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Creating a sanitary home is about more than just appearances; it’s about maintaining a safe and healthy environment for you and your family. While cleaning removes dirt and grime, sanitizing goes a step further by reducing the number of germs on surfaces to a safe level. This guide breaks down some house cleaning hygiene and what needs to be sanitized in your home and how often to ensure a truly clean living space. While most of us can’t maintain this routine weekly, it has a purpose when needed. This sanitizing routine is usually needed after you or someone else in your home has been sick.

House Cleaning Hygiene: The Ultimate Guide to a Sanitary Home

If you are new to the blog, welcome! I blog and make videos about cleaning, decluttering, and organizing. You can find my free printables to help you get organized in the drop down menu under the Printables category at the top of this page. Also, check out this post on 10 things people with clean homes do every day.

House Cleaning Hygiene: The Ultimate Guide to a Sanitary Home

First, we are going to grab a spray bottle and some rubbing alcohol to create simple but effective sanitizing spray.

Rubbing alcohol can sanitize surfaces effectively. It typically contains either isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol, both of which are excellent disinfectants when used correctly. Here’s what you need to know:

How Rubbing Alcohol Sanitizes:

  • Rubbing alcohol works by breaking down the proteins and dissolving the lipids of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, effectively killing them.
  • For it to be effective, the alcohol concentration should be between 60% and 90%, with 70% being ideal for general sanitization.

Best Practices for Using Rubbing Alcohol:

House Cleaning Hygiene: The Ultimate Guide to a Sanitary Home
  1. Clean the Surface First: Dirt and grime can reduce the effectiveness of rubbing alcohol. Wipe the surface with soapy water before applying it.
  2. Apply the Alcohol: Use a spray bottle or a clean cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol to coat the surface.
  3. Let It Sit: Allow the alcohol to sit on the surface for at least 30 seconds (preferably up to a minute) to effectively kill germs.
  4. Air-Dry: Let the surface air-dry rather than wiping it off to ensure maximum effectiveness.

When to Avoid Using Rubbing Alcohol:

  • Porous Surfaces: It can damage materials like wood or leather over time.
  • Delicate Electronics: Use sparingly and only on surfaces like screens with a small amount on a microfiber cloth.
  • Food Prep Areas: While it kills germs, it’s not food-safe. Use food-safe disinfectants for cutting boards and countertops.

Rubbing alcohol is a convenient and effective tool for sanitizing many household surfaces, provided it’s used carefully and in the right concentrations.

House Cleaning Hygiene: The Ultimate Guide to a Sanitary Home

Now, let’s cover some House Cleaning Hygiene tips. What should we be cleaning a sanitizing routinely?

House Cleaning Hygiene: The Ultimate Guide to a Sanitary Home

High-Touch Surfaces

Why They Matter: High-touch surfaces are hotspots for germs and bacteria since they’re frequently used by multiple people. These surfaces can spread illness if not cleaned regularly.

What to Sanitize:

House Cleaning Hygiene: The Ultimate Guide to a Sanitary Home
  • Doorknobs
  • Light switches
  • Remote controls
  • Faucet handles
  • Smartphones and tablets

Frequency:

  • Daily: During flu season or if someone in the household is sick.
  • Weekly: As part of a general cleaning routine.

How to Clean and Sanitize:
Use disinfecting wipes or sprays designed to kill germs. Apply the disinfectant, making sure to let the surface air-dry to ensure maximum germ-killing effectiveness. Avoid using overly wet wipes on electronics; instead, opt for screen-safe disinfecting products.

House Cleaning Hygiene: The Ultimate Guide to a Sanitary Home

Kitchen Hygiene

Why It’s Crucial: The kitchen is often the heart of the home but also a prime spot for bacteria, especially around food preparation areas.

What to Sanitize:

  • Countertops
  • Cutting boards
  • Sinks
  • Sponges
  • Appliances like the fridge and microwave

Frequency:

  • Countertops and sinks: After every use.
  • Sponges: Daily or every few days. Sanitize them by microwaving (when wet) for 1-2 minutes or boiling for 5 minutes.
  • Fridge: Deep clean monthly.

How to Clean and Sanitize:
Use food-safe disinfectants on surfaces where food is prepared. For cutting boards, wash thoroughly with hot soapy water and disinfect with a diluted bleach solution or white vinegar. Regularly wash and replace sponges to avoid cross-contamination.

Bathroom Cleanliness

Why It’s Essential: Bathrooms can harbor germs, mold, and mildew, making regular sanitization key to preventing health issues.

What to Sanitize:

  • Toilets
  • Showers and bathtubs
  • Sinks
  • Toothbrush holders

Frequency:

  • Toilets and sinks: At least weekly, or more often if heavily used.
  • Showers and bathtubs: Weekly deep cleaning.
  • Toothbrush holders: Weekly to prevent bacteria buildup.

How to Clean and Sanitize:
Use bathroom-specific cleaners for surfaces like toilets and sinks. For showers and tubs, scrub with a mildew remover or bleach solution. Don’t forget to disinfect the toothbrush holder by soaking it in hot soapy water or a disinfecting solution.

Bedroom and Living Areas

Why It’s Important: While these areas may not seem as germ-prone, they can still accumulate dust, allergens, and bacteria over time.

What to Sanitize:

  • Bedding
  • Curtains
  • Carpets and rugs
  • Electronics (e.g., TV remotes, gaming consoles)

Frequency:

  • Bedding: Wash weekly in hot water to kill dust mites and bacteria.
  • Carpets and rugs: Vacuum weekly; deep clean every 3-6 months.
  • Electronics: Wipe down weekly with screen-safe disinfectants.

How to Clean and Sanitize:
Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter for carpets and rugs to remove allergens. Wash curtains according to the care label or vacuum them if they’re not washable. For electronics, a microfiber cloth and a small amount of isopropyl alcohol solution work well.

Miscellaneous Items

Why They Shouldn’t Be Overlooked: Items like trash cans, pet areas, and kids’ toys often harbor hidden germs.

What to Sanitize:

  • Trash cans
  • Pet beds, toys, and food bowls
  • Kids’ toys and play areas

Frequency:

  • Trash cans: Wash and sanitize weekly.
  • Pet areas: Clean weekly or more often if heavily used.
  • Kids’ toys: Hard toys weekly; fabric toys monthly.

How to Clean and Sanitize:
For trash cans, scrub with soap and water, then disinfect with a bleach solution. Pet bowls should be washed daily, while toys can be cleaned with pet-safe disinfectants. For kids’ toys, use baby-safe cleaning products or run them through the dishwasher if they’re dishwasher-safe.

Cleaning Products and Tools

Why They Need Attention: Your cleaning tools can quickly become breeding grounds for bacteria if not maintained properly.

What to Sanitize:

  • Mops
  • Sponges
  • Cleaning cloths

How to Clean and Sanitize:

  • Mops: Detachable mop heads can often be machine-washed. For non-detachable heads, soak in a bleach solution after use.
  • Sponges: Sanitize daily by microwaving (wet) or boiling. Replace every 1-2 weeks.
  • Cleaning cloths: Wash in hot water after each use. Avoid cross-contamination by using different cloths for different areas.

Maintaining a sanitary home doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By knowing what needs attention and setting a regular cleaning schedule, you can keep your living space both clean and healthy. Start with high-touch areas, then move on to the kitchen, bathroom, and other parts of the house. A little daily effort can go a long way in creating a safe and sanitary environment for everyone in your home.