hopefully, this list will help you and your family stay germ-free. Enjoy!
1. Your Toothbrush
If I don’t go out to buy new toothbrushes after being sick, I make sure I disinfect all of our toothbrushes. Who wants to brush their teeth with a toothbrush that has cold and flu germs lurking around? Not me! To disinfect, I mix equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide in a cup. I let the toothbrush sit in the water, bristle side down, for 5-10 minutes. Once the time is up, I turn the toothbrush right-side up and allow to dry.
2. Soap Dispensers
When you pump soap, your hands are dirty and full of germs. Use a disinfectant wipe to clean all dispensers on a regular basis.
3. Light Switches
One thing that almost everybody in the house touches is your light switches. Germs can be easily passed from one person to another because of this.
4. Door Handles
Please disinfect all door handles, inside and outside of your home. Everybody, including people who aren’t members of your family (plumbers, electricians, etc.) touch your door handles. Your family may keep clean hands, but you can’t be sure about everybody else.
5. Trashcan
Even though there are trashcans that allow you to step on a pedal for the top to open so you won’t have to touch it, you should still disinfect it. Bacteria from old food can build up and viruses from cold tissues can linger around. I clean mine out by taking it in the yard, spraying the inside with a hose with high water pressure, and then I spray it with my disinfectant. I allow it to completely dry before I bring it back inside.
6. Steering Wheel
Technically, this isn’t inside your home but you do park it in your garage. Most people don’t think about it, but picture this: You’re driving and you just picked up food from a drive-thru or you have snacks in your car and you’re starving. You dig right in and start chowing down. Maybe you just finished pumping gas or you just shook someone’s hand who sneezed right into it. Now, you have those germs on your hand, on your steering wheel, and in your mouth. Ugh! Even if you washed your hands when you got home or didn’t eat until you made it home, you still have yuckiness on your steering wheel. Please, disinfect it!
7. Toys
When my babies are sick, they very rarely act sick. They run around and play as much as before. I try not to take them out of the house unless it’s necessary, so they get a lot of time with books and toys. Runny noses and coughs are inevitable while they play. I use a disinfectant cloth to wipe down any hard plastic toys and I throw their stuffed toys into the washing machine.
8. Dog/Cat Bowls
I know that our pets don’t get sick the way we do, but make sure you’re disinfecting their bowls regularly. Bacteria from their mouths can grow in their bowls and too much bacteria may get them sick. You take care of your spouse and children, so take care of your entire family and keep your pets healthy.
9. Cellphone
My phone goes everywhere with me, including the bathroom. I listen to music while I’m getting dressed, so I place it on the counter. I’m also one of those people who drop their phones constantly. Now, add an infant to the equation who puts everything in their mouth. Disgusting, right? I constantly disinfect my phone because my little one always has his hands on it and the first place it goes is right into his mouth. I’d rather not him have my phone in his mouth, but I’d prefer it to be a clean phone opposed to one with bathroom and walked-on ground germs.
10. Purse
I know some people are superstitious about placing their purses on the floor and some not so much. I don’t place my purse on the floor, unless I’m at home. I still disinfect my purse because of the germs tracked inside on the bottom of shoes and on our dog’s feet. I’d rather not carry them around on my shoulders.
11. Kitchen Sinks
Kitchen counters, bathroom toilets, and floors are a given for disinfecting. What about your kitchen sink? You may assume that since you wash dishes in the sink, that it’s pretty clean. Well, there are some germs that can survive simple soap and water. I disinfect my sink at least once a week, and maybe more if I cleaned chicken or other types of meat in my sink.
12. Remotes
Disinfecting remotes in a hotel you’re staying in is a given. But, what about at home? When everyone in the house is sick our favorite family activity is to cuddle on the couch and watch movies. With everyone sneezing, coughing, and passing around the remote germs are being spread, as well. And once again, babies like anything they can gnaw on.
