After experiencing an illness, whether it’s the flu, a cold, or a more serious viral infection, one of the most important questions people ask is: Should you disinfect your home?
The answer is yes.
Disinfecting your home after being sick is important to prevent spreading germs to others and reduce the risk of reinfection.
Why Is It Important to Disinfect Your Home After an Illness?
When you’re sick, your body sheds infectious germs that quickly spread to the surfaces you touch. These germs survive on surfaces for varying amounts of time, depending on the type of illness.
By disinfecting high-touch surfaces — like doorknobs, countertops, and sinks — you reduce the chance of others being exposed to the illness. This is particularly important in households with children, elderly individuals, or those with weakened immune systems who are more vulnerable to infections.
How long do germs live on surfaces after an illness?
The lifespan of germs on surfaces depends on several factors. These factors include:
- Amount — How much of the germ remains on the surface?
- Environment — What’s the temperature and humidity in the area?
- Germ — What type of germ — which bacterium, virus, fungus, or protozoan?
- Surface — What type of surface — soft (porous) or hard (nonporous)? Viruses typically live longer on stainless steel and plastic. On soft surfaces, like fabric, viruses tend to die more quickly.
The influenza (flu) virus, for example, can live for 24 to 48 hours on hard surfaces. Cold germs can live on surfaces for up to one week, but they lose effectiveness after the first 24 hours. Cold germs on your hands can live for up to one hour. The coronavirus can live from a few hours to a few days.
Bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella may only live for 20 minutes but can live for up to four hours on hard surfaces. Clostridium difficile (C. diff) can last for up to five months on hard surfaces.
Steps to Sanitize Your House Post-Illness
By sanitizing your home post-illness, you can prevent the spread of germs and protect yourself and others from potential reinfection.
Even after you feel better germs linger — proper cleaning and disinfecting are important. Additionally, cleaning after being sick restores a sense of normalcy and comfort in your home.
Follow these steps to disinfect your home effectively after illness:
- Start with your hands — Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after cleaning to avoid spreading germs.
- Clean surfaces first — Use soap and water to remove dirt and debris from surfaces.
- Disinfect — After cleaning, apply a disinfectant to high-touch surfaces and let it sit for the recommended time to kill germs.
- Wash linens and clothing — Launder any sheets, towels, and clothes that have encountered germs.
- Toss tissues and disposables — Properly dispose of any used tissues, paper towels, or disposable items the sick person used.
Best Practices for Cleaning After Being Sick
Here are a few best practices for cleaning after illness so your home remains a safe and healthy environment for everyone.
Focus on high-touch surfaces
The most critical areas to disinfect in your home are high-touch surfaces. These include items you or others in your household touch frequently, such as:
- Bathroom faucets.
- Countertops.
- Doorknobs.
- Handles of appliances (microwave, refrigerator).
- Light switches.
- Phones, tablets, and computers.
- Remote controls.
These surfaces are prime locations for germ transmission, so prioritizing their cleaning is essential.
Use the right disinfectants
Not all cleaning products are effective against germs, so it’s important to use the right disinfectants. EPA-approved disinfectants are proven to kill viruses and bacteria.
For example, bleach- or alcohol-based cleaners with at least 70% alcohol are known to kill many viruses, including those that cause the flu and the common cold. When cleaning high-touch surfaces, follow the product’s instructions, including how long the surface should remain wet to ensure thorough disinfection.
Disinfect the bathroom and kitchen
Bathrooms and kitchens are areas where germs are easily spread, especially after someone has been sick. Make sure to disinfect the following:
- Countertops.
- Shared kitchen utensils or appliances.
- Shower and tub faucets.
- Sink faucets and handles.
- Toilet handles and seats.
It’s also important to wash all towels and hand towels in hot water to kill any remaining germs. Replace your toothbrush to eliminate germs and prevent reinfection.
Clean soft surfaces
While hard surfaces are the main culprits for germ transmission, soft surfaces like couches, rugs, and bedding also harbor germs.
If possible, wash any fabric items in hot water, like sheets, pillowcases, and blankets. For furniture and carpets, consider using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter or steam cleaning for extra effectiveness.
Ventilate the home
Good airflow eliminates germs from the air. Open windows and use fans to promote ventilation. Ventilation is particularly useful in areas like bedrooms and living rooms where germs might have accumulated.
Preventing reinfection through home cleaning during illness
In addition to cleaning after illness, it’s essential to maintain good home hygiene practices during your illness to prevent the spread of infection.
Regularly clean high-touch surfaces, wash your hands frequently, and avoid sharing personal items like towels, cups, or eating utensils. These preventive steps safeguard your home and the people in it from the spread of germs.
Can Natural Cleaning Products effectively Disinfect After Illness?
As the demand for eco-friendly and nontoxic cleaning products grows, many people turn to natural alternatives to disinfect their homes, especially after being sick. While these products are often safer for the environment and your health than harsh chemicals, their ability to effectively kill germs and viruses is sometimes limited.
Natural cleaning products pros and cons
Pros
- Nontoxic — Products like vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide are nontoxic and pose little risk if they come into contact with skin or if you accidentally inhale them.
- Safer for health and the environment — Natural cleaning products are typically free from harmful chemicals, making them safer for people with allergies, children, or pets. They also have less environmental impact because they’re often biodegradable and don’t contain toxic ingredients.
Cons
- Limited effectiveness against viruses — While natural cleaners like vinegar and hydrogen peroxide can kill certain bacteria, their effectiveness against viruses — mainly those responsible for the flu, colds, or other common illnesses — is limited. Viruses are much more resilient than bacteria and require more potent disinfectants to eliminate effectively.
- Weaker germ-killing properties — Many natural cleaning agents lack the broad-spectrum disinfecting power of chemical-based products like bleach or alcohol-based sanitizers designed to kill a broader range of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses.
Natural cleaning products for cleaning after an illness should be broad-spectrum disinfectants or those that specifically claim to kill viruses. Look for ingredients like thymol (derived from thyme) or citric acid (derived from lemon juice), which are more effective against viruses.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .
Sources
Sources
Cuntao Lan, Haiwei Zhu, Shenghua Wang, Lanlan Nie, Dawei Liu, Qi Shi, Xinpei Lu. Disinfection of viruses with cold atmospheric-pressure plasmas: Sources, mechanisms, and efficacy. Plasma Processes and Polymers. Link.
When and How to Clean and Disinfect Your Home. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Link.