When someone in the house has been sick, cleaning is usually the last thing anyone feels like doing. But once everyone's on the mend, a thorough clean helps the house feel fresh again and can cut down on germs lingering on the surfaces people touch most. If you've read How to Deep Clean After the Holidays, you already know the top-to-bottom method. This article focuses on what's different after an illness.
Wait for the right moment
Unless your doctor says otherwise, focus on light cleaning while someone is actively sick, and save the full deep clean for once they're feeling better. During the illness, the most useful things are simple: wipe high-touch spots daily, keep the sick person's towels separate and wash bedding often.
Once the worst is over, do the full reset. That way you're not cleaning the same surfaces again the next day.
If you're the one doing the cleaning, take care of yourself, too. Wear gloves, keep the room ventilated and wash your hands when you finish. If you're still worn down from caring for someone, it's fine to split the work over a few days or ask for help. The house will wait.
Clean first, then disinfect
This is the most important thing to understand. Cleaning and disinfecting are two different steps.
- Cleaning removes dirt, grime and many germs with soap and water.
- Disinfecting uses a product made to kill germs on surfaces.
Disinfectants work best on surfaces that have already been cleaned, because dirt can get in the way. So wipe first with soap and water, then apply the disinfectant.
Read the label of any disinfectant you use. Most need to stay wet on the surface for a set amount of time, called the contact time, to work. Spraying and wiping right away often doesn't give it a chance.
High-touch surfaces first
Germs spread most through the things everyone touches. Make a list and go through it room by room:
- Doorknobs, cabinet handles and the fridge handle.
- Light switches and switch plates.
- Faucet handles, toilet handles and the toilet seat.
- TV remotes, game controllers, phones and tablets (follow the device maker's cleaning guidance).
- Stair railings and banisters.
- Kitchen counters, the kitchen table and chair backs.
- Thermostats, keyboards and the car keys bowl.
Bedding, towels and laundry
Strip the sick person's bed completely: sheets, pillowcases, blankets and the mattress protector. Wash them on the warmest setting the care labels allow, and dry them completely. Wash towels and washcloths the same way. Pillows can often go in the washer too, if the label allows.
While the bed is stripped, vacuum the mattress and let it air out with the window open, if the weather allows. Wipe down the headboard, nightstand and lamp.
Handle laundry carefully: carry it to the washer without hugging it to your clothes, and wash your hands after. Wipe the laundry basket or hamper too, since it held everything on the way to the machine. Then give the washer door and handle a quick wipe once the load is in.
The bathroom
The bathroom the sick person used needs a full deep clean.
- Clean the toilet thoroughly, then disinfect the seat, lid, handle and the rim.
- Clean and disinfect the sink, faucet and counter.
- Wipe the shower handles and the door handle.
- Replace toothbrushes after an illness, especially after a stomach bug.
- Wash bath mats, hand towels and the shower curtain liner if it's washable.
- Empty the trash and wipe the inside of the can.
After a stomach bug
Stomach illnesses call for extra care. Wear disposable gloves, clean up any mess right away with paper towels, and bag it before disposal. Clean the area with soap and water, then use a disinfectant labeled for that kind of germ, following the label carefully. Carpets and upholstery that were affected may need a professional cleaner. Wash your hands well afterward, even if you wore gloves.
Air it out
Open windows if the weather and pollen allow, even for half an hour, and run the bathroom fan. Change the HVAC filter if it's due. Fresh air makes the house feel less stuffy after days of being shut up. Swap out the kitchen hand towel and the dish sponge while you're at it; both are easy to forget and touched constantly. In the North Texas spring, check the pollen first; allergies on top of a cold are nobody's idea of fun.
Clean the thermometer, the humidifier and anything else that came out during the illness. Humidifiers in particular need to be emptied, cleaned and dried completely before they're stored, following the manufacturer's directions.
Let us handle the reset
Once everyone's feeling better, we can deep clean the whole house, change linens and do laundry on request. Get a free quote, usually back the same day.
Get a free quoteA clean slate
After a stretch of illness, a fresh house helps everyone feel more like themselves. Focus on high-touch surfaces, bedding and bathrooms, use disinfectants the way the label says, and give the house some fresh air. If you're still worn out and want help, our deep cleaning services are available across the south DFW area. Just let us know in the quote form if anyone is still recovering, so we can plan accordingly.