Winter gives us a chance to pull our cozy blankets and puffy jackets out of storage. It also brings an increased risk of sickness, as cold and flu viruses thrive in colder temperatures. While we can’t control the weather here in Texas, we can take proactive measures to create a healthier home. In this article, we will explore how house cleaning plays a critical role in preventing sickness during the winter months. By understanding the connection between cleanliness and wellness, you can fortify your home against winter illnesses.
Then we will discuss simple steps you can take now to prevent sickness in your home this winter.
6 Ways House Cleaning Prevents Sickness in the Winter
- Eliminates Disease-Causing Germs
- Enhances Indoor Air Quality
- Prevents Mold and Humidity
- Fosters a Healthier Kitchen
- Supports a Good Night’s Sleep
- Promotes Personal Hygiene
House Cleaning Helps Eliminate Disease-Causing Germs
During winter, we spend more time indoors, creating ideal conditions for germs to spread. Regular house cleaning helps combat these germs, reducing the risk of contagion. Clean and sanitized home surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, countertops, and remote controls, significantly reduces the number of disease-causing pathogens.
House Cleaning Enhances Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality tends to suffer during winter when we keep our windows closed to keep the cold air out. Dust, dander, and other allergens accumulate, aggravating respiratory issues and increasing the likelihood of infections. Deep cleaning techniques like dusting, vacuuming, and air purification can help remove these particles, improving the air quality and reducing the chances of respiratory illnesses.
House Cleaning Prevents Mold and Humidity
Winter is notorious for creating damp and humid environments, perfect breeding grounds for mold and mildew. These fungi not only damage your home but also pose health risks, especially for those with respiratory conditions. Regular cleaning and disinfecting, coupled with proper ventilation, help control moisture levels, preventing mold growth and reducing the potential for respiratory issues.
House Cleaning Fosters a Healthier Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home, but it can also be a hotbed for bacterial growth and foodborne illnesses. In winter, we tend to cook more hot meals and gather for meals, meaning the risk of food contamination increases. Regular deep cleaning of kitchen surfaces, appliances, cutting boards, and utensils, as well as proper food handling and storage practices, can prevent the spread of bacteria, viruses, and foodborne illnesses.
House Cleaning Supports a Good Night’s Sleep
A clean and clutter-free bedroom fosters better sleep, a vital component of a strong immune system. Regular house cleaning involves changing bedding, washing bed linens at high temperatures, and removing allergens that can disrupt sleep patterns. With cleaner air and a tranquil sleep environment, you are better equipped to fight off winter infections.
House Cleaning Promotes Personal Hygiene
House cleaning is not limited to the physical environment; it also encourages good personal hygiene practices. Regular cleaning and restocking of bathrooms with soap, hand sanitizers, and clean towels can serve as gentle reminders for everyone in the household to uphold hand hygiene, a crucial defense against germs and viruses.
Steps to Create a Healthier Home
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends following several steps to promote a healthier home and prevent sickness this winter.
“Cleaning is an important first step to make sure you remove most germs from surfaces in your home,” according to the CDC.
Clean Regularly
- Clean high-touch surfaces most frequently like door knobs, light switches, faucets, and countertops.
- Do regular cleanings in your home
- Clean after you have guests in your home
- Clean especially when someone in your home is sick or has been sick
Think Like a Child
If you have littles in your home, consider where they touch and what they touch most frequently.
- Sanitize toys and objects that babies and children put in their mouths
- Regularly wipe down surfaces at your child’s height
Encourage Healthy Hygiene Practices in Your Home
- Practice hand washing especially with children
- Keep hand soap stocked and drying towels handy
- Keep tissues available and practice the right way to cough and sneeze with your family
Sanitize and Disinfect Surfaces in Your Home Regularly
- Clean first with water and soap
- Sanitize surfaces and objects in your home as needed. Sanitizing can be done using a diluted bleach solution or sanitizing spray, according to the CDC. Items like baby toys, refrigerators, and surfaces that have come in contact with disease or virus-spreading germs require sanitizing.
- Disinfect surfaces as needed using a stronger bleach solution or disinfectant products. Disinfecting is important when someone in your home is sick or has a weakened immune system.
- Follow several guidelines before using disinfectants:
- Use products in a well ventilated area
- Use protective equipment like gloves and goggles
- Keep the disinfectant on long enough to kill the germs
- Never mix chemicals or cleaners together
- Keep products out of the reach of children and pets
Winter may bring chilly days and increased health risks, but practicing regular house cleaning can be your secret weapon in preventing sickness. By eliminating germs, enhancing indoor air quality, combating mold, fostering a safe kitchen environment, supporting quality sleep, and promoting personal hygiene, we can significantly reduce the likelihood of illness during the winter months. So, embrace the power of cleanliness, make it a priority in your home, and create a wellness haven that shields you and your loved ones from winter ailments.
At H&R Cleaning, we use commercial-grade cleaners and sanitize surfaces in your home. With recurring cleanings, you can promote a healthy environment in your home and stave off those winter blues.
