Protecting Your Home and Health During Flu Season
The dreaded winter flu can be enough to pull the wind out of anyone’s sails. Coughs, runny noses, fevers, and night sweats are the hallmarks of the cold and flu season. Your first line of defence is the flu vaccine. However, there are several strategies that can help protect your family’s health and keep those pesky germs at bay.
Many different viruses thrive in winter, causing colds, gastroenteritis, and influenza. Some can survive on surfaces for several days! Can these lingering germs reinfect other members of your family, visitors, and friends? How can you protect your family’s health if you happen to bring these nasty bugs into your home or office?
Understanding Virus Survival on Surfaces
It is important to note that it is not as bad as it seems. Generally, viruses survive for longer on water-resistant, nonporous surfaces like stainless steel and plastics than on porous surfaces such as fabrics and carpets. Although viruses can survive on surfaces for several days, their ability to cause an infection diminishes rapidly, and they typically do not persist longer than 24 hours.
Effective Cleaning Strategies
Disinfect Hard Surfaces
Disinfectant sprays and cleaning products designed to kill viruses and bacteria on surfaces can be beneficial during the winter flu season. Always read the label and follow the directions on any cleaning product you choose to apply. These products will effectively destroy particles that have landed on surfaces, floors, and doorknobs. However, exercise caution, as some ingredients in these sprays may cause discolouration to carpets, rugs, and upholstery. They are not a complete solution for every surface.
Open Up – Let in Some Fresh Air
Spending significant time indoors during the winter months, with homes and offices sealed against the colder weather, can create the perfect breeding ground for viruses. Disperse airborne allergens and bacteria by opening your windows to allow fresh air to circulate.
Increase the Humidity
Low levels of humidity can contribute to a virus’s ability to survive. If you have access to a humidifier, this device can help you sleep better when congested, and the additional humidity can decrease the virus's survival in the air.
Utilise an Air Purifier
Those with aggravated allergies understand the benefits of an air purification system. Air purifiers can remove the smallest microbes from the air, reducing harmful airborne germs, including cold and flu viruses, dust, pollen, mould spores, pet dander, and smoke particles. If you have an air purifier stored away, winter is the perfect season to put it back into action.
Maintaining Cleanliness in Your Home
Add Some Heat to Your Laundry
If the worst happens and you catch a winter illness, you may need to confine yourself to a day of rest. Your bedding, pillowcases, and mattresses will require a thorough clean. Wash linens, towels, and clothes with household detergent in hot water, where possible, and tumble dry on a warm or hot setting. Check the labels on your pillows and cushions; you may be able to place these in the tumble dryer as well.
Cleaning your mattress will depend on its type. Refer to the label for any specific instructions, and consider engaging a professional mattress cleaning service once the illness is over. This can help protect you and your loved ones from a secondary round of illness.
Vacuum Regularly
Your carpets and flooring can harbour unwanted germs, particularly during the winter months. By vacuuming weekly, you can effectively reduce the level of bacteria, allergens, dust mites, and dirt that gets walked in over the colder months.
At the end of the winter season, if your family has been particularly affected by gastroenteritis, colds, and flu, it might be the perfect time for a professional carpet and mattress dry clean. Our team at Elite Maintenance is equipped to handle all your mattress, carpet, and upholstery needs, ensuring a thorough and compliant cleaning process.
Conclusion
While viruses and bacteria can be quite adaptable, your cleaning schedule can significantly minimise their ability to spread illness through your family. Keep in mind the above tips to maintain a healthy home this winter.
Our service approach is guided by recognised industry best practice, including IICRC guidelines, to support consistent processes, documentation, and quality outcomes.
For more information or to schedule a professional cleaning service, please call us on 131580.