Everything you should clean if someone at home has been ill

Whether it concerns covid-19 or a common cold, it's smart to do a little extra cleaning after someone in the family has been ill. It can prevent others from becoming infected. Moreover, it also feels fresher, of course!
TKeep the following in mind when cleaning in connection with illness:

1. Use gloves and wash your hands

Gloves are especially good to use when cleaning after someone who is ill. You can either use disposable or reusable gloves. Usually, it's better for both the environment and your wallet to use rubber gloves that can be reused, but when it comes to preventing the spread of illness, disposable ones are better.

If you only have washing-up gloves at home, that's better than nothing. You can clean them with warm water and dishwashing liquid. But if you want to save them, then continue using them for cleaning. Also, make sure to hang them up so they dry properly after cleaning. Regardless of which gloves you use when cleaning, you should wash your hands thoroughly when you are finished.

2. Open the windows and draw the curtains aside

Some diseases are spread through the air. But even if there's no longer any risk of that when it's time for you to clean after someone who has been ill, it doesn't hurt to let in some fresh air.

Researchers have discovered that certain bacteria die much faster when exposed to outdoor air. It is not yet known exactly why, but it's a good reason to open the windows. Additionally, sunlight also causes bacteria and viruses to die faster, so let the light in.

Besides preventing infection, fresh air contributes to a cleaner feeling and a healthier indoor environment. And the floors dry faster when you have mopped.

Read more about ventilation and coronavirus here.

3. Disinfect touch points

Think about where the sick person has been and which touch points might need cleaning. Bed linen should be changed, especially if the person had a fever and sweated. Disinfect touch points such as light switches, door handles, mobile phones and keyboards.

Toilet bowls and washbasins should also be cleaned thoroughly. Change the towels in the bathroom as well. Both towels and bed linen should be washed at 60 degrees.

4. Clean surfaces thoroughly

Wipe surfaces in the home where the sick person has been with water and dishwashing liquid or soap. If the person had an infectious illness such as stomach flu or covid-19, you should also finish by disinfecting the surfaces to ensure no bacteria or viruses remain.

5. Replace sponges and cloths

Go around the home and collect sponges and cloths that were used during the period of illness. Microfibre cloths can be washed in the washing machine, while others can be recycled. Some others should be thrown in the household waste. By replacing with clean cloths and sponges, you avoid spreading infection through them.

6. Do a thorough clean

A side effect of being ill is often falling behind with cleaning. You simply don't have the energy, so when you finally get better, you need to catch up on missed cleaning. After cleaning things that need to be cleaned from an infection control perspective, it's time to do a proper thorough clean.

Getting the home clean and tidy is not only good for physical health but also for mental health. It becomes a nice fresh start after illness if you clean up properly, and it gives new energy to get back to everyday life again.

Cleaning after illness

1. Use gloves and wash your hands thoroughly.

2. Let in fresh air and sunlight when you clean.

3. Disinfect touch points such as handles and light switches.

4. Clean and disinfect surfaces in the home.

5. Replace old sponges and cloths that can spread infection. Do a proper thorough clean.

The role of cleaning during the pandemic

Right now many are wondering both how to clean when someone has had or has corona and how to clean preventively to avoid becoming infected. Here you can read about how to prevent covid-19.

If you feel you need help with cleaning in Stockholm, please feel free to contact us. If you have symptoms, we will wait to come until you are well. We are also careful not to come to your home if we feel unwell.

Read more about how we handle coronavirus.