I am happy to partner with HomeRight on this post. As always all opinions are 100% my own.
The flu bug definitely invaded our house these past couple of weeks – and it was a nasty one! I don’t think that the kids have ever been down for so long or slept so many hours. They were literally in bed for days and didn’t even want to watch t.v. or go on their ipads {which is a BIG indicator of how sick they were!}
I don’t know about you, but I am always eager to give the house a good clean after we have had an illness. Kids are not pretty when they are sick {and for that matter, neither am I}, and I hate to think of all the germs and grime lingering around the house. Between the runny noses, missed trips to the toilet and constant coughing, the house was ready for a good clean!
Step 1: Gather Your Cleaning Supplies
- Disinfectant
Store bought disinfectants or wipes – Be sure to follow instructions on the bottle for directions as it will need to sit on the surface for at least 1-2 minutes to take effect. Wipes may be an easier choice as you just wipe it on and let it air dry.
DIY “Green” Disinfectants – There are greener disinfecting cleaners that you can try as well although the efficacy may be slightly less and you will have to put in a little more scrubbing power. Try spritzing 3% hydrogen peroxide onto hard surfaces {I just add a spray top to the bottle} and spray onto hard surfaces. After allowing it to sit for a couple of minutes, wipe with water and a microfiber cloth. You can also try mixing a 50/50 mixture with water. Just be sure you are using the 3% version of hydrogen peroxide and test for colorfastness on any surface that may be a problem {I have personally never had any problems but it does have the potential to have a bleaching effect}. Alternatively you can use a 50/50 water/vinegar spray. While hydrogen peroxide followed by vinegar can increase their effectiveness, they should NOT be mixed together. If you need something stronger you can mix up a bucket with a gallon of water and 1/2 cup of bleach. - Microfiber Cloths
I generally use my Norwex cloths when I am concerned about truly getting surfaces disinfected, but I know there are many other brands of cloths out there. I fold up the cloths into smaller squares so I can switch to a clean square when I change areas and I like to have two cloths – one for scrubbing and one for wiping dry. - Essential Oils – I have a spray bottle of water that I use for cleaning and add about 20 drops of essential oils to it to help give the area a fresh scent. Following the disinfecting spray, I spray the area again with water and give it a final wipe with a dry microfiber cloth or polishing cloth. I love the citrus scents {such as grapefruit and lemon}, but tea tree oil or thyme oil are other good antimicrobial oils. You can read more about the different essential oils and their cleaning properties HERE. If you have a diffuser, you can also put some oils in there while you are cleaning to freshen the air.
- Steam Cleaner
While this isn’t essential, it sure makes cleaning a whole lot easier and will disinfect without having to resort to harsh chemicals and a lot of scrubbing. I have used both the HomeRight Steamer as well as the HomeRight Steam Machine Plus, but tend to stick more with the Steam Machine Plus simply due to its portability. The Steam Machine heats up within 30 seconds, so even if I am unplugging it and moving around to different parts of the house, I don’t really have to wait for it to heat up again. Both machines come with a wide variety of attachments to tackle any space or surface.
If you haven’t used steam to clean before, you are missing out! The HomeRight Steamers use high temperature, high pressurized steam to loosen and dissolve dirt, grease, and grime {and whatever else!} and kill 99.9% of all germs and bacteria without the use of any chemicals. They also blast out that grime from those little cracks and crevices that are hard to reach. To clean a surface, I just use the steamer over it with the appropriate attachment and follow with a wipe from a microfiber cloth. No power scrubbing required! 🙂
Step 2: Let the Sunshine In
Before you get started, try opening the windows up for some fresh air {even if it is just a crack!} and lift the blinds all the way up to let in some natural light. If you have a diffuser, add some citrus essential oils for a crisp, fresh scent.
Step 3: Get Cleaning
Here my Top 10 Things to Clean After the Flu {or other illnesses}….
1. Bedding, blankets, and other “sick” clothes.
You tend to sweat a lot more when you are sick, so strip down your bedding, gather up any throw blankets from the sofa, and add in pajamas and any other “sick” clothes. Be sure to check for and treat any stains prior to washing {the 3% hydrogen peroxide works great for this but again, just check for colorfastness}. Run everything on the hottest temperature that the material allows, but be sure not to overload your washing machine. This, unfortunately, may take several loads! Pillows can also be washed in the washing machine – just be sure to follow care instructions on the pillow and place two pillows in the load {on their own} to balance out the load.
