The Post-Sickness Cleaning Checklist You Need | Maid in Toronto

Posted on January 26, 2018January 21, 2018 by Patrick Martel

The Post-Sickness Cleaning Checklist You Need | Maid in Toronto

There’s always something going around, and whether you or someone you live with caught that cold or flu, you’ve got to nip it in the bud with the post-sickness cleaning checklist you need. Because, don’t you want to save others from the same, sickly fate? In the best of times, germs are everywhere and relatively harmless. In the worst of times, they are multiplying, just waiting for a host to latch on to. So, when your home gets invaded by unwanted bacteria it’s time to pull out your bucket of home cleaning supplies and get down to business!

The Post Sickness Cleaning Checklist You Need Lying Down

The Cleaning Checklist: Feel Better!

Clean the Bedroom

When you’re sick, all you want to do is lay in bed. The trouble is that the bedroom is now contaminated, but it’s not beyond repair. When it comes to surfaces like door handles, light switches and bedside tables simply pull out your favorite commercial disinfectant, or create a home cleaning remedy out of vinegar. For maximum clean, these spots will need your full attention and a good wipe down with a microfiber cloth! Same goes for any other surfaces around your home like railings, counters and door knobs. Simple, easy, done!

The Post Sickness Cleaning Checklist You Need Bed

However, blankets and bedding will take a little more effort. Because sick people sweat more than the average person, strip the affected bed of sheets and throw them all in the wash. Be sure to add all garments and blankets that were used during the incubation period. Nothing should be left behind! If you catch any stains prior to washing, be sure to treat them so as to maximize cleanliness once they’ve been laundered. Lastly, set the laundry machine to the hottest temperature and wash away!

Clean the Bathroom

When it comes to cleaning after being sick, the bathroom is one of the most important areas you need to be worried about. Because it’s a shared space, it holds high potential for infecting other people. With that said, you should be cleaning the entire bathroom, with special attention on the sink, toilet, flush handle, and tap handles.

The Post Sickness Cleaning Checklist You Need Ducks

You can use your favorite commercial cleaner or opt for a home-made remedy. However, did you know that steam cleaners are also a great way to get rid of the germs? Yep, the steam cleaner is great at getting into those hard-to-reach crannies around the toilet and tap. However, for a maximum clean, spray a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water prior to steaming and let it sit for a few minutes. Then steam away!

Clean the Kitchen

Just like the bathroom, the kitchen is a hot-spot for germs to accumulate, because even sick people need to eat! When you go to clean the kitchen, focus on things like the refrigerator door handle, and all cabinet and drawer handles that get frequently touched. You can use disinfectant wipes, your favorite commercial cleaner, or a home-made mixture of your choosing. And yes, you can also use your steam cleaner in the kitchen! But again, you should spray the surface with a cleaner, let it sit, and then steam away. All that’s left to do is wipe the handles down with a dampened microfiber cloth!

The Post Sickness Cleaning Checklist You Need Kitchen

Clean the Electronics

Though it may seem like a mission and a half, cleaning electronics after an illness is super important. That goes for any cell phones, computers, keyboards and remotes that the sick person has touched. However, you probably haven’t cleaned those electronics in a while so take advantage of this opportunity and disinfect till your heart’s content!

The Post Sickness Cleaning Checklist You Need Electronics

Typically, using a disinfectant wipe, damp microfiber cloth or electronic cleaning kit will do the trick. However, be careful about getting alcohol near the heart of the electronics. For more information on how to clean these prized possessions, check out our other article that will give you a more in-depth description of how to clean your cell phone!

Hungry for more?

This post was brought to you by Maid4Condos, a top-rated residential cleaning service dedicated to the people of Toronto. Maid4Condos has been a committed partner to the Toronto cleaning and construction scene for years, and continues to provide exceptional cleaning services to clients. Get a FREE quote & book your cleaning today or follow this link to learn more of what we’re all about!

Get Social With Us:

Visit the Maid4Condos blog and follow us on FaceBook, Twitter or Instagram for more industry news, Toronto lifestyle guides and cleaning tips!

