Caring for Someone Sick at Home
How to Clean the Sick Room
This website is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated. For updated information on the 2011-2012 flu season, see the CDC Seasonal Flu website.
December 5, 2009, 6:00 AM ET
You’ll want to clean the sick room each day.
Follow these tips:
Cleaning Hard Surfaces
- Clean surfaces that may have flu germs on them. These may include doorknobs, bedside tables, bathroom sinks, toilets, counters, phones, and toys.
- Clean these hard surfaces by using water and dish soap. Or use common household cleaners that kill germs.
Cleaning Bed Linens and Laundry
- Wash bed sheets and towels with normal laundry soap and tumble dry on a hot dryer setting. Hold all dirty laundry away from your face and body. Wash your hands right after touching dirty laundry.
- It’s OK to wash the sick person’s bedding or clothes with other people’s laundry.
Cleaning Dishes
- Wash the sick person’s dishes with normal dish soap or place in the dishwasher.
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