2. Your Mattress
If there are any fluids that have made their way through the bedding and onto the mattress, be sure to give it a good clean. You can find more information on removing mattress stains and how to deep clean it HERE. Even if it hasn’t been hit, it can do with a good airing out, so leave those sheets off all day if you can, and open the windows {if possible} and all of the blinds in the room to allow some fresh air and sunlight to hit it. You can give it a light misting with the water/essential oil mix but ensure that you are not saturating the mattress and allow it to dry completely before putting the bedding back on.
3. The Bathroom
If your have multiple bathrooms, try to confine the sick parties in your house to one bathroom only. This will help to prevent the spread of the illness as well as make your clean up much quicker and easier. The bathroom will need a good cleaning and disinfecting after illness – especially the sink, faucets, toilet, and toilet handle. I love using the steamer in the bathroom as it really cuts down on time and gets into all of those little cracks and crannies that are hard to reach {especially around the toilet and faucets}. I also know that I am getting a good disinfecting without having to go back to the chemical cleaners. Around the toilet and sink, I will often spray some hydrogen peroxide/water mixture prior to steaming and let it sit for a few minutes. You can read more about how to deep clean the bathroom HERE.
4. Your Toothbrush
If you have a cheap, disposable toothbrush that you have used for a while, you may just want to throw it away and get a new one. For newer or more expensive toothbrushes, add some hydrogen peroxide to a cup {enough to completely submerge the bristles} and allow to soak for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water when you are done.
5. Towels
Try to change towels daily during an illness and make sure that everyone has their own set. You may want to try temporarily using paper towels instead of hand towels to make things a little easier and remember to encourage everyone to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly. Once the illness is over, gather up all towels and wash at the highest possible temperature. You can add some vinegar to the laundry load if you have some smelly towels or add some to your fabric softener dispenser for fluffier towels.
6. Stuffed Animals and Toys
Stuffed animals can be tossed into the washing machine with the other bedding to give it a thorough cleaning or you can give them a good steaming if they are too delicate to run through the washing machine. For hard surfaced toys, use the small scrub brush attachment on the steamer to give them a little scrub and steam, and then wipe dry with a microfiber cloth. Alternatively, you can place them in the top rack of the dishwasher {place small items in a mesh laundry bag} and run them through a cycle.
7. Hard Frequently Touched Surfaces
Germs survive the longest on hard, non-porous surfaces so try to wipe these down frequently during an illness with a disinfectant or give them a steam and a wipe with a microfiber cloth. These can include light switches, door knobs, railings, or any other surface that you frequently touch. If you have a steam cleaner, just blast the areas with the steam and wipe with a microfiber cloth. I also like to add some essential oils to the water in the steam cleaner to get a nice scent and for some extra cleaning power. If you don’t have a steamer, disinfecting wipes are probably the best bet because it can be hard to get a spray to sit on the surface long enough for disinfecting.
8. Electronic Devices
Wipe down all electronic devices that have been used such as phones, cell phones, computers, tablets, keyboards, and t.v. remotes using a disinfectant wipe, cotton pad soaked in rubbing alcohol, or a slightly damp microfiber cloth using hydrogen peroxide. Allow to air dry.
9. Waste Baskets
Your garbage cans have probably held a wide variety of nasty things during an illness so don’t forget to give them a good clean once you have emptied them. You can either give it a good steam or spray with a disinfectant {leaving it for at least a few minutes} before scrubbing. It is obviously helpful if you can remember to line them with a plastic bags to help contain any germs prior to anything being put in there.
10. The Kitchen
Try as much as possible to keep sick kiddos out of the kitchen. This is the one time that I am happy to get the kids all of their food, snacks, drinks, and whatever else they desire! While everyone is sick, wipe down the refrigerator door handle and any other frequently used cabinet/drawer handles daily with a disinfecting wipe or rubbing alcohol pad. Once everyone is feeling better, I will steam our countertops, fridge, and sink. I also spray the cupboard handles and drawer pulls with hydrogen peroxide and, after letting it sit for a few minutes, wipe it down with water and a microfiber cloth and give the cupboards a quick wipe if needed. You can read more about how to use steam to clean the kitchen HERE.
