Winter season is coming and you’re worried about illnesses hitting your home in the most inopportune times. Studies show that viruses can spread more easily under chilly conditions; coupled with staying at home all day and breathing in re-circulated air, and your family’s health starts to take a dip.
At Paul’s Rubbish Removal, our rubbish removal experts have compiled a list of tips on how to illness-proof your home this winter.
1. Improve Air Quality
Get your HVAC filters and furnaces properly serviced a month or two before the cold season. You can get an air filtration system or an air purifier to lower potential allergens and improve air quality while keeping the windows closed. You can also add a few plants to brighten and naturally get more oxygen.
If you have family members who are particularly susceptible to bronchitis and sinus infections, getting a humidifier is wise. The good thing is that there are many options in the humidifier category, ranging from extensions of your heating or cooling system to standalone units that could hold standard water bottles. The extra moisture keeps off static and does wonders for your skin, hair and immune system.
2. Scrub The Bathrooms Clean
Give all your most-used bathrooms a thorough cleaning. Remember to use new cleaning brushes and mops so you won’t be spreading out the germs instead of eliminating it. A simple soap, lemon, baking soda and vinegar solution should do the job nicely.
Pay attention to the toilet, the sink and the floor. Empty out the laundry pile and remove damp towels. Use liners for your trashcan and change the bags frequently.
Last but not least, use a cleaner and apply a generous spray everytime you change the bag. Don’t leave used tissues sitting on coffee tables and table surfaces; dispose of them properly to lessen illnesses.
3. Wash Hands Frequently
It’s simple, easy, and effectively keeps colds and the flu away all winter. Nothing keeps the common cold and infections away better than washing your hands. You can teach your family members the proper way of washing; each session should take about 2 to 3 minutes long, or twice the length of the alphabet song.
4. Wipe Common Touchpoints
Touch points are the most common areas of the house where your hands frequently make contact with. This includes light switches, door knobs, cupboards, faucets, toilet handles, refrigerator doors and handles.
Take stock of all the touchpoints in your house and make sure to wipe it clean to prevent germs from spreading. A safe yet all-natural cleaning solution is a mixture of water and soap (with a dash of alcohol or tea tree oil); spray it on the surface then wipe it dry.
5. Clean Small Electronic Devices
Did you know that a typical mobile phone can carry more bacteria and germs than a public toilet? Without knowing, you could be passing around harmful viruses when you touch your device, then touch yours or your family’s mouth, nose or eyes subsequently.
Use a slightly damp cloth or towel and wipe small electronic items such as your keyboard, telephone, remote control, tablet and smartphone. Remember to use non-abrasive cleaning material such as microfiber cloths or soft tissue so you won’t scratch the surface.
