Let’s face it – trying to keep your home free of germs, while allowing your child to attend school with hundreds of other students, is no picnic. While schools have increased the use of anti-germ soaps and hand sanitizers, keeping track of all those little hands is a real nightmare for each teacher and parents. As a parent, you may feel overwhelmed with all the home cleaning that is required when your little ones get sick but there are simple things you can do to keep your home germ-free.
Home Cleaning Tips That Eliminate Germs
One of the simplest steps to kill off germs is to purchase an air filter that uses an ultraviolet light. Studies have shown that ultraviolet germicidal lamps (UVGL) kill most germs within just a few seconds. Additionally, air filters that incorporate HEPA air filters with UVGL are also recommended by the Center for Disease Control for increasing air quality indoors. Additionally, UVGL can also be added to most heating and air conditioning units to maintain a germ-free environment.
Adding hand sanitizer stations throughout the house, i.e. by entrance ways, and encouraging little ones to use them every time they walk in a room can significantly decrease germs. Then it is as simple as encouraging your little ones to always “sanitize” their hands when entering a room.
With advances in technology, most washers now even have a “sanitizer” cycle, which uses either steam or water heated to 165 degrees to kill 99.9% of unwanted microorganisms. Plus, the sanitizer also rids your clothes and linens of odor-causing bacteria.
Another simple fix when home cleaning is required after an outbreak of the flu or cold is using anti-bacterial wipes. These are great for wiping down counter-tops, stoves, refrigerator, toys, and other surfaces when home cleaning. Placing anti-bacterial wipes throughout the house and encouraging family members to grab one, wipe the surface after use, and then throw away are excellent ways of preventing germ infestations.
Also, when someone in the house does get sick, consider using disposable items like cups, silverware, and plates. This can reduce the risk of spreading the germs to other family members by simply discarding their items (and their germs).
For those that prefer a natural remedy, vinegar can be your best friend. Household vinegar can eliminate 90% of all bacteria and 80% of mold and germs. Simply fill a spray bottle with 50% water and 50% vinegar and use it to wipe down surfaces. Vinegar can be used to clean floors, kill odors, and removes stains without the harmful chemicals contained in other household cleaning products.
Although no home can ever be 100% germ-free, by utilizing some of these simple steps, you can significantly decrease the number of germs in your home. Decreasing the germs in your home also decreases the number of illnesses that can affect you and your family.
Of course, we know that in today’s world, finding time for cleaning the home can be a real issue and we are here to help. The Maids Triad offers a 22-step Healthy Touch deep-cleaning process to ensure that your home is spotlessly cleaned. If you need maid service in Winston-Salem, then give us a call at (336) 292-7805.