11 Ways to Flu-Proof Your Home

Keep your household healthy during flu season by incorporating these tips these best practices at home.

By Donna Boyle Schwartz | Updated Nov 20, 2020 01:23 AM

'Tis the Season

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Prepare your home for flu season

Is there anything worse than the sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, and overall misery of the flu? Fortunately, there are some smart steps you can take now to prevent nasty viruses from settling into your home. Read on to discover how to stop germs at your doorstep.

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Sanitize "Touchy" Surfaces

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Clean flu viruses off hard surfaces

Know the facts: Flu viruses can live for two to eight hours on hard surfaces. So it's no surprise that many people get infected by touching a germy household doorknob, light switch, or remote control. Disinfect these surfaces frequently, using sanitizing antiviral wipes. If you don’t have wipes on hand, spray those germ-catchers with white vinegar, and then dry with paper towels.


Related: 13 Things to Clean In Your Home After You've Been Sick

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Wipe Your Feet

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Wash shoes during flu season

Flu viruses and bacteria can hang out in mud, dirt, and debris, and once that muck gets stuck to your shoes, those germs can thrive in the treads. Keep a clean doormat outside every entrance to your home, and take off your shoes as soon as you enter the house. Go the extra mile and wash the soles of your shoes regularly with hot, soapy water.


Related: 7 Reasons to Be a No-Shoes House

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Freshen the Phone

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Clean germs off of phones

Another hidden hotbed of germ activity is one you frequently hold to your face—the phone. If a flu sufferer has touched, sneezed, or coughed on your phone, the next person to pick up the receiver could become infected. That's just one reason why it is important to clean your phones frequently with antiviral wipes or sprays. Make it a habit to wipe off the phone every time you answer or hang up.


Related: The Dirty Dozen: 12 Places You Probably Never Clean But Definitely Should

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Detox Your Desk

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Disinfect household surfaces

Everyday surfaces like countertops, desks, and tabletops are hubs of activity, and as a result they are commonly contaminated with bacteria and viruses. Indeed, some health experts say that your home desk can contain up to 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat! To prevent those bad bugs from getting transferred to your hands, wipe down household surfaces often and be particularly conscientious about disinfecting any surfaces where food is prepped or served.


Related: 10 Times You Should Never Use a Clorox Wipe

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Decontaminate the Kitchen

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Cleaning germs in the kitchen

Stovetops, cutting boards, sinks, faucets, dishcloths, and sponges are all breeding grounds for germs. Wipe down kitchen surfaces daily, and run cutting boards and sponges through a sanitizing cycle on the dishwasher to eliminate contamination. Alternatively, you can clean sponges in the microwave—one minute on high should do the trick. Replace used kitchen towels and dishcloths with fresh ones daily.

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Stop Dragging Germs Around

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Keeping germs out of your cleaning supplies

Dust rags, mops and other cleaning tools may just be spreading germs around your house instead of eliminating them. If you don't sanitize and disinfect your mops and other cleaning tools between uses, you may be giving germs and viruses a free ride throughout your home. Wash all cleaning gear in hot, soapy water after use; a drop or two of bleach will do for disinfecting. You may also want to switch to disposable cleaning cloths during the height of flu season.


Related: 8 Cleaning Mistakes Everyone Makes

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Launder Your Linens

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How often to wash your linens

Your washer and dryer can be powerful allies in the war on germs. Wash bed linens, towels, and rugs frequently in hot water to keep bacteria at bay. If you’re in the market for new appliances, maximize the cleaning power of your laundry room arsenal by looking for models whose ability to sanitize clothing has been certified by NSF International.


Related: 11 Things You Didn't Know You Can Clean In Your Washing Machine

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Consider Copper

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Copper is antibacterial

If you are looking to invest in a sink or countertop that is both beautiful and antibacterial, consider copper. Not only does copper create a warm ambience, but it also kills bacteria. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that copper and copper alloys, including brass and bronze, are proven bacteria busters, and research suggests that copper may be effective against viruses as well.


Related: 9 Ways to Make Your Old Bathroom New Again

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Set a Trap

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Air filtration system to trap germs

Whole-home air filtration can help reduce the spread of bacteria, pollen, mold spores, and any viruses that may be attached to a larger host. Modern air purifiers are designed to remove up to 99 percent of airborne particles and can help the whole family breathe easier. For an added punch of purification, consider installing an ultraviolet (UV) component to your system.


Related: 15 Remarkably Easy Ways to Create a Dust-Free Home

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Humidify Your Home

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Household humidity in winter

The moisture that a cold- or warm-mist humidifier adds to the air can help deter the spread of cold and flu viruses. Air that is in a healthy humidity range—that is, 40 to 50 percent relative humidity year-round (slightly lower in colder months)—also creates a more comfortable home environment and helps prevent your nasal passages from drying out.


Related: 7 Reasons Every Home Needs a Humidifier

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Grab a Tissue

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Keep tissue boxes around the house

Consider stocking tissue boxes in bulk (or setting up a monthly subscription on Amazon so that you never run too low), and placing them strategically throughout the home so that you always have one close at hand. A single sneeze can spray cold and flu germs up to six feet, so it is important to achoo into a tissue, and then throw it away. If a tissue isn’t readily available, sneeze into the crook of your elbow.

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Stay Healthy!

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how to flu proof your home

Take every necessary precaution you can to keep the flu out of your house. 

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