Whether you have several young children or a smaller family unit, germs can accumulate quickly on shared surfaces in your home. With the cold and flu season fast approaching, reducing germs in the house is likely to be at the top of your housekeeping priorities. Here's a closer look at how to minimize these illness-causing particles for a healthy and happy holiday season. 

How to Reduce Germs in Your Home

1. Be Mindful of Cross Contamination 

Every space in the house should have its own designated rags or sponges for housekeeping. When you begin cleaning a new space, use a clean and sanitized rag, sponge, or mop. Dump dirty mop water into the toilet or shower drain instead of the kitchen sink to prevent germs from spreading while preparing meals or washing dishes. 

If a family member gets sick, designate a special room or space in the home that others can avoid. While they recover, use paper towels to clean. This way, any germs go right into the trash instead of spreading to other surfaces in the home. 

2. Involve the Family 

A healthy home is a group effort. Encourage your kids to wash their hands properly with warm soapy water for at least twenty seconds—as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice. 

Placing hand sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol around the home will make it easy for people to use when needed. Additionally, you should have your children practice covering their mouth with the inner fold of their elbow when coughing and sneezing.

3. Check Labels

Most cleaning product labels will either use the term "sanitize" or "disinfect," and it's important to know the differences between the two. A sanitizing product kills 99% of targeted germs within 30 seconds, while a disinfectant takes 10 minutes, creating a window for germs to be transferred. 

Also, check labels to ensure that you're using nontoxic cleaners, which contain natural agents like thyme or citrus. These products can protect your little ones from putting potentially harmful chemicals in their mouths. Nontoxic cleaners are ideal for floors your baby crawls on, toys, and high chairs.

If you need help staying on top of housekeeping tasks, including disinfecting the surfaces in your home, turn to Maid Brigade of Frederick. This Maryland-based professional cleaning service can do everything from tidying up a room to tackling nooks and crannies you may not always be able to reach. This team of experts uses only green cleaning products and methods to effectively sanitize your home and reduce the risk of spreading germs. Call (301) 698-9204 to schedule a cleaning, or visit them online to request a quote.