When someone in your home is unwell, especially with contagious illnesses like the flu or a cold, keeping the rest of your household healthy can feel challenging. Cleaning your home after illness is essential to prevent germs from lingering and potentially spreading to others. But post-illness cleaning goes beyond regular tidying—it requires thoughtful steps to effectively sanitize and disinfect your space.

In this guide, we’ll cover essential tips for cleaning and sanitizing your home after illness, ensuring that you know which areas to prioritize, the best products to use, and effective techniques for a thorough, germ-free clean. These steps will help you create a healthier environment, providing peace of mind as your loved one recovers and helping everyone else stay well.

Step 1: Gather the Right Cleaning Supplies

Before you begin, ensure you have the right cleaning and disinfecting supplies on hand. To tackle post-illness cleaning effectively, you’ll need:

  1. Disposable Gloves – Protect your hands from germs and harsh cleaning agents. You may want to dispose of gloves after each area or surface to prevent cross-contamination.
  2. Disinfecting Wipes or Spray – Look for EPA-approved disinfectants that are effective against viruses. These can be wipes or sprays, but make sure they specify virus-fighting capabilities.
  3. Microfiber Cloths or Disposable Cloths – Microfiber is great for dusting and wiping as it captures dirt effectively. If you’re concerned about contamination, disposable cloths are a safe option.
  4. Soap and Water – Basic soap and water remain an effective cleaning solution, especially for surfaces before disinfecting.
  5. Hand Sanitizer – Keep hand sanitizer nearby to use after cleaning each room or area to avoid spreading germs.

Using appropriate supplies helps you avoid spreading germs as you clean and ensures you’re sanitizing your home effectively.

Step 2: Ventilate the Room

Before you start disinfecting surfaces and wiping down rooms, open windows and doors in the areas you’ll be cleaning. Ventilation improves airflow, helping remove lingering airborne germs and reducing the concentration of cleaning fumes that could build up as you sanitize. Fresh air circulation also helps reduce indoor pollutants and odors, making your space feel clean and refreshed once you’re done.

Step 3: Start with High-Touch Surfaces

High-touch surfaces are the most likely places for germs to linger and transfer to others. These areas need special attention during post-illness cleaning. Think of all the surfaces that people touch frequently throughout the day:

  • Doorknobs and handles
  • Light switches
  • Remote controls
  • Cell phones, tablets, and computer keyboards
  • Countertops and tabletops
  • Bathroom fixtures (faucet handles, toilet flush levers)
  • Bedside tables

To clean high-touch surfaces, first wipe them down with soap and water to remove dirt and grime. Next, apply a disinfectant spray or wipe, ensuring the surface remains wet for the recommended dwell time (typically 3–5 minutes) to effectively kill viruses. For electronics, consider using alcohol-based wipes or sprays with at least 70% alcohol, as these evaporate quickly and won’t damage the device.

Step 4: Disinfect the Bathroom

Bathrooms are hotspots for germs, especially after an illness, so they deserve particular attention. Here’s a bathroom cleaning routine to follow:

  1. Toilet: Start by cleaning the outside of the toilet with disinfectant, then lift the lid and scrub the bowl with a toilet cleaner. Don’t forget to clean the handle, a high-touch area where germs can linger.
  2. Sink and Faucet: Use a disinfectant spray on the faucet handles, sink basin, and countertop. This area can harbor germs from hand washing, brushing teeth, and general use. Rinse with water and wipe dry.
  3. Shower or Tub: Disinfect shower walls and floors, especially if the ill person used the bathroom during their sickness. Mold and mildew can develop in damp areas, so take time to clean corners and crevices.
  4. Light Switch and Door Handle: These are high-touch points that often get overlooked. Wipe them down with disinfecting wipes to ensure they’re germ-free.
  5. Toothbrushes: It’s a good idea to replace toothbrushes or toothbrush heads after illness. If replacing them isn’t an option, disinfect toothbrushes by soaking them in an antiseptic mouthwash.

