It’s back to school season and that always brings me mixed emotions. I’m sad to send the kids off, but happy to see their joy at reuniting with the friends they haven’t seen all summer. As nice as all that togetherness is, it may be spreading more than just joy; it may be spreading germs. That Petri dish known as the classroom is prime breeding ground for the germs that lead to coughs, colds, and worse … The dreaded flu.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaccines are the single best way to combat flu, and of course, frequent hand washing is essential, but I have found that a little extra attention to house cleaning goes a long way in keeping flu at bay or at least keeping it contained if it hits your household.
Flu viruses can survive on hard surfaces for up to 8 hours, but they’re pretty fragile, says the CDC, so there’s no need to get obsessive. Standard cleaning can kill the nasty buggers. Simply choose a product labeled effective against “Influenza A virus,” such as Lysol, Clorox or Pine-Sol. Then follow product directions when wiping down susceptible surfaces like tables, bathrooms, counters, and toys. And don’t forget those items we’re handling all day: Phones, faucets, remote controls, game controllers, and your computer keyboard and mouse. This simple step is so effective that special disinfecting processes or chemicals are not needed. In fact, they can be too harsh and irritating, and the CDC advises against them.
If you’re too worn out to do a thorough house cleaning after taking care of your own little flu factory, call us! A professional house cleaning service like Maria’s PRO Cleaners can do more than just clean. We can bring the peace of mind that comes with knowing your house is clean and healthy.
For more information, visit the CDC page on Preventing Flu
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