When someone has a cold or the flu in the house, a thorough clean will help protect your family and refresh your home. Try my simple, inexpensive and effective homemade options.
Has the winter cold and flu bug hit your house? When we have someone sick in the house, I try to avoid exposing it to other family members. There are particular things I clean after cold or flu, to disinfect during and once the sneezing, coughing and or vomiting is over.
It’s important to prevent the spreading of germs for everybody in the home by frequently washing your hands with soap and water and keeping areas and surfaces within the home clean. You can purchase antibacterial cleaners from the supermarket. However, if you don’t have them on hand, are in no mood to go out or want to eliminate the use of chemicals, try these very simple, inexpensive and effective homemade options which I have shared below.
1. AIR OUT THE HOUSE, LET THE FRESH AIR IN
2. LINENS
Wash these linens in warm water in the washing machine along with your regular washing detergent. To help disinfect the linens, add 1 cup of vinegar with 2-3 drops of tea tree oil to the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine. Tea Tree Oil is a natural solution to disinfect laundry with significant antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties. Vinegar also acts as a natural disinfectant, killing germs, bacteria or mould present in the linens and removes soap residue. I like to use vinegar instead of fabric softener. Wash the following linens:
- sheets
- pillows
- quilts/doona covers
- towels
- hand towels
However, I do tend to give the person who’s sick a fresh towel and pillow case every day.
3. frequently touched places
4. STUFFED TEDDIES
5. BATHROOM
Germs can linger on most areas of the bathroom. Use an antibacterial wipe or cloth with antibacterial cleaner to clean the following surfaces:
- taps
- sink
- vanity surfaces
- light switch
- door handle
- toilet
Simply add a few drops of your favourite oil to the inside of the cardboard toilet roll to freshen up the entire bathroom!
6. toothbrush
I haven’t researched it completely, so I am unsure if germs left behind on your toothbrush after being sick will cause you to get sick again, however, I disinfect toothbrushes purely for my own peace of mind. Let the toothbrush soak in an antibacterial solution for a few hours – try any of the following methods:
- a cup of vinegar;
- a cup of mouthwash, or
- 10 drops of tea tree oil with a cup of water.
This will kill most bacteria and germs on the toothbrush.
7. electronic devices
8. loungeroom cushions and throws
For those who like to lay on the couch while unwell, you may need to consider cleaning cushions or throws that have used by somebody unwell, to wash away any remaining germs. Add Laundry Cleanser to the wash to help kill bacteria and dry in the sunshine.
If you find yourself with a blocked nose try adding 2-5 drops of winter rescue essential oil to water in a diffuser to ease the stuffiness.
9. RUBBISH BINS
Spary your rubbish bins with vinegar to disinfect as they have been filled with germ-filled tissues.
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