Check out our simple Infographic for tips on how to Stop Germs From Spreading in Your Home with These Easy Tips.
Germs seem to invade our homes more during cold and flu season but let’s not forget the rest of the year.
Don’t be afraid of germs. A certain amount of germ exposure will help us to build up immunities. During cold and flu season however we want to take some extra precautions to rid our homes of spreading those unwanted viral germs which will cause us or our loved one’s to miss work or school, not to mention feeling miserable.
Two Things You Can Do To Stop The Spread of Germs In Your Home
- Wash hands often and properly
2. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces as recommend by the CDC (Center for Disease Control)
How do these surfaces collect germs in the first place? You bring them in on your hands! So, let’s begin at the beginning. Wash your hands frequently throughout the day with soap and water for 20 seconds. Take a couple of minutes to teach your children to do the same.
Thanks to the CDC for producing this 30 second video on how to properly wash your hands. I suggest you show it to everyone in your family to be 100% certain they are all doing it the recommended way.
Most frequently touched surfaces in most homes
- Refrigerator handles
- Kitchen counter
- Kitchen Faucet
- Bathroom Faucet
- Kitchen Drawer knobs
- Toilet handle
More surfaces to disinfect regularly
- TV Remote
- Cell Phone
- Door knobs (particularly in common areas)
- Light switch plates (particularly in the common areas)
- Make Up containers and make up brushes!
How to clean these germy surfaces
Use your choice of these 3 cleaning solution options. You can find a list of registered disinfectants on the EPA site here. Vinegar and water are NOT registered disinfectants.
- Soap and water
- Bleach and water
- Disinfecting wipes
Sponges harbor germs because they remain wet for an extended period of time. Sponges are not recommended for cleaning. I prefer to use cleaning cloths I keep specifically for house cleaning chores. I wash them in hot water with a capful of bleach and detergent.
Wear gloves if cleaning with a bleach and water mixture. Follow directions on the bottle for the water/bleach ratio.
Be sure not to keep re-using the same disinfectant wipe! I know it’s tempting but toss it and get another one to tackle those tough germs.
We have created this informative infographic for you to Pin as a reminder of these easy tips.
We wish you a healthy New Year!
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More Cleaning Tips and Tricks for the Home
Kitchen Detail Cleaning Checklist & 12 Things in the Kitchen You Can Put in the Dishwasher
13 Filthy Things In The Home (Free Printable for Your Workplace)
Garry Alvarado says
These tips are really helpful in killing the germs from home thank you for providing these tips and tricks.
Amberjane says
Great tips to keep germs from spreading – thank you for sharing with Pin Worthy Wednesday
Jess says
This is such a great and important post!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Leanne@crestingthehill says
we are so conscious of germs now days – I don’t think I am anywhere vigilant enough – although I do wash my hands a lot more than I used to (just in case). All these tips are really helpful if you have issues with low immunity. thanks for sharing with us at the #OverTheMoon linkup #4 ~ Leanne 🙂
Aletha Oglesby says
I like this. This is more effective than taking massive amounts of vitamins or supplements which are not necessary and can be harmful if misused. This is a thorough review of helpful information.
Sandi says
These are all great tips. I have an auto-immune disorder which has weakened my immune system so I have been practicing many of these for years. The thing is that I want to ask those who come in to visit to wash their hands but that would rude, wouldn’t it? So I go about cleaning surfaces after they leave. No one needs to know. 😉 Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!
Blessings,
Sandi
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
Well, I know what I’m doing tonight!!! LOL I DESPISE germs – probably because I have a compromised immune system and catch everything. These are great tips!
Julie says
Hello Shirley,
These are helpful tips for keeping everything clean during the cold and flu season.
Thanks for sharing this at Cooking and Crafting with J & J. Julie xo
Brett. Richardson says
These are terrific tips for how to stop the germs for spreading in the house. It is a really hard job to keep the germs from spreading when having small children as it is in my case. They like to touch and eat everything and it is hard to keep them from spreading the dirt and germs. For me is incredibly important to have a clean house and since I have kids I feel so helpless. I need to have better organization and stricter cleaning habits. Really useful tips! Thanks for the post!
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai says
I am always wiping down door knobs, handles, faucets, remote controls, etc. with disinfecting wipes–these lovely wipes bottles live under every sink in the house, plus a couple of closets and the garage as well. I may be just slightly OCD about them…LOL Thanks for this very informative post. Here’s to staying healthy in the New Year! 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Emily says
Great tips! Thanks for the reminders to disinfect door handles and knobs – I forget about these!
Zan says
I often clean all of these areas frequently. I need to pay more attention to my make up brushes, though. I also have a stash of cleaning rags for cleaning. Washing them now with bleach, soap, and hot water as we speak. Who knew there was a video on how to properly wash hands? Love it. Thanks Shirley for this info. Always such good cleaning tips on your site.
Alli Smith says
Germs seem to lurk everywhere! When I read that when someone sneezes, it can travel up to 200 feet I kind of wished I had not learned that bit of info. Yuck! I need to start disinfecting all the door handles. This is great info to know!
I wish you the best in 2016, Shirley!
Minh says
I never thought about light switches and fridge handles! Thanks for the reminder. We can’t seem to shake the cold in our house recently so better get on this more regularly. #MerryMonday
Nicky says
thanks for your checklist! I actually forget to clean these places 🙂
again thanks for reminding us to keep our home a better place!
Patti says
Thanks for all the great tips, with little ones around it will come in handy.
Have a happy and blessed new year!
Patti
Shirley Wood says
You are so very welcome. Yes, the little one’s bring in so many germs from school! It’s a constant battle.