House Cleaning Tips to Prevent Germs Spread
A clean home is like a breath of fresh air. Besides reducing your stress and boosting your mood, cleaning is also about keeping your family safe. Germs thrive on a wide range of surfaces, and if you’re not careful, your cleaning routine could end up spreading them around instead of eliminating them. With a few smart house cleaning tips and tricks, you can keep your home fresh and healthy for everyone who walks through the door.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Are Not the Same
The terms “clean” and “disinfect” are often used interchangeably, but they mean different things. Cleaning involves using soap, water, or all-purpose spray to remove visible dirt, crumbs, and grime. Disinfecting goes one step further, killing bacteria and viruses that remain on the surface even after it looks clean.
Think about your kitchen counter after making dinner. Wiping away crumbs and food smears is cleaning. Spraying a disinfectant, letting it sit for the recommended time, and wiping it up is disinfecting. For your family and guests to stay healthy, both steps need to work together. This is one of the most overlooked deep cleaning house tips, but it’s the difference between a space that looks clean and one that’s actually clean.
Essential Tools and Supplies for Germ-Free Cleaning
Keep these basics on hand to help you clean effectively without spreading germs:
- Rubber gloves: Designate one pair for the kitchen and another for bathrooms. Wear them while cleaning and disinfecting to protect your hands.
- Microfiber cloths: Unlike paper towels or old rags, microfiber cloths trap particles instead of just moving them around. They’re washable and reusable, making them effective and economical.
- All-purpose cleaner: Instead of a specialty product for every task, you can grab an all-purpose cleaner for most jobs. They work well on countertops, sinks, bathroom fixtures, walls, doors, and appliance exteriors. However, don’t use all-purpose cleaner on natural stone countertops, unfinished wood, or electronics.
- Disinfectant sprays or wipes: Choose EPA-approved products or alcohol-based solutions with at least 70% alcohol.
- Scrub brushes and sponges: Use one for sinks and countertops, another for tubs and showers, and a third for tougher messes.
- Buckets and mops: Dedicate one set for bathrooms and another for the kitchen. Cross-contamination is a fast way for germs to spread while cleaning.
- Vacuum with a HEPA filter: Bagged vacuums push fine particles back into the air. Bagless versions with HEPA filters are better at trapping dust, dander, and other microscopic particles.
10 House Cleaning Tips to Prevent Spreading Germs
Once you’ve gathered the right supplies, it’s time to put them to use. Follow these tips for cleaning your house to stop germs from multiplying and spreading:
- Tackle high-touch areas daily: Light switches, remote controls, doorknobs, and faucet handles are touched constantly. A quick wipe with disinfectant each day keeps them from becoming a breeding ground for germs.
- Don’t overlook hidden spots: Garbage can lids, fridge handles, phones, tablet screens, and computer keyboards are often forgotten but carry plenty of germs. Add them to your weekly checklist.
- Clean from top to bottom: Start with light fixtures, shelves, and countertops. Then, work your way down to the floors. This way, dust and debris don’t land on areas you’ve already cleaned.
- Switch out cleaning cloths often: A cloth used in the bathroom should never touch the kitchen counters. Have a clean stack ready and swap them out to avoid spreading toilet germs into your cooking and eating space.
- Clean first: Disinfectants work best on a pre-cleaned surface, so apply all-purpose cleaner before disinfecting to remove loose debris and stuck-on residue.
- Give disinfectants time to work: Spraying and wiping immediately won’t kill germs effectively. Read the label to know how long they need to sit wet on a surface to work as intended.
- Disinfect cleaning tools: Sponges and brushes quickly turn into germ factories. Replace them regularly or sanitize them in the dishwasher. Other tools that deserve attention include mop heads, broom bristles, and vacuum attachments.
- Use only one cleaner at a time: Combining cleaners like bleach and ammonia is ineffective and dangerous. Never mix cleaners to avoid exposure to harmful fumes.
- Handle laundry with care: Carry laundry in a basket rather than dragging it, and fold it in a designated area instead of on the floor. Avoid shaking dirty clothes, which releases germs into the air, and wash heavily soiled items in hot water when possible.
- Promote airflow: Open the windows or run an exhaust fan while cleaning. Ventilation helps disinfectants work better and reduces the concentration of airborne particles from cleaning products.
Leave it to Special Ops Clean Team
Controlling germs is a daily struggle. For professional help, turn to Special Ops Clean Team. We offer licensed, insured, and bonded cleaning services to residents and businesses in the Valley. Our dedicated team is trained to perform thorough interior and exterior cleaning, from carpets and upholstery to pressure washing and bulk trash removal. Another specialty, move-in and move-out house cleaning, gives you peace of mind when moving into a new place or listing your property for sale. If you prefer to let us handle the hard work, please contact us today to schedule cleaning services in Phoenix, AZ.
FAQs
How often should high-touch surfaces be cleaned?
Countertops, doorknobs, remote controls, and faucets should be cleaned and disinfected daily.
What’s the most germ-infested area of the home?
The kitchen usually takes the prize. Sponges, sinks, and cutting boards may harbor more bacteria than the toilet if not cleaned properly.
Is it safe to use the same cleaning cloth for multiple rooms?
No. Using the same cloth transfers germs from one room to another. Switch to a new cloth between rooms and wash before reusing.
Is it necessary to hire a professional house cleaning company?
This depends on your needs. A professional cleaning service brings commercial-grade tools and proven techniques to every job. You can expect thorough cleaning and disinfection without lifting a finger.