See Maid4Condos Reviews:

Written by Savannah Binder, Maid4Condos

Are You a Germaphobe? | Toronto Condo Cleaning Service | Maid4Condos

Posted on January 17, 2018January 16, 2018 by Patrick Martel

Are You a Germaphobe? | Toronto Condo Cleaning Service | Maid4Condos

Encountering dirt, bacteria and illness is a part of life that you can’t get away from- but are you a germaphobe? The reality is, germs are everywhere. You could practise the best hygiene and have the highest standards of cleanliness- and still take huge precautions against unwanted contamination. Yet you still may not qualify as a germaphobe! Yes, there is a huge difference between being cautious and tidy and suffering from germaphobia, or as the professionals call it- mysophobia.

Defining Germaphobia

The NHS defines a phobia as a ‘debilitating fear of an object, place, situation, feeling or animal’. The term ‘mysophobia’ was coined in 1879 by Dr. William Alexander Hammond to describe one of his patients who would constantly wash his hands. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Interestingly, those with anxiety and depression running in their family are at higher risk for developing this particular phobia. People with OCD are at a higher risk for developing mysophobia because they may already experience obsessive thoughts about germs, and might already be compulsively cleaning and sanitizing their homes.

However, it’s not just people with OCD who develop the phobia. Just like anything else, the compulsion to clean can be transferred from parent to child. Mysophobia can also be triggered by a trauma like a health scare. Current experts on the subject also say that the increased emphasis on public hygiene items like toilet seat covers and hand sanitizer have contributed to the rise of mysophobia in the United States.

Extremely Clean or Germaphobic?

Being extremely clean and being mysophobic are two different things. For instance, people who suffer from mysophobia have trouble evaluating which situations actually pose a threat to them. So, if you have no trouble going into a grimy public restroom – chances are you’re in the clear! People who suffer from mysophobia tend to feel panic in the most mundane, daily situations that involve germs. Additionally, they will then take extreme measures to avoid the supposed contamination, and decontaminate in spaces they can trust. Take a look at the list below to see if you possess any traits found in mysophobic people:

Signs of Germaphobia

Avoiding places based on their perceived dirtiness
Excessive time spent cleaning & decontamination
Obsessive hand-washing
Avoiding physical contact with others
Refusing to share personal items
Avoiding crowds or animals
Fearing contamination of children
Refusing to use public restroom
Buying numerous cleaning products
Ignorance of extreme exposure to cleaning chemicals

Overcoming Germaphobia

Like any phobia, the hardest part about overcoming mysophobia is learning how to correct irrational thoughts. In this case, thoughts about germs. There are a few ways a person could go about overcoming their fears. Overall, the best thing a person can do is educate themselves, through literature and videos, about how bacteria is a natural part of the environment and our bodies. Understanding the role that bacteria plays in our bodies and in the world may start the process of change.

Though educating yourself is important, getting to the bottom of mysophobia usually requires therapy, medication- or a little bit of both. Specifically, antidepressant SSRIs are typically prescribed to help manage feelings of anxiety. All of these methods in conjunction with exposure therapy will help treat mysophobia. Exposure therapy is an important step in the healing process, as it allows individuals change their behavior in increments they feel comfortable with. For instance, increasing the time one takes between showers or hand washings.

The Irony of Germaphobes

Ironically, the cleaning rituals of mysophobia actually make those suffering more susceptible to contamination! Yep, the highly sterile environment that they surround themselves in doesn’t do anything good for their immune system. In fact, extremely sterile environments keep mysophobes from developing immunological resistance to bacteria, making them more susceptible to illness. And, the more a mysophobic person gets sick, the more they feel the need to clean- and so the cycle perpetuates itself endlessly!

As far as phobias go, the fear of germs can be particularly debilitating as it colours every interaction a person has in the world. However, there’s a bright side. It is a very treatable condition. If you surround yourself with the right educative tools and support system, you can learn how to manage your anxieties and go on to live a full and healthy life!