Taking these steps ensures the bathroom is thoroughly sanitized, reducing the risk of spreading germs to other family members.

Step 5: Clean the Bedroom

If the person who was ill spent much of their time resting in bed, it’s essential to clean and disinfect the bedroom thoroughly. Here’s a checklist for cleaning a bedroom after illness:

  • Bedding: Strip the bed and wash all bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, and blankets, in hot water to kill germs. Be sure to dry them on high heat, as this helps eliminate any remaining bacteria or viruses.
  • Pillows and Mattress: If the pillow has a removable cover, wash it as well. For non-washable pillows, consider using a disinfectant spray. You may also want to lightly spray the mattress with a fabric-safe disinfectant, especially if it was in direct contact with the ill person.
  • Surfaces: Wipe down nightstands, lamps, alarm clocks, and any other items that may have been touched. These surfaces are often overlooked but can carry germs.
  • Floor: If the room has a hard floor, mop it with a disinfectant solution. For carpeted rooms, vacuum thoroughly, and consider using a steam cleaner to kill any germs in the carpet fibers.

Ensuring the bedroom is clean and sanitized will allow your loved one to return to a healthy environment as they continue recovering.

Step 6: Clean the Kitchen and Dining Area

Keeping the kitchen and dining area clean is crucial, especially if the ill person has been using these spaces. Here’s how to tackle these areas:

  1. Dishware: Wash any dishware, glasses, and utensils used by the sick person in hot, soapy water or run them through the dishwasher on a hot setting to kill germs.
  2. Countertops and Tables: Wipe down countertops and dining tables with a disinfectant solution, focusing on areas where food is prepared or eaten.
  3. Appliance Handles: Don’t forget high-touch areas like refrigerator handles, microwave buttons, and oven knobs. Clean these with disinfectant wipes or spray.
  4. Sponges and Dishcloths: These can harbor bacteria and germs. If possible, replace them or wash them in the dishwasher or microwave them in water for one minute to sanitize.

By cleaning the kitchen and dining area, you ensure that shared spaces where germs can easily spread remain safe for everyone.

Step 7: Clean Floors and Upholstery

Floors and upholstered surfaces like couches can trap germs, especially if the ill person spent time in shared living areas. To ensure your floors and furniture are clean:

  • Hard Floors: For tile, vinyl, or hardwood floors, mop with a disinfectant solution. Pay attention to high-traffic areas like hallways and entrances.
  • Carpeted Floors: Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to capture dust and allergens. For a deeper clean, consider using a carpet cleaner or having carpets professionally steam cleaned.
  • Upholstered Furniture: Use a disinfectant spray safe for fabric to sanitize couches, chairs, and cushions. If possible, remove and wash covers or use a steam cleaner on upholstery for extra sanitation.

Cleaning floors and upholstery helps ensure that germs don’t linger in the spaces where people spend the most time.

Step 8: Practice Good Personal Hygiene

After you finish post-illness cleaning, it’s essential to practice good personal hygiene to avoid spreading any remaining germs. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer if soap isn’t available. If you used gloves, dispose of them carefully, and avoid touching your face while cleaning.

Encourage everyone in the household to continue washing their hands regularly and to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing to maintain a healthy environment.

Why Professional Post-Illness Cleaning Services Are Beneficial

For a deeper, more comprehensive clean, consider hiring a professional cleaning service like Angel’s Help. Professional cleaners have access to advanced cleaning equipment and specialized products that ensure thorough sanitization. Plus, they are trained in effective disinfection techniques, providing peace of mind that your home is truly germ-free.

Conclusion

Cleaning your home after illness is an important step in protecting your family’s health. By focusing on high-touch surfaces, using proper disinfecting techniques, and following a regular cleaning routine, you can significantly reduce the spread of germs and create a healthier home environment.

If you’re looking for a professional post-illness cleaning service, call Angel’s Help at 647-502-7472. Let our experienced team help restore your home to a safe, healthy state, so you can focus on what matters most—your family’s well-being.