How to Sanitize Your Home After Illness: A Practical Guide

By Attique Ur Rehman December 6, 2025

When someone in the home has been sick, it’s normal to worry about germs spreading to everyone else. Coughs, sneezes, stomach bugs and fevers can leave behind germs on surfaces, fabrics and shared items long after the person starts to feel better.

The goal isn’t to make your home “sterile”, but to reduce germs to a safer level so the chances of re-infection or spread are much lower. In this guide, you’ll learn how to sanitize your home after illness in a calm, practical way—without overcomplicating things.

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Cleaning vs Sanitising: What’s the Difference?

Understanding the difference helps you do the right task at the right time:

Cleaning removes dirt, dust and some germs from surfaces using soap/detergent and water.
Sanitising/Disinfecting uses chemicals (or heat) to reduce or kill germs on surfaces after cleaning.

For best results after illness:

Clean first to remove visible dirt.
Then disinfect the most frequently touched and contaminated areas.

Step 1: Ventilate and Prepare Safely

Before you start sanitising:

Open windows and doors where possible to improve airflow.
Wear disposable or washable gloves, especially if you’re handling tissues, bedding or bathroom surfaces.
If available, you may choose to wear a mask while dealing with areas exposed to coughing, sneezing or vomit.
Keep children and pets away from freshly disinfected, still-wet surfaces.

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Step 2: Focus on High-Touch Surfaces

These areas are the main highways for germs:

Door handles and knobs
Light switches
Remote controls and game controllers
Phone screens and tablets
Fridge, oven and microwave handles
Taps and toilet flush buttons
Bedside tables and railings
Keyboard, mouse and desk surfaces

How to Clean and Disinfect High-Touch Areas

Clean first
- Wipe with a cloth and warm soapy water to remove dirt, fingerprints and grease.
Disinfect
- Use a household disinfectant spray or wipes according to the product label.
- Make sure the surface stays visibly wet for the recommended contact time on the label (often a few minutes).
Let it air dry
- Where possible, allow the surface to air dry instead of wiping it off straight away—this gives the product time to work properly.

Step 3: Bathrooms – Priority Area for Sanitising

Bathrooms can harbour germs from coughing, sneezing and stomach-related illnesses.

Toilet

Clean the toilet bowl with a toilet cleaner and brush.
Disinfect:
- Seat and lid
- Flush button or handle
- Exterior surfaces and base of the toilet

Sinks and Benchtops

Clean with a bathroom cleaner or soapy water.
Disinfect taps, handles, basin and surrounding surfaces.

Showers and Bath

For illnesses involving vomiting or diarrhoea, disinfect any areas that may have come into contact with bodily fluids.
Rinse, clean, then apply disinfectant and allow to sit for the recommended time.

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Step 4: Kitchen – Keeping Food Areas Safe

Kitchens are central to everyday life, so giving this area attention is important.

Benchtops and work surfaces: Clean then disinfect, especially areas where the sick person prepared or ate food.
Appliance handles: Fridge, freezer, microwave, kettle, oven and cupboard handles are all high-touch spots.
Dining table and chairs: Wipe down and disinfect backs and arms where people touch most.

Avoid spraying disinfectant directly onto food or into open food containers. Always let surfaces dry before preparing food again.

Step 5: Bedding, Towels and Soft Furnishings

Fabrics can hold onto germs, sweat and body fluids.

Bedding

Wash pillowcases, sheets, duvet covers and mattress protectors used by the sick person in warm or hot water (according to the care label).
If possible, wash bedding separately from other household laundry.
Dry items completely—sunlight and heat are helpful extras.

Towels and Face Cloths

Launder bath towels, hand towels and face washers used during the illness.
Replace bathroom and kitchen hand towels with fresh ones once the sick person is feeling better.

Cushions, Blankets and Soft Furniture

Wash removable covers according to care instructions.
For items that cannot be washed:
- Vacuum thoroughly using an upholstery attachment.
- Consider using a fabric-safe disinfectant spray or steam cleaning if available.

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Step 6: Floors and Carpets

Germs can settle on floors through droplets, tissues and general movement.

Hard Floors (Tiles, Vinyl, Laminate)

Sweep or vacuum to remove dust and debris.
Mop with a suitable floor cleaner.
In areas where bodily fluids may have been present (for example, if someone was sick on the floor), clean first, then disinfect with a product suitable for that floor type.

Carpets and Rugs

Vacuum slowly to remove dust and dried particles.
Spot clean any visibly soiled areas following product instructions.
For severe incidents (e.g. vomiting on carpet), you may want to use a professional service that offers biohazard-safe cleaning.

Step 7: Handling Tissues, Rubbish and Disposable Items

Use a lined bin for used tissues, wipes and disposable masks.
Tie the bag securely before putting it in your outdoor bin.
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling rubbish, even if you wore gloves.

Place bins in convenient locations (bedside, bathroom, living room) while someone is sick to encourage proper tissue disposal.

Step 8: Clean the Air and Improve Ventilation

While surface cleaning matters, the air quality in your home also plays a role in comfort and recovery.

Open windows when weather allows to bring in fresh air.
Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moist, stale air.
If you have one, run an air purifier with a suitable filter in high-use rooms like the bedroom or living area.
Avoid heavy scented sprays or aerosols that might irritate coughs or sensitive lungs.

Step 9: Personal Hygiene and Handwashing

Home sanitising only works if people also practise good hygiene.

Wash hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially:
- After coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
- After using the toilet
- Before preparing or eating food
Keep a small pump bottle of hand sanitiser in shared areas as a backup when washing isn’t immediately possible.
Encourage the “catch it, bin it, wash hands” habit for tissues.

Step 10: When to Consider Professional Sanitising

There are times when hiring professionals can give added reassurance:

Serious or highly contagious illnesses in the household
Large homes or multi-level properties that are hard to manage alone
Properties with elderly people, babies or those with weakened immune systems
Workplaces, rental properties or commercial spaces requiring documented cleaning

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Quick Recap: How to Sanitize Your Home After Illness

Ventilate rooms and protect yourself with gloves (and a mask if you wish).
Clean then disinfect high-touch surfaces like handles, switches and remotes.
Give bathrooms and kitchens extra attention, especially toilets and taps.
Wash bedding, towels and soft furnishings used by the sick person.
Clean and disinfect floors, paying special attention to any soiled areas.
Handle tissues and rubbish carefully and wash your hands afterwards.
Improve air quality with fresh air and, if available, air purifiers.
Consider professional help for severe cases, large properties or vulnerable household members.

With a calm, step-by-step approach, you can make your home feel fresh, safe and comfortable again after illness.