According to the CDC, flu activity is high in the U.S. and expected to continue for weeks, and Utah is among the states reporting a high number of cases. If you or someone in your family has been affected by flu or may become infected, the first thing you want to do after the illness passes is clean, clean, clean. But how much cleaning should you do? What areas should you focus on? And which products should you use for the best results? Better Homes & Gardens consulted with experts in the field and came up with a several suggestions to help clean and disinfect your home after the flu or a cold.
Where to Clean?
A whole-home deep cleaning may not be necessary. Think about the areas where the sick person spent time and focus there. This likely will include their bedroom, bathrooms, kitchen, and living room.
What to Clean?
Outside of the obvious items touched or used by the infected person, disinfect commonly touched hard surfaces, such as TV remotes, light switches, and door handles, which can become breeding grounds for germs. In fact, the flu virus can live on these surfaces for up to 48 hours.
As soon as the person is better, immediately remove all bedding and wash it.
Finally, don’t forget about electronics. Cell phones, tablets, and other electronics can also harbor germs. Clean any touched by the sick person thoroughly.
When to Clean?
Wiping down surfaces should begin immediately to help other family members avoid getting ill. Once the flu or cold subsides, do a final thorough cleaning that includes all surfaces touched, electronics, and bedding.
What to Use to Clean?
There are many options when it comes to cleaning products, and Better Homes & Gardens has several suggestions, including bleach in bathrooms, laundry sanitizers for bedding, and disinfecting wipes for hard surfaces.
Click here to read Better Homes & Gardens’ full list of tips and tricks.
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