Sanitize your home after illness for peace of mind

Emily Johnson

Written by Emily Johnson — a seasoned home cleaning expert helping families in Buffalo, Tonawanda, and Amherst keep their homes spotless and stress-free.

Emily Johnson

Written by Emily Johnson — a seasoned home cleaning expert helping families in Buffalo, Tonawanda, and Amherst keep their homes spotless and stress-free.

May 19, 2025

8 min

The ultimate guide to sanitizing your home after illness: making clean simple again

Let’s face it—getting sick is a special kind of misery. But what comes after might be even worse: the realization that your entire home is potentially crawling with those same germs that took you down. Whether someone in your household just battled the flu, a nasty cold, or something more serious, the aftermath requires action. Your mission? Turn your home from a petri dish back into a sanctuary.

I’ve been there. Standing in the middle of my living room, feeling better but overwhelmed, wondering where to even begin. Should I burn the house down and start over? (Kidding… mostly.) Instead, I’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to walk you through sanitizing your home after illness—without losing your mind in the process.

Understanding the enemy: cleaning vs. sanitizing vs. disinfecting

Before we dive into battle mode, let’s get our terminology straight because—surprise!—they’re not the same thing:

Cleaning is your basic first step: removing visible dirt and grime using soap, water, and elbow grease. Think of it as prep work that removes surface-level grossness but doesn’t necessarily kill germs.

Sanitizing reduces the number of germs to a safer level using products like sanitizing sprays or diluted bleach solutions. It’s like bringing the enemy forces down to manageable numbers.

Disinfecting is the nuclear option—it kills the highest percentage of germs and requires stronger products like hydrogen peroxide or bleach-based disinfectants. This is where you obliterate the remaining forces.

Dr. Oludolapo Ilori, a family medicine specialist, emphasizes that both cleaning and disinfecting are crucial steps—and they need to happen in that order. “Whichever products you decide to use, make sure you follow the instructions on the product label,” she advises. Think of it this way: cleaning removes the dirt where germs can hide, while disinfecting assassinates the little buggers that remain.

The germ hot zones: your priority targets

Not all surfaces in your home are created equal when it comes to germ concentration. Some are practically microbial nightclubs. Here’s where to focus your sanitizing efforts first:

The bedroom battlefield

When someone’s been sick, their bedroom transforms into ground zero for germs. Here’s how to reclaim this personal space:

Bedding blitz: Strip everything—sheets, pillowcases, comforters, blankets—and wash them in the hottest water the fabric can handle. This isn’t just for the sick person’s bed; do this for everyone’s bedding since germs travel. Bonus points for running these items through a hot dryer cycle to further kill lingering pathogens.
Hard surfaces: Wipe down all bedroom hard surfaces with disinfectant, including:

Bedside tables
Light switches
Doorknobs
Drawer handles
Bed frames
Any other surfaces that may have been touched

Floor care: Vacuum carpets thoroughly and mop hard floors. Remember, germs can settle on floors and be transferred to your feet, which then carry them throughout the house.

Bathroom breakdown

The bathroom is already a naturally germy place, but when someone’s sick, it becomes a veritable germ convention.

Toilet training: Clean the entire toilet—seat, handle, lid, and base—with a disinfectant. Don’t forget the often-overlooked areas like the back of the toilet and the space between the seat and tank.
Sink and counter: Disinfect the sink basin, faucet, and handles. The countertop deserves special attention, as it likely housed toothbrushes, medications, and other items touched by sick hands.
Towels and bath mats: Wash all towels, washcloths, and bath mats in hot water. Consider using paper towels temporarily while someone is recovering to minimize cross-contamination.

Living areas: the common ground

Common areas serve as highways for germ transmission between household members.

Tech targets: Electronics are some of the germiest items in your home but often the most neglected during cleaning. Disinfect:

Remote controls
Phones and tablets
Computer keyboards
Game controllers
Anything else handled regularly

For smartphones and tablets, turn them off first, unplug them, and use a cleaner with 70-80% isopropyl alcohol. Dampen (don’t soak) a soft, non-abrasive cloth and wipe down the device and case, avoiding ports. Let it dry completely before turning it back on.

Furniture fundamentals: For upholstered furniture, vacuum thoroughly and consider using a fabric sanitizer spray. For leather or vinyl furniture, wipe down with appropriate disinfectant wipes.
High-touch surfaces: These are the real germ superhighways—light switches, doorknobs, stair railings, cabinet handles. Disinfect them at least once daily while someone is sick and during the recovery period.

Kitchen cleanup

Even if the sick person didn’t spend much time in the kitchen, this area needs attention to prevent food contamination.

Counter attack: Clean and disinfect all countertops thoroughly.
Appliance handles: Don’t forget refrigerator door handles, microwave buttons, oven knobs, and cabinet pulls.
Dishes and utensils: Consider using disposable plates and utensils while someone is sick to reduce germ spread. If that’s not possible, wash dishes in hot, soapy water or run them through a dishwasher with a sanitizing cycle.

Battle plan: step-by-step sanitizing strategy

Now that we know our targets, let’s break down the attack plan into manageable steps:

1. Gear up

Like any good soldier, you need proper equipment:

Disposable gloves (change them between rooms)
Disinfectant sprays or wipes
Bleach solution (1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water for disinfecting hard surfaces)
Laundry detergent
Paper towels or disposable cloths
Vacuum with HEPA filter (if available)
Mop and bucket

2. Start with laundry

Begin by tackling all fabric items that may harbor germs:

Bedding (sheets, pillowcases, comforters)
Clothing worn during illness
Towels and washcloths
Soft toys or stuffed animals
Throw blankets and pillow covers

Use the hottest water setting appropriate for the fabric and dry thoroughly. The CDC confirms it’s safe to combine laundry from sick and healthy household members—the key is using hot water and complete drying to kill germs.

