It is crucial to clean your apartment when you or a roommate have been sick to prevent others from catching the illness. While washing your hands is the most effective way to avoid spreading diseases, maintaining a clean and sanitized living space is equally important.
Some viruses can survive on surfaces for up to two weeks, which means that your apartment can still be contaminated even after you or a roommate have recovered. Therefore, it is necessary to clean and sanitize your apartment to prevent the spread of illness.
Use The Correct Cleaning Supplies
The proper disinfectant cleaners are required to clean your apartment correctly.
If you do not have access to a commercial disinfectant, you can make your own by mixing two tablespoons of chlorine bleach with four cups of water.
Remember to mix the solution fresh, as bleach loses its cleaning properties when exposed to oxygen for too long.
Use The Cleaning Supplies As Instructed
Always follow the stated instructions when using a store-bought disinfectant. For a homemade disinfecting solution, such as the bleach and water mixture, use a cloth to apply the solution to the areas you want to clean.
Allow the solution to sit for at least three minutes before rinsing the surface with water. An alternative method is to use a spray bottle to apply the solution.
Avoid using sponges, as bacteria can get lodged in the crevices. Instead, use disposable paper towels or a washable cotton rag.
Use a cotton swab dipped in the disinfectant solution for hard-to-reach areas, such as in-between the keys of a keyboard.
How To Clean An Apartment Bedroom
Adequate rest is crucial for recovering from an illness. As a result, your bed sheets and comforter may be contaminated with germs.
Wash all bedding and pillowcases on a “sanitize” cycle in your washing machine, and wear gloves when changing the bedding and doing laundry to avoid contact with germs. Additionally, all clothing, including the laundry hamper, should be disinfected.
Other high-touched areas in the bedroom, such as doorknobs, light switches, and phone chargers, should also be disinfected.
How To Clean An Apartment Bathroom
Bathrooms are generally known for being one of the dirtiest rooms in an apartment, and an illness can make it even dirtier. To combat this, it is important to frequently use a disinfectant on surfaces such as the entire toilet, floor near the toilet, sink and shower handles, light switches, doorknobs, toiletries, and trash cans.
Set aside a designated hand towel for the sick person or switch to using paper towels until the illness has passed to prevent the spreading of the germs. Throw away the toothbrush and disinfect the toothbrush holder once the sickness has passed.
How To Clean The Living Areas of An Apartment
Germs can spread throughout the apartment and are not limited to certain rooms. Therefore, all living areas must be cleaned.
If you have furniture covers, they must be washed. If you don’t, you can use a disinfecting spray (like Lysol) on fabric items (couches or pillows). Frequently disinfect high-touched areas in communal spaces, such as remotes, doorknobs, light switches, and games or toys.
How To Clean An Apartment Kitchen
Although sick individuals may not be cooking for others, it is still vital to thoroughly disinfect the kitchen. All dishes should be washed in the dishwasher in a “sanitize” setting.
If washing dishes by hand, make a disinfecting solution using one-half cup of bleach and one gallon of hot water. Quickly dip the dishes in the solution, and wear gloves to avoid contact with the bleach.
All hard surfaces such as countertops, cabinet handles, stove knobs, refrigerator handles, light switches, and doorknobs should also be wiped down with the disinfecting solution.
How To Clean A Car After Being Sick
Most people forget about cleaning their vehicles after they disinfect their apartments. However, if you or a roommate have been sick and used the car, germs are most likely present in the vehicle.
Using a disinfectant for the steering wheel, radio, turn signals, controls, garage door openers, door handles, and keys are essential. If a young child uses a car seat, it is crucial to wash the cover and wipe down all hard surfaces.
Additionally, a disinfecting spray can be used to clean fabric seats and the headliner.
Learn more apartment living and cleaning tips in our blog!
