Living with a sick person and a cat in the same home can be challenging. Germs can spread quickly, making it important to keep your home as clean as possible. This guide will help you manage germs in key areas of your home to keep everyone healthy.
Key Takeaways
- Run your washing machine with bleach once a week to kill germs.
- Wash towels frequently, especially if someone is sick.
- Keep food and snacks out of bedrooms to avoid attracting bacteria.
- Sanitize doorknobs, light switches, and other frequently touched surfaces regularly.
- Clean your cat’s litter box and keep kitchen counters sanitized to prevent the spread of germs.
Paws and Effect: Keeping Your Laundry Room Germ-Free
The Dirty Truth About Your Washing Machine
Think your washing machine is one of the cleanest places in your house? Think again! Dirty laundry can fill your washer—and future loads of laundry—with bacteria and viruses. To keep it fresh, run your washer empty with a cup of bleach once a week. To kill germs, wash and dry your laundry at the highest temperature the fabric can stand.
Bleach It Like You Mean It
Bleach is your best friend when it comes to keeping germs at bay. Mix 3/4 cup of bleach per gallon of water and fill the litter box with the bleach solution, let stand 5 minutes. Thoroughly rinse the litter box and air dry. This will help keep your laundry room and your cat’s restroom fresh and clean.
Hot Water: Your New Best Friend
Hot water is a powerful ally in the fight against germs. Wash all bed linens at least once a week in hot water—more often if someone is sick. This will help kill any lingering bacteria and viruses. Remember, the hotter the water, the better it is at killing germs.
Towel Tales: The Saga of Clean Towels
One Person, One Towel, One Week
Alright, folks, let’s talk towels. If only one person is using a towel, it should be washed once a week. But if someone is sick, wash it after each use. No exceptions! We don’t want to spread those germs around like confetti at a parade.
Gym Towels: The Sweaty Story
Gym towels are a whole different beast. They soak up all that sweat and bacteria from your workout. So, wash them after each workout. Yes, every single time. Your nose and your skin will thank you.
Kitchen Towels vs. Bathroom Towels: The Ultimate Showdown
Kitchen towels and bathroom towels should never meet in the laundry basket. Wash kitchen towels separately from underwear and bathroom towels. Trust us, you don’t want to mix those germs. It’s like a germ party you didn’t RSVP to.
Guests and Hand Towels: A Revolving Door
When you have guests, replace hand towels every few days. Or better yet, every time you have guests. No one wants to dry their hands on a germy towel. It’s like shaking hands with a cold.
Hang towels to air dry. Don’t reuse any in a heap on the floor. Your future self will thank you.
The Cat’s Out of the Bag: Bedroom Germ Warfare
Weekly Linen Battles
In the war against germs, our bedroom is a major battleground. We need to wash all bed linens at least once a week in hot water. If someone is sick, we should wash them even more often. This helps keep those pesky germs at bay.
The Crumb Conundrum
Let’s face it, snacking in bed is a guilty pleasure. But crumbs can attract mold and bacteria. So, it’s best to keep food and snacks out of the bedroom. If we must indulge, a quick vacuum can help keep the germs away.
Sick Days and Extra Washes
When we’re feeling under the weather, our bed becomes a germ hotspot. Extra washes of our linens and pajamas are a must. Remember, snuggling with pets when you’re sick won’t transmit colds or flu to them, as these viruses don’t spread between humans and pets. But keeping the bed clean helps everyone stay healthier.
Family Room Follies: Germs on the Loose
Remote Controls and Other Germ Magnets
Let’s face it, our family room is a germ’s paradise. Remote controls are like the VIP section for bacteria. Everyone touches them, but no one thinks to clean them. Grab some disinfectant wipes and give those remotes a good scrub. And don’t forget the video game controllers and coffee tables while you’re at it!
Crumbs, Spills, and Bacteria Thrills
Crumbs and spills are like a buffet for germs. Vacuum those crumbs and clean up spills right away to keep bacteria from setting up camp in your carpets and furniture. Remember, a clean family room is a happy family room!
Dust Bunnies Beware
Dust bunnies might sound cute, but they’re actually little germ factories. Regularly dust your flat screen TV with a damp microfiber cloth and vacuum the floors. Your family room will be so clean, even your cat will approve!
Handle with Care: Knobs, Railings, and Other Touchy Subjects
Doorknobs: The Unsung Heroes of Germ Spread
Doorknobs are like the unsung heroes of germ spread. They see a lot of action, and not just from us humans. Our cats love to rub against them, leaving behind a trail of fur and who knows what else. It’s essential to clean these often-overlooked surfaces to keep germs at bay. A quick wipe with a disinfectant can make a world of difference.
Cabinet Handles and Railings: The Overlooked Offenders
Cabinet handles and railings are the sneaky culprits in our homes. We touch them all the time, but how often do we clean them? Bacteria stick easier to rough surfaces, and these spots are no exception. A little bit of attention here can go a long way in keeping our homes germ-free.