Don’t forget to clean laundry baskets and hampers too. Use warm, soapy water or disinfectant wipes on these containers.

Professional cleaning service in Buffalo, Amherst and Tonawanda

If you’re looking for a trusted and high-quality cleaning service in Buffalo, Tonawanda, or Amherst —

get a free quote online.
You can also call us at 716-289-1966.

3. Clean first, disinfect second

For each area of your home:

Remove visible dirt and grime using soap and water or all-purpose cleaner.
Apply disinfectant according to product instructions.
Allow proper contact time (usually several minutes) for the disinfectant to work effectively.
Rinse if required by product instructions.

4. Work top to bottom, clean to dirty

Follow a logical cleaning pattern:

Start with higher surfaces (shelves, counters) before moving to lower ones (baseboards, floors).
Clean cleaner areas before moving to visibly soiled ones.
Work from the furthest point from the door toward the exit, so you’re not re-tracking through cleaned areas.

5. Don’t forget the air

While you can’t “clean” the air per se, you can improve indoor air quality:

Open windows when weather permits for fresh air circulation.
Change HVAC filters if it’s been a while.
Consider running air purifiers with HEPA filters in rooms where the sick person spent the most time.

Germ-busting arsenal: products that actually work

Not all cleaning products are created equal when it comes to killing germs. Here’s what actually works:

Bleach-based solutions

When dealing with stubborn viruses, bleach is often your best bet. “The only thing that really works for those resistant bugs is bleach,” notes Dr. Zuberi. A simple solution of 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water is effective for most hard surfaces.

EPA-registered disinfectants

Look for products specifically labeled as disinfectants (not just cleaners) and check that they’re registered with the EPA. These products have been tested and proven effective against specific pathogens.

Alcohol-based cleaners

For electronics and other sensitive surfaces, cleaners containing 70-80% isopropyl alcohol work well. This concentration is enough to kill germs without damaging most surfaces.

What doesn’t work well

While they might smell nice and clean well, these won’t effectively kill most germs:

Essential oils (despite what your MLM friend says)
Vinegar solutions (good for cleaning, not great for disinfecting)
All-purpose cleaners without disinfecting ingredients.
Plain water, no matter how hot.

Ongoing prevention: keeping germs at bay

Once you’ve completed your deep clean, implement these strategies to maintain a healthier home:

Hand hygiene heroes

“The single best way to prevent the spread of illness is to wash your hands frequently,” emphasizes Dr. Zuberi. And not just a quick rinse—proper handwashing takes about 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice).

Make hand sanitizer readily available throughout your home for times when washing isn’t convenient, but remember it’s not a substitute for proper handwashing.

No-share zone

While someone is recovering (and during flu season in general):

Use separate utensils and dishes.
Don’t share beverages.
Assign individual towels.
Keep personal items personal.

Daily defensive cleaning

During high-risk periods:

Disinfect high-touch surfaces daily.
Change hand towels frequently.
Empty trash cans regularly, especially those containing tissues.
Maintain good ventilation when possible.

Mask up

It might seem excessive, but wearing a mask while someone is actively sick can significantly reduce transmission. “People don’t want to wear a mask, and when they do wear one, they often remove it to cough or sneeze. That defeats the purpose,” Dr. Zuberi points out.

When to call in the pros

Sometimes, the situation calls for professional help. Consider professional cleaning services when:

The illness was particularly severe or contagious.
Multiple household members were sick simultaneously.
You’re dealing with immunocompromised family members.
The affected area is large or difficult to clean thoroughly.
You simply don’t have the time or energy to tackle it properly.

Professional services have access to hospital-grade disinfectants and specialized equipment that can provide a more thorough sanitization than typical household methods.

The psychological reset

There’s something psychologically satisfying about a clean home after illness. Beyond the practical benefits of germ reduction, a thorough cleaning provides:

A sense of closure to the illness episode.
Peace of mind that you’re protecting other household members.
The feeling of a fresh start as you return to normal life.

Don’t underestimate the mental health benefits of transforming your space from a sick zone back to a comfortable home.

The bottom line: practical over paranoid

While this guide is comprehensive, remember that perfect is the enemy of good. You don’t need to achieve operating-room sterility—just a reasonable reduction in germ load. Focus on the highest-risk areas, use effective products correctly, and maintain good habits moving forward.

The goal isn’t to create a sterile bubble (which isn’t possible or even desirable for a functioning immune system), but rather to reduce the likelihood of reinfection or transmission to others. A sensible approach to post-illness cleaning strikes the balance between practical and paranoid.

By following these guidelines, you’ll not only reclaim your home from illness—you’ll establish habits that can help prevent the next round of sickness from taking hold. And that, my friend, is worth every minute spent wiping down doorknobs and washing bedding.

Now go forth and disinfect—your newly sanitized home awaits!

Detailed and affordable home cleaning services for busy families in Amherst, Tonawanda, and Buffalo

If you’re living in Buffalo and want your home to feel fresh and truly clean, a seasonal deep clean might be just what you need. In Tonawanda, many families rely on recurring services to stay ahead of the mess. And Amherst residents often choose move-out cleanings to impress landlords and secure their deposits. If you’re looking to bring some order and freshness into your space — you can always get a free quote online through STARCORE Cleaning. We’ll be happy to help you organize a quality cleaning service in Buffalo, Tonawanda, or Amherst at a fair price. Prefer to talk it through? Just give us a call: 716-289-1966. We’re here for you.

Frequently asked questions

1. How often should I disinfect my home after someone has been sick?

It’s best to disinfect high-touch surfaces daily while the sick person is in recovery, and continue for at least a few days after symptoms have resolved.