While the list may sound long, it really doesn’t take too long to run through – other than waiting on all of the laundry!! Remember that if you are able to confine those that are sick to just a few spaces in the home {usually the bedroom, a bathroom, and the sofa!}, it will be a lot less to clean!
And, finally, I have a GIVEAWAY for you!! HomeRight is offering a Steam Machine Plus to one reader to help make their cleaning routine a whole lot easier! Just follow the prompts in the Rafflecopter below to enter.
Great Post! We are just getting over the flu around here and this post couldn’t have come at a better time! Thanks 🙂
We are still recovering here too. Feel better soon and happy cleaning! 🙂
Although we haven’t had the flu in our house this year (thank you essential oils!) we have had visitors over who have. I’d definitely use the steam cleaner to clean the couch! It’s a tough one to get the germs out of.
We love essential oils and swear they help keep bad flu bugs at bay. I have a heavy duty floor steam mop, but have never looked at a smaller or hand-held size. Good info!
I plan to do my kitchen and my bathrooms!
I was hit with the flu 6 days ago and am now FINALLY beginning to move past it! This is a great list of all the major areas to hit with disinfectant – one more day and I’ll be giving my home a very good scrub!
Yes, it seems the flu was a particularly bad one this year! We are just going on Day 12 and I finally feel that there is an end in sight! Hope you feel better!
Great ideas! Thanks for posting this!
I have never used hydrogen peroxide to disinfect and find this amazing! I would love to have a handheld steamer device as this seems very effective and fast! I have two boys/men who wreck a bathroom and would love to be able to use this in there! Thanks for all of your ideas.
Yes, it works great for the boys’ bathroom!!
Really informative post. We have been pretty lucky so far with just head colds and stuff. But I try to deep clean every week to keep our house as clean and germ-free as possible. Thanks for such a great giveaway opportunity!
I would love to have this to clean. I have used a floor steamer in the past but replacement cloths became unavailable. Would be interested in using the smaller steamer attachment for cleaning around stove parts, water faucet handles and where toilet meets the floor to make easier cleaning of some of the grungiest spots!
Love that it looks so easy and doesn’t require any chemicals. Drops of essential oils would smell lovely.
Thanks for your great tips!
Would love to scrub my countertops with the steam cleaner and get in all of those tiny crevices and corners!
Oh my gosh, we have been sick constantly over the past 6 months. I am this close to hiring someone to come in and professionally clean our house because we just can’t seem to kick this thing. Thanks for the great post!
Hang in there! I hope you feel better soon!
My son has the flu right now and has been in his new apartment two weeks. Will definitely forward this to him!!!! Thanks!
Awe… that’s not a good way to start off in a new home! Hope he feels better soon!
Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for the great suggestions, I have not used a steamer for cleaning, sounds like a great addition to cleaning supplies!
Great tips! I love using essential oils in cleaning too!
The play room is the first room I would tackle
I NEED this steam cleaner!! Like 100% need!!! Thanks for the cleaning tips.
Thankfully, we haven’t had the flu hit our home this season. I’m sure steam cleaning would be an easy, almost delightful way to banish the germs. Thanks for all the helpful tips!
Lucky you! 🙂
OMGosh…I want to clean everything with that handy, dandy steamer!! It looks so cool!!
I wasn’t a fran of these steam cleaners, but after reading your post I feel like I should have it! I can’t believe that this handy small cleaners is so effective. I loved the tips with essential oils. Thanks for sharing your experience 🙂
What a great giveaway! With a new baby in our home I’m becoming more dedicated to non-chemical cleaning! A steam cleaner would be a phenomenal tool for our three bathrooms and play areas!
Congrats on the new baby! Yes, it would be great for cleaning all of those toys {and other things that make it into the mouth!}.:)
Oh gosh! Your boys were so sick! Glad everyone is feeling better and your home is back to normal. After the flu bug hits our house I too get busy cleaning – bathrooms and bedrooms (laundry) is a must! Your post gave some good ideas I hadn’t done (e.g. Technology, opening the window (I live in Ontario where it’s freezing, but the cold air would be good!).
