Introduction
As I go about my daily life, I can’t help but think about all the germs lurking in my home. Door handles, light switches, remote controls – all are cesspools for bacteria and viruses. While some exposure is inevitable, there are steps I can take to reduce the spread of germs and keep my family healthy. Proper sanitizing and disinfecting can go a long way in creating a germ-free home.
High-Touch Surfaces
The most important areas to keep clean are high-touch surfaces – surfaces that are frequently touched and therefore allow germs to be easily transferred. Things like:
- Doorknobs and handles
- Light switches
- Remote controls
- Phones and tablets
- Bathroom surfaces
- Kitchen counters
I make sure to disinfect these areas daily, or even more frequently if someone is sick. Disinfectant wipes or sprays designed to kill 99.9% of germs are my go-to for high-touch surfaces. I find it easy to carry disinfecting wipes room to room and give surfaces a quick wipe down daily.
Deep Cleaning
In addition to daily disinfecting, a weekly deep clean can further reduce germs in my home. This is when I break out the disinfecting cleaners and thoroughly scrub down all surfaces – counters, floors, appliances, bathrooms. For the kitchen and bathrooms, I like to use a bleach-based cleaner as it is one of the most effective ways to sanitize against germs like Salmonella and E. coli. For other rooms, I stick to disinfecting wipes and sprays.
Steam mops and steam cleaners are also useful for deep cleaning floors and upholstery. The high heat kills germs and sanitizes without the use of harsh chemicals. I find these are great for cleaning kids’ rooms and play areas where germs easily spread.
Laundry
Laundry is another key component in reducing household germs. I make sure to wash sheets, towels, and clothes regularly in hot water to kill bacteria and viruses lingering in the fabric. Certain high-risk items like kitchen rags get washed daily or replaced with clean ones.
I also disinfect clothes hampers, washing machines, and laundry baskets periodically since they can harbor germs over time. Wiping down the lint trap and washing machine gaskets helps prevent mold and bacteria from building up.
Hand Hygiene
One of the most important ways to stop germs is through proper hand hygiene. I make sure my family washes hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially after using the bathroom, before eating, after coughing/sneezing, and after playing outside. I also have hand sanitizer placed conveniently around the house for times when hand washing isn’t possible.
Teaching kids proper techniques and setting up routines around hand washing is key to preventing the spread of germs. Things like singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice while scrubbing helps ensure they wash long enough to kill germs.
Conclusion
Creating a germ-free household takes vigilance, but is worth the effort to keep my family healthy. Focusing on high-touch surfaces, deep cleaning, laundry, and hand hygiene allows me to significantly reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses in my home. While it takes some work, establishing cleaning and disinfecting routines make it easy to stay on top of sanitizing my home.
