Cleaning Tips that Prevent Colds

Cleaning Tips That Prevent Colds
Kick germs to the curb this cold and flu season with these simple cleaning strategies

Christine Coppa ON Dec 6, 2010 at 1:11PM
Launder Communal Blankets and Pillows

Cold winter days mean lots of family togetherness on the couch, snacking and watching movies. With the heat turned up and various bodies sharing blankets, pillows and cushions, remember to clean that cozy spot. "Wash shared blankets twice a month using your washer's hot cycle. Wash pillowcases at least biweekly, also in the hot cycle," suggests Julie Edelman, author of The Ultimate Accidental Housewife.

You can't throw the whole couch in the wash (bummer!), so clean it with a HEPA-filter vacuum; this type of filter works by trapping even the smallest air particles. The best part is that a HEPA filter doesn't blow soiled air from vents; only clean air comes out. This will keep dust and mites at bay.

Disinfect Your Cell Phone

Did you know that your cell phone is dirtier than a toilet seat or the soles of your shoes? Even worse, "Germs love the heat generated by your cell phone and multiply when combined with the moisture from your breath," says Edelman. To combat this, wipe your phone with an antibacterial wipe that contains alcohol and benzethonium chloride—a combination that is effective against killing staph and salmonella. Wipe down TV remotes, too.

Clean the Computer Keyboard

The keyboard of your family's computer—where you check email and your children play games—is another germ hot spot. Here's Edelman's tip for cleaning it properly: First, power down the computer and unplug the keyboard. Then stand over the garbage can or sink and gently smack the keyboard's back (this will loosen up dirt, crumbs and other debris that have fallen between the keys). Use a blow-dryer on cool to gently blow away remaining debris from the keyboard. Then grab an antibacterial wipe that is damp (not dripping) and gently wipe down computer's surfaces to kill germs.

Tip: Use a Q-tip dampened with rubbing alcohol to get at the gunk between the keys and the crevices. Because alcohol is 70 percent isopropanol (a disinfectant) and 30 percent water, it combats germs in a safe, nonabrasive way.

Wash Those Toys

Plastic toys—like trucks, dolls, cars and blocks—need to be cleaned weekly to prevent the spread of germs. Fill the kitchen sink or a big basin with two parts hot water and one part white vinegar (which has acetic properties that not only work as an antiseptic, but also kill germs). "Let the toys soak for 15 minutes," says Edelman. "Then, rinse with hot water and towel dry."

And don't be fooled by bath toys—just because your kid is getting clean in the tub doesn't mean the stacking cups, ducks and boats are squeaky clean, too! Edelman suggests investing in a net bag that can hang on a shower rack. After bath time, quickly rinse all of the toys with hot water and throw them into the net to air dry. If you notice that rubber toys are filled with trapped water, it's time to toss 'em, because they're also likely filled with mold.

Use Disinfectant Wipes

Disinfectant wipes are your best friend at this time of year. "I like to leave containers of disinfectant wipes around the house, so when I'm chatting on the phone, I can just grab and wipe," says Edelman. "Doorknobs, the refrigerator handle, light switches and toilet flushers are hot zones, meaning they are highly trafficked—wipe them down a couple of times per week with little or no effort. If people in your home are sick, wipe them down daily." Look for wipes, like these from Seventh Generation, that are effective against the influenza A virus.

Steam Clean the Floors

The floor in your entryway is likely crawling with germs because it's highly trafficked. "Surfaces like tile and hardwood floors are breeding grounds for infections, particularly in the winter, when people are cooped indoors with the heat pumped high,"  notes Andrew Sagan, M.D., the medical director of pediatric services at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago. Send these germs packing by steam cleaning with a product like the Shark Vac-Then-Steam. When steam is forced onto a surface, the very small vapor molecules penetrate pores in the surface. The vapor molecules quickly expand to force out and kill bacteria. "Steam is proven to eliminate 99 percent of germs and bacteria—including the virus that causes H1N1," says Dr. Sagan.

Scrub Sippy Cups

Germs multiply and move quickly, especially on items that are in regular contact with your child's hot mouth. Some sippy cups, like the ones with straws, come in parts and need to be disassembled and sanitized after each use to prevent the spread of germs. "Rinse sippy cups, pacifiers and bottles with hot water in the sink immediately after use, then wash in the dishwasher using the high-heat cycle and allow items to air dry," says Edelman. "And make sure your kids aren't sharing their pacifiers and cups."

Clean Heat and AC Vents

Vents that cool and heat the home need extra attention during cold and flu season. The debris inside may look like plain old dust, but it's really harboring things like pet hair, allergens and germs—and therefore blowing this into the open air when the heat is functioning. The solution: Remove vent covers and vacuum inside ducts with a HEPA filter.

Launder Shared Bathroom Towels

The pretty hand towel in the bathroom remains there for days at a time. But it should be washed in the hot cycle daily to prevent colds. (Germs can live for several hours on cloth towels.) If that's too much for you, consider using paper towels or bathroom napkins for hand washing.

MY THOUGHTS

too much effort?  not if you love your kids.  or yourself.  common colds can still bring a lot of discomfort. and you don't want to spend on medicine what you could spend for something else.  i never really thought of disinfecting my cell phone or my keyboard.  now i know better.