In the dead of winter, it’s hard to avoid not getting the odd sniffle, which is why so many of us line up annually for the flu shot. However, if you or someone you live with should get sick this winter, don’t forget to do a really deep clean once it passes.
Wash Linens
This is where you have to start. Strip your duvet cover, sheets, and pillowcases from your bed and head to the laundry room. Set your washer to the hot water setting. The high heat will kill any remaining germs and bacteria. If you’re lucky enough to have a sanitize setting, use it, it will remove any and all germs.
Sanitize Mattress
Your mattress may also need a refresh to remove sweat and other bodily fluids. Spot-clean your mattress with a damp microfibre cloth and hot soapy water. Once it dries, add 1 cup of baking soda with a few drops of your favourite essential oil into a metal strainer, and sprinkle over the mattress. Let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming off.
Wipe Every Surface
Using a multi-purpose disinfectant, clean your bedframe, door handles and any other hard non-porous surface around your house. Looking for a more natural choice? Vinegar is a natural disinfectant for killing some common germs like salmonella and E. coli, use in tandem with antibacterial soap and water to remove every last germ.
Disinfect Your Toothbrush
When you’re not sick, you can sanitize your toothbrush by soaking it in antibacterial mouthwash or running it through the dishwasher in the silverware compartment. But, it’s best to start off with a new toothbrush after you’ve been sick. And if you live with others and your toothbrush wasn’t isolated, get new toothbrushes for everyone.
Clean Your Phone
Endless studies reveal just how grimy our phones can get. And when we’re sick, the surfaces and buttons become super hosts to viruses and bacteria. Disinfectant wipes may be the most effective option for cleaning any gadget. If the wipe is excessively wet, wring it out, then gently wipe down the surface of your phone while avoiding ports.
Air Circulation
While opening the windows in the dead of our northern hemisphere winters seems illogical, letting in wisps of fresh air is beneficial for humans, animals and plants.
