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Disinfect Your Home After An Illness To Protect Your Family
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7. Children’s Toys
Once your child is on the road to recovery, take some time to wash their toys. Kids like to cling to their stuffed toys or dolls when they are sick, but germs love to hide in these places as well. Most stuffed toys can be put in a pillowcase and thrown right in the washing machine. You might want to dry them outside in the sunshine. Other hard plastic toys can be washed in the dishwasher. If you aren’t certain, you can soak the toys in oxygenated bleach for a few hours, then wash by hand and dry outdoors in the sunlight to kill germs.
8. Open the Windows
If the weather permits, open windows and doors to allow fresh air to naturally prevent infections. When windows are constantly closed, germs and viruses simply multiply since they have no competition, so to speak, from other types of bacteria. Opening the windows and letting in fresh air allows good types of bacteria to flow into rooms and dilute pathogens and viruses that cause illness. Sound strange? This is why hospitals are notorious for passing disease as their windows do not usually open. This overly-sterile setting also kills good bacteria. If it is very cold outside, you might only want to open them for a few minutes at a time; however, if the weather is even halfway decent, open the windows and let the good bacteria in!
READ ALSO: Top 15 Houseplants That Clean The Air And Relieve Stress
9. Empty and Wash Trash Cans
When you are sick, trash cans quickly fill with tissues, paper towels, food, and other contaminants. Trash cans, especially if they have lids, can become nice, warm, protected breeding grounds for germs. Empty trash cans frequently, and wash your hands afterwards. Once the sick person appears to be recovered, wash all trash cans, even if you usually keep them covered with plastic bags. This will ensure no bacteria are hiding in some crevice.
Don’t forget the usual cleaning such as vacuuming, mopping floors, and dusting furniture. Whew! It certainly is a great deal of work, but it will be so worth it.
References:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
