Keeping a Clean Home During Flu Season

As flu season approaches, it is more important than ever to keep a clean home. The last thing anybody wants is to bring sickness into their home. And of course, we all want to keep those around us safe and healthy. 

Keeping those pesky germs out of the house can be quite the task. Here at Let’s Shine we have compiled some helpful tips to keep your house clean, and in turn stay healthy during this season. 

1 - Wash Your Hands

The outside world is full of germs. Unfortunately, it’s hard to keep up hygiene when you pass so many different people every day. Especially due to the fact that we use our hands the most- which makes them the dirtiest part of the body. From touching money, to opening doors and shopping or holding someone’s hand- our hands go though a lot on a daily basis. This makes it all the more important to keep them clean.

The good news - you can control this at home. Washing your hands whenever you enter the house is just one way of keeping the germs at bay. Use the twenty second rule - it’s not just useful for Covid. Washing your hands for twenty seconds after coming home is a good habit to get into- and a good way of ensuring you stay healthy.

2 - Wipe Down Regularly Used Surfaces

Whether it be door handles, or kitchen cupboards - we don’t often consider the surfaces we touch most. If these remain disinfected, the chances of getting sick decrease as you are less likely to come into contact with unhealthy germs. 

Take a note of what parts of the home get used the most, or where you spend the most time. And make sure they remain clean. Make sure to consider areas you might not clean as often too, and give them a little more attention. 

Some commonly used areas to consider are: Light switches, kitchen cabinets, sink handles and tabletops.

3 - Laundry

Confronting the dreaded pile of laundry can oftentimes be a tedious task. But it is an important one. 

When we go outdoors, our clothes are confronted with many surfaces. From public restrooms, to communal work areas- we cannot ensure that the places we visit daily are clean. Make sure to put on a fresh, clean change of clothes as soon as you come home - and leave the ones you’ve been using all day to be cleaned.

It’s also important to remember not to wear shoes inside the house. Going outside, our shoes are met with many things on the floor- most of which are not clean. From litter to mud and less than pleasant things. The last thing anybody wants is to spread all that dirt around the home. 

4 - Don’t Forget The Bedsheets

Washing your bedsheets and pillowcases on a regular basis can help keep you healthy. It removes unwanted dust, and any germs that may have gathered. Which can make all the difference when you’re staying healthy. 

The Good Housekeeping Institute recommends that you should change your bedsheets once every two weeks. Though doing so on a weekly basis can be good this time of year - especially of you’re somebody who suffers with asthma. It’s also very important in keeping up with hygiene - so make sure you don’t forget!

5 - Keep the Air Clean

Investing in an air purifier this time of year can be a good idea. Air purifiers are fantastic at removing pollutants from the air, like dust or pollen- which can make an incredible difference in the quality of your breathing and help keep you healthy. 

Also, it’s very important to clean up mould and keep humidity at bay. This can also improve the air quality of your home, and prevent issues such as coughing and sickness. 

You may also wish to consider using a diffuser with essential oils - for those who have a tolerance for these scents. Essential oils can help purify the air inside the house and keep it clean, and breathing in these natural scents can be good for the body too- inducing a number of health benefits while also preventing sickness.

6 - Avoid Sharing

We have all heard the term “sharing is caring” - but this isn’t always true! During flu season, its more important than ever to limit the spread of harmful germs and bacteria. This means that items such as drinking glasses, straws, and cutlery should be kept to yourself only.

While we all want to think the best in everyone, it’s important to stay cautious this time of year, as we don’t know where the people around us have been or who they’ve been in contact with. This is why it is important to keep to yourself, and make sure you’re containing the spread of germs. 

7 - Consider Wearing a Mask

We are forced to interact with strangers in our day to day life. Whether its going to the shop, getting on a bus, or simply walking down the high street - public areas can sometimes become quite crowded. Wearing a mask in areas where there’s a lot of people can be very helpful in keeping sicknesses away. 

If you choose to wear a mask, make sure to use one that fits property over your nose and mouth. Also, if you use reusable masks, make sure to wash them after every outing. After all, only a clean mask will be of use.

Keep your body just as clean as your home…

While all of these tips are useful in staying healthy and keeping a clean home, with the approach of flu season it’s important to remember to take care of the body. By eating healthy, seasonal foods and conducting regular exercise you’re helping to build up a strong immune system, and staying healthy in the best way. After all, the best way to keep the flu out of your home is by preventing yourself from getting sick in the first place.

Ivelina Paldamova