The flu can leave you feeling exhausted, achy, and downright miserable. But even after you or a family member starts feeling better, the germs that caused the illness may still be lurking around your home. Flu viruses can survive on surfaces for up to 48 hours, meaning your home could still be a hotspot for infection.
A deep, targeted cleaning after the flu isn’t just about tidying up—it’s about eliminating germs, preventing reinfection, and creating a fresh, healthy space for your family. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to thoroughly disinfect your home so you can get back to feeling your best.
1. Start with the Right Mindset: Cleaning vs. Disinfecting
It’s important to understand the difference between cleaning and disinfecting:
✔ Cleaning removes dirt and some germs but doesn’t necessarily kill them.
✔ Disinfecting kills viruses and bacteria on surfaces, stopping them from spreading.
After the flu, you need to do both. Start by cleaning surfaces with soap and water to remove grime, then follow up with a disinfectant to eliminate lingering germs.
2. Focus on High-Touch Areas: Where Germs Linger Most
Flu germs spread through the air and by touch, making high-contact areas in your home a priority. Even if they look clean, these surfaces are likely covered in bacteria and viruses.
✔ Disinfect These High-Touch Items Immediately:
Door Handles & Light Switches – Flu germs can transfer every time someone touches them.
Remote Controls & Game Controllers – These are often forgotten but are constantly touched.
Cell Phones, Tablets & Keyboards – We touch them all day, but rarely think to clean them.
Refrigerator & Microwave Handles – The kitchen is a hotspot for germ transmission.
Faucets & Toilet Flush Handles – The bathroom can harbor flu germs for days.
How to Clean:
Use disinfectant wipes or a spray with a minimum of 70% alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or a household disinfectant labeled to kill flu viruses. Let the disinfectant sit for at least 5 minutes before wiping it off to ensure it kills all germs.
3. Refresh the Bedroom: Where Flu Germs Hide
Since we spend most of our sick time in bed, the bedroom needs extra attention after an illness.
✔ Wash All Bedding & Pillows
Strip the bed completely, including sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and comforters.
Wash everything in hot water (at least 140°F) and use a high heat setting in the dryer.
If possible, sanitize pillows in the dryer or replace them if they’re older.
✔ Clean & Disinfect the Mattress
Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress to absorb odors, then vacuum it after 15 minutes.
Lightly spray the mattress with a disinfectant mist or diluted rubbing alcohol.
✔ Wipe Down Nightstands & Bedside Items
Disinfect anything near the sick person—lamps, alarm clocks, tissue boxes, and even books.
4. Sanitize the Bathroom: The Germ Headquarters
The bathroom is one of the germiest places in your home, and when someone is sick, it becomes ground zero for flu bacteria.
✔ Disinfect the Toilet, Sink, and Shower
Scrub the toilet bowl with a disinfecting cleaner and wipe down the entire exterior.
Clean and disinfect faucets, sink handles, and soap dispensers—they get touched often.
If the sick person used the shower, wash towels, bath mats, and shower curtains in hot water.
✔ Replace or Sanitize Toothbrushes
Throw away the toothbrush of the sick person—it could still harbor flu germs.
For electric toothbrush heads, soak them in hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes.
5. Clean the Kitchen: Prevent Germ Spread Through Food
Flu germs don’t just stay in one room—they travel to the kitchen, where food is prepared and eaten.
✔ Wash All Dishes & Utensils in Hot Water
If the sick person used any dishes, wash them in the dishwasher on the hottest setting.
If hand-washing, use hot, soapy water and a disinfecting rinse (like diluted vinegar).
✔ Disinfect Kitchen Surfaces
Wipe down countertops, refrigerator handles, cabinet knobs, and dining tables.
Throw out used tissues, old food, and anything the sick person handled frequently.
✔ Swap Out Kitchen Towels & Sponges
Germs love kitchen sponges—replace them or microwave them for 2 minutes to kill bacteria.
Wash dish towels and hand towels in hot water and bleach if possible.
6. Floors & Fabrics: Eliminating Germs You Can’t See
Flu germs don’t just settle on hard surfaces—they also live in carpets, rugs, and soft furniture.
✔ Vacuum and Steam Clean Carpets
Use a HEPA-filter vacuum to trap small particles instead of spreading them around.
If possible, use a steam cleaner on carpets and rugs to kill hidden germs.
✔ Wash or Disinfect Curtains & Upholstered Furniture
Use a fabric-safe disinfectant spray or steam clean upholstered chairs and couches.
If the sick person rested on the couch, wash throw blankets and pillow covers.
7. Freshen the Air: Get Rid of That “Sick Room” Smell
Even after everything is disinfected, the air can still feel stale and stuffy. Here’s how to refresh it:
✔ Air Out the House
Open all windows for at least 30 minutes to let fresh air circulate.
✔ Use Essential Oils or Natural Air Fresheners
Tea tree oil, eucalyptus, and lemon oil help purify the air naturally.
Simmer a pot of water with cinnamon sticks and citrus peels for a natural deodorizer.
✔ Run an Air Purifier
If you have an air purifier with a HEPA filter, turn it on to remove lingering germs.
Final Thoughts: A Clean Home for a Healthy Family
Recovering from the flu is tough, but taking the time to thoroughly clean and disinfect your home ensures that the illness doesn’t linger. By focusing on high-touch surfaces, bedding, the bathroom, and kitchen, you can eliminate flu germs and create a fresh, healthy environment for your family.
Feeling overwhelmed? Let DJO Home Cleaning handle the deep cleaning for you. Our expert team will disinfect your home from top to bottom, so you can focus on feeling better. Contact us today and let’s make your home fresh, clean, and flu-free!
Ready to transform your home? DJO Home Cleaning can handle the dirty work for you! Contact us today to schedule a professional cleaning and enjoy a spotless, stress-free home.
Book Your Cleaning Service or call us at (800) 215-3197.
Comments