Cleaning Vs. Disinfecting
Cold and flu season seems to get worse every year (but hey, at least we’re not talkinga bout COVID anymore). One kid comes home from school sniffling. A coworker insists it’s “just allergies.” A few days later, tissues are everywhere, the couch has become a sickbed, and everyone’s counting down until things feel normal again.
Once the coughing stops and energy returns, the next thought is almost always the same:
“Okay… now how do I disinfect the house after illness so germs don’t stick around?”
The good news is you don’t need to panic-clean every surface or bleach your entire home or office. What you do need is a smart, targeted post-sickness cleaning routine that focuses on the right areas, uses disinfectants safely, and actually works.
Cleaning removes dirt, residue, and many germs using soap, detergent, and water. Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs that remain on surfaces after cleaning. During normal times, cleaning alone is often enough. After someone has been sick, disinfecting becomes more important (especially in shared spaces).
If you feel like you need a good cleaning to get a healthy, fresh start, check out our helpful tips below…
First, Let Your Space Breathe Again
Before reaching for disinfectants, reset the space. Fresh air and a focused approach make post-illness cleaning safer and far more effective. Instead of trying to disinfect everything, concentrate on what actually spreads germs.
Focus on these two steps first:
- Get fresh air moving by opening windows when possible and running exhaust fans in bedrooms, bathrooms, and common areas to reduce lingering odors and refresh the space.
- Target high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, light switches, faucets, toilet flush handles, fridge doors, remotes, phones, keyboards, cabinet pulls, and shared electronics. These are the fastest ways germs spread during cold and flu season.
Bedrooms
If someone spent multiple days resting in bed, that room deserves special attention. Start by wiping down nightstands, lamp switches, headboards (if wipeable), and any surfaces frequently touched while sick.
Bedding and blankets should be washed in warm water on the warmest appropriate setting and dried completely. Don’t forget pillows, pillowcases, and that favorite throw blanket everyone curls up with; it’s almost always overlooked.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are among the most important areas for post-sickness cleaning, and they’re also where rushed cleaning tends to miss the real problem spots.
After illness, focus on fully cleaning and disinfecting toilets, sinks, and showers, but don’t stop there. The base of the toilet, the floor around it, faucet handles, and light switches are common sources of odor and germs.
If a bathroom still smells “off” even after wiping surfaces, the issue is usually buildup in hard-to-reach areas. Taking a little extra time here makes a noticeable difference.
Kitchens And Breakrooms
Whether at home or in an office, kitchens and breakrooms see constant hand traffic. Even when people aren’t cooking, they’re opening the fridge, grabbing drinks, touching cabinet pulls, and using shared appliances.
After illness, clean and disinfect fridge handles, microwave buttons, faucet handles, countertop edges, and shared small appliances like coffee makers. In offices, break rooms deserve the same level of attention as bathrooms!
This is especially important when multiple people share the space throughout the day.
Offices And Workspaces
When illness passes through a workplace, the goal isn’t to turn the office into a hospital-grade environment. It’s to clean and disinfect the areas people actually touch.
Desks, keyboards, phones, conference tables, chair arms, reception counters, shared printers, and breakroom surfaces should all be addressed. Restrooms and entry areas deserve extra attention, since they see the highest traffic.
A professional office disinfection service approach focuses on targeted cleaning and consistent routines, not fogging every corner or using harsh chemicals unnecessarily.
When DIY Isn’t Enough
Cleaning after illness can sometimes feel doable and other times overwhelming. This is completely normal!
Many people choose professional help when illness has affected multiple people, when an office needs a fast reset, or when someone in the home is at higher risk and peace of mind matters. A one-time professional clean can quickly reset the space, while recurring service helps keep high-touch areas under control during peak sickness seasons.
If you do want to try to tidy up yourself, always follow the product label, especially the contact time. Disinfectants need to stay wet on the surface for a specific amount of time to kill germs. Wiping too soon reduces effectiveness. Never mix cleaning products. Combining bleach or disinfectants with other cleaners can create dangerous fumes. Stick to one product at a time and rinse surfaces when switching.
Getting Back To Normal, Faster
Post-sickness cleaning doesn’t need to be stressful or extreme. By focusing on high-touch surfaces, cleaning before disinfecting, and using products safely, you can move past cold and flu season without worrying about germs lingering longer than they should.
And sometimes, the easiest way to get back to normal is to let someone else handle the reset. Whether you need a quick reset after illness or ongoing support during cold and flu season, we can help you create a cleaner, healthier space without the stress.
If you’re looking for help with post-sickness cleaning, Poseidon’s Mermaids offers both one-time cleaning and recurring cleaning options for homes and offices throughout the Toledo area.
Contact us for a quick, free quote and see what we can do for you!
