We are mid-way through autumn and before you know it, winter will be upon us and we’ll be dodging runny noses, nagging coughs and bouts of flu. While there’s a lot that you can do to keep yourself and your family healthy – make sure you get enough sleep, eat well, exercise regularly, and be sure to drink enough water every day – there are also a few forms of hygiene cleaning that can help keep those germs at bay in your home.
It all begins at your front door – be sure to keep a clean mat at the door that everyone can wipe their feet on before they enter your home, and if you have babies or small children eating and rolling around on the floor, then try to get everyone to leave their shoes at the door so that potentially harmful bacteria isn’t tracked through onto your carpet. Another way to prevent this is with regular dry carpet cleaning – it leaves carpets hygienically clean and instantly ready to walk on.
According to research, flu viruses can survive on hard surfaces for up to 24 hours – scary thought, isn’t it? So be sure to sanitise all the areas that are touched frequently – door handles, light switches, remote controls; and all the countertops (especially those used for food preparation), desks and table tops. Be extra vigilant when you’ve had someone over who’s feeling a little under the weather – keep a packet of sanitising wipes handy for quick and easy detoxing.
Wash all your cleaning equipment – too often we think about what we’re cleaning as opposed to what we’re cleaning with! Regular spring cleaning will ensure that you’re not simply spreading the germs around. And yes, you can zap that kitchen sponge in the microwave, but new studies suggest that we’re merely killing off the weakest germs, leaving the stronger bacteria to thrive. If you can, simply throw it out and start with a new one, or if you’d prefer recycling, run it through your hottest wash cycle with bleach, and then use it in a less hygiene-sensitive area, like your bathroom.
Consider investing in a humidifier, not only will it help soothe sinuses and nasal passages, leading to fewer coughing fits, which in turn decreases the amount of flu droplets spewed into the air; but some research also suggests that keeping indoor air more humid reduces the longevity of those droplets. Just remember the humidifier will also need proper hygiene cleaning to prevent it becoming counterproductive.
At the end of the day, we can’t control our environments completely, but we can do our best to keep our homes bacteria and flu-virus free to some extent. And if a good spring cleaning feels in order, but you don’t have the time or energy to do it yourself, call QClean – experts at ensuring homes are hygienically clean and healthy.
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