A quick 20-minute plan
- Air out the rooms (a draft for 5–10 minutes).
- Replace towels (bathroom + kitchen).
- Wash bed linen (duvet cover, sheet, pyjamas).
- Wipe high-touch surfaces (handles, switches, phone, remotes).
- Quick bathroom refresh (taps, toilet, sink).
When disinfection after illness makes sense (and when regular cleaning is enough)
Disinfection is most useful where there are lots of people and lots of touchpoints. You don’t need to treat the whole home with strong chemicals — focus on the essentials.
- It’s worth adding disinfection if multiple people live at home, you have small children, a senior, or someone with a weakened immune system.
- Regular cleaning is enough once everyone feels well and you just want to “reset the home” (ventilation + textiles + high-touch surfaces).
- The biggest impact comes from door handles, switches, phones, and the bathroom/WC — these get touched the most.
How often to disinfect after illness
A short, practical routine works best: for 1–2 days after symptoms are gone, do a quick round (high-touch surfaces + bathroom). After that, regular cleaning and fresh air are usually enough.
If someone in the household is still ill, focus mainly on high-touch surfaces — even daily. It’s quick and has the biggest effect.
High-touch surfaces: maximum effect in minimum time
Microorganisms most often linger on places we touch again and again. Focus especially on:
- door handles and grips (including the fridge)
- light switches
- mobile phones
- remotes, keyboards, mouse
- taps and soap dispensers
- toilet seat and flush button
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Domestos Power Fresh Total Hygiene disinfectant toilet gel Ocean Fresh 700 ml
Sanytol disinfection 500ml Universal cleaner Grep
Textiles and the bedroom: bedding matters most
After illness, it helps a lot to change and wash everything that was “front line”:
- duvet cover and sheet
- pyjamas / loungewear you wore while resting
- a blanket if it was used often
Ideally wash at 60 °C (if the material allows). If 60 °C isn’t possible, consider a hygiene additive / laundry disinfectant (based on fabric type).
After cleaning: fresh air and a pleasant scent
Once you’ve aired the rooms and done a quick clean, one light fragrance can make the home feel fresher and cosier. It works well in the hallway, bathroom, or living room (go easy — no need to overdo it).
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Sanytol against mites 300 ml
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Air Wick FreshMatic Fresh Breeze air freshener automatic spray, dispenser + refill 250 ml
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BuyWhat people often overdo (unnecessarily)
- disinfecting all floors every day
- pouring strong chemicals everywhere without a reason
- mixing different cleaners
In practice, one simple rule works best: targeted and sensible. You’ll get the most benefit from a short airing, washing the “front line” textiles, and wiping a few high-touch spots. More chemicals usually just means more fumes and unnecessary irritation.
Safety: never mix cleaners and always ventilate when disinfecting.
How long should you air out the room?
Best is short and intensive: a draft for 5–10 minutes several times a day. Keeping a window slightly open all day is less effective.