How to Properly Disinfect Your Home After Flu: Expert Tips for Effective Cleaning

Disinfecting your home after a bout of flu is crucial to prevent the spread of illness, according to the CDC. With flu viruses lingering on surfaces for up to two days, effective cleaning is essential, especially when someone in your home is sick or immuno-compromised. This guide provides expert advice on how to properly disinfect your living space.

Start with a Clean Surface

Before applying any disinfectant, it’s vital to clean surfaces thoroughly. Dr. Chetan Jinadatha, a clinical professor at Texas A&M, emphasizes that organic material can neutralize disinfectants, making them less effective. Maddy Baker, a school custodian, suggests using a multi-purpose cleaner or degreaser, such as Zep, to ensure surfaces are clean.

Alternatively, a mixture of dish soap and water can also work effectively, particularly on sensitive surfaces that can’t handle harsh chemicals. Baker recommends using a microfiber cloth, which is excellent for trapping dust and grime while scrubbing surfaces.

Check the Label of Disinfectants

When selecting a disinfectant, it’s important to check the product label. Disinfectants categorize illnesses by letters; for instance, products that can kill Covid-19 germs will display List N. For other germs, such as those from Ebola, look for List Q. You can verify the effectiveness of disinfectants by visiting the Environmental Protection Agency website.

“You can go there and see which disinfectants have those particular kill claims,” Jinadatha noted, highlighting the importance of choosing the right product for effective germ elimination.

Use Disinfectants Regularly

To effectively minimize the risk of spreading germs, it’s advisable to disinfect surfaces daily when someone in your household is sick. Jinadatha warns, “You don’t know what they’re touching and where they’re spreading it.” He personally uses a standard bleach solution, diluted to a ratio of one to ten with water, allowing it to sit for 3 to 5 minutes before wiping away.

Baker recommends OdoBan’s Disinfectant Concentrate, a hospital-grade disinfectant that is both cost-efficient and effective. “Once diluted properly, it effectively kills germs while also acting as a deodorizer,” she added.

Don’t Wipe It Right Away

One common mistake is wiping disinfectants off surfaces too quickly. Jinadatha explains, “These disinfectants don’t kill on contact.” Each product has a specific dwell time, which is the amount of time it needs to sit on a surface to be effective. It’s crucial to allow the disinfectant to remain on the surface for the recommended time, which can vary depending on the product and the type of bacteria.

For instance, killing Norovirus may require a longer dwell time than Covid-19. Always read the label for specific instructions, as hospital-grade disinfectants often have stricter guidelines.