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With flu season approaching, it’s important to take additional precautions to keep you and your family safe while at home. The flu virus can spread easily and live on surfaces and other items throughout a home for prolonged periods, and finding ways to eradicate the virus as much as possible from your premises will help create a healthier environment for everyone. If you want to make your home a fortress against the flu virus this flu season, try following these four tips.
Wipe Down Everything
All tables and countertops should be wiped down thoroughly as often as possible to kill any flu viruses that may be living on them. It’s also important to wipe down keyboards, doorknobs, phones and other objects that you use around your home to prevent spreading the virus.
Some disinfecting wipes and other cleaners are made with chemical components that specifically target and kill the flu bug.
Mixing a half cup of bleach into a gallon of water to make your own cleaning solution can also work well in combatting the virus, though you should be careful about what surfaces you use this mixture on, as bleach is a very harsh chemical that may irritate the skin if too much residue is left.
More natural options can be made with tea-tree and lemon essential oils, as both are natural cleansers.
Avoid Reusing Sponges and Loofahs
Used sponges and loofahs are the perfect breeding grounds for germs and viruses, and reusing these items can spread the flu virus. While a loofah can typically last for up to a month, you may want to stick to washcloths during flu season to avoid leaving out soaking material for the flu virus to rest in.
Sponges should also be swapped out for dish scrubbing brushes, as these are easier to keep dry and clean. After every use, simply rinse out the bristles and hang the brush on a hook to dry.
However, even these dish brushes should be replaced once every three months to avoid the buildup of soap-resistant bacteria, and of course, the flu virus.
Regulate Indoor Air Quality
Your thermostat should be set to regulate the air inside your home more effectively. Even though colder temperatures can make catching the flu easier, low humidity is of greater concern.
Low humidity causes the air to become drier, which can facilitate the spread of the flu virus and other germs.
If your current HVAC system isn’t doing its job in regulating your air quality effectively, a company in your area that provides heating and ac installation services can put in a new system that may give you better results.
Keep Up with Laundry
Falling behind on your laundry and letting dirty clothes and linens sit could make it easier for the flu virus to multiply and cause further havoc. Clothes that are safe to wash in hot water should be cleaned in water that’s between 100 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit with a detergent that’s strong enough to kill the bug.
Bed linens and towels can also have the flu virus living on them and should be laundered regularly as well. Sending your clothes through the dryer at higher temperatures can also kill the flu virus.
However, the most important thing to keep the virus from spreading is to keep clean clothes put away and to prevent dirty clothes from building up on the floor.
Protecting yourself and your family against the flu can start at home. By making yourself aware of how the flu virus can spread throughout your home and taking measures to prevent the problem, you’ll make your living space a much safer place for all occupants.
