School is back in session; the leaves are changing, and you’re ready to start decorating for fall. Before you go ahead and pull out those pumpkins, it’s time to deep clean your home to prepare for a long winter. You’re about to spend a lot more time indoors. Use this handy checklist and tips by Dr. Nurul Hariadi, pediatric infectious disease specialist at Banner Health Center in Maricopa to get your home ready for the cold weather.
“To prevent the spread of infection without driving yourself crazy, cleaning should focus on shared or frequently touched items, surfaces or spaces,” Dr. Hariadi said. “These include phones, remote controls, computers, stuffed animals, sheets, blankets, towels, light switches, doorknobs, tables and bathrooms. Since people tend to wipe and let dry with disinfectant wipe, it gives more time for disinfectant to kill the microorganisms. So, if you use disinfectant spray, give some time for the disinfectant to do the same thing before you wipe with paper towel.”
Living Room
- Wipe down baseboards
- Clean ceiling fan
- Vacuum in-between and beneath couch cushions
Kitchen
- Clean oven
- Vacuum refrigerator coils
- Wipe down refrigerator – inside and out, above and below
- Sanitize dishwasher
Bedroom
- Wash all pillows, mattress covers and clean ruffles
- Flip mattresses
Bathroom
- Replace all toothbrushes that are 3-month-old or older
- Check expiration dates on your makeup and medications
- Wash shower curtain
- Clean out vents
Cleaning your home is an important step this season to prevent the flu, but personal hygiene is important too.
“It does not matter how often you clean if you do not clean your hands regularly after every time you touch your nose, mouth or eyes.” Dr. Hariadi said. “More importantly during flu season, always throw away the tissue used to cover your nose or mouth when you sneeze or cough.”
Remember, among the most important things you can do to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated against it! Learn more about flu symptoms and types of flu shots or find a Banner Urgent Care near you.