13. Disinfectant Bottles
Your disinfectant bottles go everywhere you clean. They’re in the bathroom, they touch the gloves you use to clean with, and they sit beside you on the floor while you’re cleaning. Germs, germs, germs! Take a disinfectant wipe and give them a quick cleaning once you’re finished disinfecting the rest of your home.
Great reminders! It’s so funny, I was just looking at my toothbrush the other day and wondering how I could keep its cleanliness optimal—thanks for answering my question! Great blog, full of useful tips. Keep ’em coming!
Charlotte’s Little Web recently posted…We Gain Control When We Let It Go
I must admit I never thought about the purse or remote
Christine Gallagher recently posted…Very Healthy Spiral Slicer Giveaway
It always surprises me when people don’t disinfect their phone. I wipe my down so frequently!
Heather @ The Nerdy Fox recently posted…Blog Analytics & Blogging Tips
I’ve just started using peroxide on my toothbrush. I’ll give some of your other fixes a try too. Thanks for this article.
Such excellent reminders! I’m pretty good about toothbrushes but I forget the remotes and steering wheels, thanks for the tips!
I have never disinfected my purse or the remote… and now that you mention it, they are both probably pretty disgusting.
Jessica (Savory Experiments) recently posted…Easy Dinner Rolls and Gourmet Butter
I actually do most of these already! I do need to do my toothbrush more.
I do a couple of these but I have a lot to do tomorrow I guess!
Britney recently posted…30-Minute Straight Skirt
This is an AWESOME reminder! I need to be better about these!
Claire recently posted…Spring Pictures
Looks like I have some more cleaning/disinfecting to do!
Jillian (Food, Folks and Fun) recently posted…Breakfast Sandwich Recipe & Cheese Box Review!
Great advice! I think I will do some disinfecting tomorrow!
What great hints and tips Thanks for sharing today!
Joanne T Ferguson recently posted…What Do You Know About Libyan Cuisine?
I never would have thought of doing some of these on a regular basis! Thanks for the tips!
Emily @ Love, Pasta and a Tool Belt recently posted…3 Steps to a Clean Kitchen
This is a great reminder, especially since I have two sickies at home right now. I definitely need to grab some Clorox wipes and wipe down the door knobs and light swiches. One thing I’ve started doing is using this new multisurface Palmolive dish soap. I can clean the dishes, and then use the same soap to disinfect the sink.
Stephanie of The TipToe Fairy recently posted…My Secret to Blogging Success
Great list! I do all of these, except the car steering wheel, and the actual cleaning of the bottles themselves. Strange how you would never think to wipe your cleaning bottles down, but it makes perfect sense. PINed
We’ve been sick for the last couple of weeks, so as soon as we’re all better I’m coming back to this list to make sure I got everything. Thanks!
aimee @ like mother like daughter recently posted…Easy Cinnamon Roll Cake
Such a good reminder to get all of these places clean!
Debra recently posted…18 Spring Cleaning Hacks
You’re right! There is so much I am not disinfecting. Thanks for the advice
Such great information. Thank you.
This is an excellent reminder..I have often thought of how shoes/boots and footwear worn in the home. Think of often and where a person goes in a day with wearing same shoes. The germs carried from place to place. Even if removing them in someones’ home only leaves barefoot germs to track through..just food for thought.
I couldn’t agree with you more, Debbie!
Wow these are easy stuff to overlooked to be in disinfected.
Yes, they are often overlooked.
I totally admired the idea of disinfecting the toothbrush and the door handles. Thanks for sharing.
You’re very welcome!
This is a very informative post. I have never yet disinfected my steering wheel neither any of my soap dishes. Very interesting reasons behind why you should disinfect each too. Thank you!
After the kitchen, the second most germ-ridden room in your home is easily the bathroom, and surprisingly, the toothbrush holder is proven to be one of the germiest items. All types of microorganisms can be found on this container (we’re talking strep, listeria, and E. coli) that are easily transferred from your toothbrush to the holder. If you have a holder that is dishwasher-safe, clean it once a week on the sanitizing cycle.
One of the best tips, when looking for companies offering office disinfection services is setting your standard on what kind of services you want for your disinfection services