Light Switches and Lamps: Bright Ideas for Cleaning
Light switches and lamps are another set of touchy subjects. We flip them on and off without a second thought, but they can harbor a lot of germs. A quick wipe down with a disinfectant wipe can help keep these areas clean. Plus, a clean light switch is a bright idea for any home!
Office Shenanigans: Keeping Your Workspace Clean
Desks and Keyboards: The Germ Hotspots
Our desks and keyboards are like the VIP lounges for germs. We eat, sneeze, and sometimes even nap on them. To keep these hotspots clean, we need to:
- Wipe down surfaces daily with disinfecting wipes.
- Shake out or vacuum your keyboard to remove crumbs and dust.
- Use a damp microfiber cloth to clean your computer screen.
Phones and Tablets: Tech Hygiene Tips
Our phones and tablets are practically glued to our hands, making them prime real estate for germs. Here’s how to keep them clean:
- Use disinfecting wipes designed for electronics.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals that can damage screens.
- Clean your devices at least once a day, especially if you’ve been out and about.
Office Supplies: The Hidden Germ Carriers
Pens, staplers, and even that cute cat-shaped tape dispenser can harbor germs. To keep your office supplies from becoming germ factories:
- Wipe down items with disinfecting wipes regularly.
- Avoid sharing office supplies if possible.
- Keep hand sanitizer at your desk for quick clean-ups.
Keeping our workspace clean isn’t just about looking tidy; it’s about staying healthy. Let’s make our office a germ-free zone, one wipe at a time!
Cat-tastrophes: Cleaning Up After Your Furry Friend
The Litter Box Lowdown
Let’s face it, cleaning the litter box is no one’s favorite chore, but it’s a must-do to keep our homes fresh and our cats happy. Here’s how to tackle it like a pro:
- Remove the litter from the box.
- Wash the litter box with soap and water.
- Mix 3/4 cup of bleach per gallon of water and fill the litter box with the bleach solution. Let it stand for 5 minutes.
- Thoroughly rinse the litter box and let it air dry.
Pro tip: Always wear gloves and a mask when handling cat litter to avoid inhaling any dust or germs.
Countertop Capers: Keeping Food Prep Areas Clean
Cats love to explore, and sometimes that means hopping onto our kitchen counters. While we adore their curiosity, we don’t love the germs they can bring. Here’s how to keep your food prep areas spotless:
- Wipe counters with a cleansing wipe or a paper towel and cleaning solution before and after food prep.
- Keep cutting boards, knives, and other food prep tools inside cupboards and drawers.
- Consider using a pet-safe deterrent spray to keep your feline friend off the counters.
Bath Time: When Your Cat Becomes a Biohazard
Cats are usually pretty good at keeping themselves clean, but sometimes they need a little help—especially if they’ve gotten into something particularly nasty. Here’s how to give your cat a bath without losing your sanity:
- Fill a sink or tub with a few inches of lukewarm water.
- Gently place your cat in the water, using a cup to wet their fur. Avoid the face and ears.
- Apply a small amount of cat-safe shampoo and lather gently.
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, making sure to remove all soap.
- Wrap your cat in a towel and dry them off as much as possible.
Remember: Cats can be slippery when wet, so hold on tight and stay calm. Your cat will pick up on your energy and be more likely to stay calm too.
Keeping our homes clean with cats around can be a challenge, but with a little effort and the right tools, we can make sure our furry friends don’t turn our homes into a germ playground.
Conclusion
In the end, keeping your home germ-free when you have sick humans and curious cats is no small feat. But with a bit of elbow grease and a lot of humor, you can manage it. Remember, a clean home is a happy home, and a happy home is one where the cat isn’t plotting your demise because you tried to give it a bath. So, keep those disinfectant wipes handy, wash your hands like you’re about to perform surgery, and maybe invest in a good lint roller. After all, a little cat hair never hurt anyone, but a lot of germs just might. Stay pawsitive and keep those germs at bay!
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my washing machine?
Run your washing machine empty with a cup of bleach once a week to keep it fresh and germ-free.
How often should I wash towels if someone is sick?
If someone is sick, wash towels after each use to prevent the spread of germs.
How can I keep my kitchen counters clean with cats around?
Always wipe counters with a cleaning wipe or solution before and after food preparation, especially if your cat walks on them.
What should I do if my cat gets contaminated with something like vomit?
Give your cat a bath, and wear gloves and a mask while doing it. Clean any surfaces that get contaminated during the process.
How often should I wash bed linens if someone is sick?
Wash all bed linens at least once a week in hot water, and more often if someone is sick.
How can I keep remote controls and other frequently touched items clean?
Regularly clean remote controls and other frequently touched items with disinfectant wipes to keep them germ-free.