Recovering from an illness is such a relief, but unfortunately, that’s not the end of the journey. Germs and bacteria can stick around in your home, creating risks for reinfection or passing the sickness to others. Knowing how to get sickness out of your house is essential to protecting your loved ones. To truly move forward, you need to clean and disinfect your living space thoroughly.  

In this guide, our professional cleaners will break down exactly how to clean after illness, so your home feels safe, fresh, and germ-free again. From airing out the house to sanitizing soft furniture like couches, we’ve got all the essential steps covered. And if the task feels like too much, we’ll also show you how to get professional help.  

Please stay with us until the end!

Why It’s Important to Clean After Illness?

After an illness, bacteria, and viruses can survive on surfaces for days or even longer. Skipping a thorough cleaning means those germs can linger and potentially get someone else sick or even reinfect you. Proper house cleaning is about more than just appearance; it’s an essential step in maintaining your family’s health.

Disinfecting isn’t complicated, but it does require attention to detail. This is especially true if the illness involves the flu or a similar highly contagious condition. You don’t need to panic, just focus on cleaning one area at a time, or bring in professional cleaning services if it feels overwhelming.

Step 1: Gather the Right Supplies

Having the right tools makes the process smoother and more effective. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Disinfectant sprays, wipes, or solutions
  • Disposable gloves
  • Microfiber cloths for wiping surfaces
  • A vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
  • A mop and a bucket
  • Laundry detergent (preferably antibacterial)
  • Optional: an air purifier

If this list feels intimidating, that’s okay. You can always contact cleaning services or a commercial cleaning company. They can bring their own supplies and handle the job for you.

Step 2: Start with High-Touch Surfaces

Focus on areas where germs are most likely to spread. These “high-touch” surfaces include:

  • Doorknobs
  • Light switches
  • Remote controls
  • Countertops
  • Faucets

Here’s how to clean them:

  • Put on disposable gloves.
  • Use a disinfectant to wipe down the surface thoroughly.
  • Let the solution sit for the recommended amount of time (check the label).
  • Wipe dry with a clean microfiber cloth.

Don’t forget electronics like phones and keyboards. These can be cleaned with alcohol wipes to avoid damaging them.

Step 3: Air Out Your Home

One of the easiest steps is also one of the most effective: airing out the house when sick or after recovery. 

Open windows to allow fresh air in and stale, germ-laden air out. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, use an air purifier with a HEPA filter to help improve indoor air quality.

Step 4: Clean Soft Surfaces Like Couches

Soft surfaces can harbor germs for longer than you might think. If you’re wondering how to disinfect a couch after the flu, here’s a simple process:

  • Vacuum thoroughly to remove dust and debris.
  • Use a fabric-safe disinfectant spray to sanitize the material.
  • Let it air dry completely before use.

For delicate or expensive fabrics, it might be worth hiring commercial cleaners to ensure the job is done right without causing damage.

Step 5: Wash Bedding, Towels, and Clothes

Germs love fabrics, so it’s crucial to wash all bedding, towels, and clothes worn during the illness.

  • Use the hottest water the fabric allows.
  • Add a strong detergent. (preferably antibacterial)
  • Dry items on high heat to kill any remaining pathogens.

This step is essential for breaking the cycle of contamination and ensuring your home is fully refreshed.

Step 6: Disinfect the Bathroom

Bathrooms often see the most germ exposure during illness, so they require extra attention. Focus on cleaning:

  • Toilets and flush handles.
  • Faucets and sink basins.
  • Shower or tub surfaces.
  • Light switches and handles.

Use a strong disinfectant or a diluted bleach solution, and don’t forget to replace toothbrushes.

Step 7: Clean Floors and Carpets

Floors can trap germs, even if they don’t look dirty. Here’s what to do:

  • Vacuum carpets and rugs, ideally with a HEPA filter vacuum.
  • Mop hard floors with a disinfectant solution to kill bacteria and viruses.
  • This step helps ensure your home is clean from the ground up.

Step 8: Sanitize the Kitchen

The kitchen is another critical area, especially if meals are prepared during the illness. 

  • Wipe down countertops, cabinet handles, and appliances like refrigerators and microwaves. 
  • Replace sponges and dishcloths, as these are common germ carriers.

Step 9: Manage Trash Disposal

  • Dispose of used tissues, gloves, and other waste in a sealed trash bag. 
  • Immediately disinfect the trash can to prevent germs from spreading.

Step 10: Maintain the Cleanliness

Once your home is clean, keep up with a few simple habits to maintain it:

  • Regularly wipe down high-touch surfaces.
  • Keep windows open when possible to air out the house.
  • Sanitize shared spaces weekly.

If this routine feels like too much, consider bringing in house cleaning services or a commercial cleaning company to help you maintain your home’s health.

Why Choose Professional Cleaning Services?

Cleaning after an illness can be overwhelming, and even with the best intentions, you might miss areas that need attention. Professional cleaning services or commercial cleaners take the guesswork out of the process. Commercial cleaning services are ready to assist to help you recover easily and avoid getting sick again.

From disinfecting surfaces to refreshing soft furniture, they’ll ensure your home is germ-free and comfortable.

Restore Your Home with Our Professional Cleaning Services

Interworld cleaning won’t let germs stick around after an illness. We get your home back to a safe, clean state with the help of our professional cleaning services. Whether it’s wiping down high-touch surfaces, disinfecting couches, or handling routine house cleaning services, our experts from Interworld commercial cleaning company can do it all.

If you’re in Baltimore get in touch with our commercial cleaning services in Baltimore so we can restore your home quickly and efficiently.

Schedule a cleaning quote today and enjoy a fresh, healthy space where you can focus on your health and relaxation!

Frequently Asked Questions

After an illness, germs and bacteria can linger on surfaces for days, increasing the risk of reinfection or spreading sickness to others. Cleaning and disinfecting your home thoroughly ensures a safe and healthy living environment.

Yes, commercial cleaners are trained to sanitize soft furniture safely and effectively. They use fabric-safe disinfectants and advanced cleaning methods to remove germs without damaging the material.

If the cleaning feels overwhelming or you’re unsure about tackling specific tasks, a commercial cleaning company can step in. They have the expertise to thoroughly disinfect all areas, ensuring no germ-prone spots are missed.

Our commercial cleaners provide thorough deep cleaning and disinfecting services to eliminate germs and bacteria from your home. Using professional-grade supplies and proven techniques, we sanitize high-touch surfaces, soft furniture, and other critical areas to create a safe and healthy environment for you and your loved ones.