The sickness seems never ending this winter! I’m gonna go clean in hopes of stopping the germs from winning at our house.
Yes! I can’t wait until the spring!!
It’s not fun when the whole family is sick! My first priorities are the bathrooms, towels and laundry. Thanks for posting your routine after having sickness in the house, great ideas! I’d love to have a steam cleaner to help with the job!
I feel like my whole house needs a cleaning. I know I need to clean some mattresses.
Definitely need to clean the kitchen as well! Still getting over colds in this house!
Hope you feel better soon!
This is great! After (okay and during) anyone in my house gets sick I scrub EVERYTHING. Everything just feels infected to me hahah!
The steam cleaner looks so easy to use! I would clean our bathrooms and kitchen.
My husband and I both got flu shots this fall, but I would definitely use that steam cleaner in the bathroom after an illness..
Hi Jenn, a great give away, hope it is also possible for German readers…. I first would clean my bathroom
I’m so sorry Silke but it is only for Canadian and US readers due to the shipping costs. The terms are in the Rafflecopter but I will update them to put them in the post as well. So sorry about that!!
This post came at the perfect time!! Time to start cleaning!
lol! Hope your illnesses are behind you!
This is really great advice, and I definitely haven’t cleaned all of these things after my babies have been sick! Pinning this to my health and wellness board, thanks!
I love the power of steam cleaning and would love to try home rights steam cleaner!
beds and couch
Excellent post, One tends to forget where we touch things…. Personally we are no big fans of commercial disinfectants. Prefer the good old soap approach, works just as well and does not lead to these bugs getting more resistant against all sorts of antibiotics and similar important weapons when we are really ill. Soap water and a bit of handy work will do the job just fine. Not trying to say that this must be the approach of everybody, just my 2 cents.
The couch, dog bed, car, & spring cleaning!
So basically what this is saying is you should clean the whole house… haha. That’s what I do already! I don’t trust anything to be germ-free after a bout of the flu, so everything’s gotta get cleaned.
Taking this to heart – just getting over a terrible cold – pinning!
Hope you feel better soon!
Glad to hear everyone is recovered and love all these tips! I’m constantly cleaning door knobs and railings from the garage to the house…I hope to get those germs before they get distributed throughout…Thanks for sharing with us on Throwback Thursday!!
Mollie
You should also toss any and all lipsticks or lip balms you’ve used while ill. You’ll reinfect yourself tout suite if you reuse (even after cleansing with alcohol).
Thanks for the tip!
Great tips! I want to note that it is important to read the instructions on cleaning solutions carefully. All disinfectants will tell you how long they must be left on a Surface in order to fight specific viruses. Once flu season hits I begin wiping down door handles, switches, remotes, phones etc. with Clorox or Lysol wipes. I also spray all along the doors and around the toilets and sinks with Lysol. As a pre-emptive strike. I do daycare in my home and in ten years I have only had the flu one time and that was when I first started. And sadly that was because a mom neglected to let me know her child had just gotten over the flu.
Good point on the disinfectants! Most require to be left on the surface for at least 60 seconds before wiping which a lot of people forget to do {of just don’t know}. Great job keeping your little ones healthy!
Good point on the disinfectants! Most require to be left on the surface for at least 60 seconds before wiping which a lot of people forget to do {or just don’t know}. Great job keeping your little ones healthy!
Very useful ideas!!
Thanks! Hopefully you won’t have to use it but I know there’s a bad strain going around this year!
Great post! Very thorough and right up my alley! Ha I’m a germaphobe! Sorry to miss the giveaway, my steamer died. Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Pinned & Sharing on FB! Have a great week!
Kim
I have my work cut out for me with two sickies in the house!!
Great tips! A lot of people have never learned how to clean thoroughly, so this is a really great how-to post. I hope your family is all done with sickness!
Knock on wood! We’re all healthy right now! 😉
I don’t know if I should write this (knocking on wood) but, I haven’t been sick with a cold or flu in 10 years! However, I do love and appreciate my steamer 😉 Thanks for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday!
That’s one great immune system! I’ll knock on wood for you too! 😉
I changed the towels today!! It’s a start 🙂
Thanks for linking up at #bloggerspotlight!