🦠 Stop the Spread of Sickness in Your Home

Kylie Sheedy
Jun 15
3 min read

Being sick is no fun. Whether it’s a cold, the flu, or one of the many bugs going around, your body is calling out for rest, and rest should absolutely be your top priority. But if you're feeling up to it, there are a few light, intentional cleaning tasks you can do from the comfort of your own home to help stop germs in their tracks and protect your loved ones.

We’re not talking about a deep clean or scrubbing the floors here. Just small, manageable actions that can make a big difference in keeping your household healthier.

🖐️ Start with High-Touch Surfaces

Some of the most overlooked spots in the home are also the ones that collect the most germs, especially when someone’s unwell.

Here’s a quick list of areas worth giving a daily wipe-down:

Door handles (especially bathroom and front door)
Light switches
Fridge and freezer handles
Drawer and cupboard handles
Toilet flush buttons and lids
Remote controls, phones, and tablets
Kettle and microwave buttons
Taps and sink handles

Use a disinfecting spray, antibacterial wipes, or a solution of water with a small amount of disinfectant. If you prefer something more natural, Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Spray is a great option, it’s effective, smells clean and fresh, and gentle on most surfaces.

💡Tip: Keep a microfibre cloth or a pack of wipes nearby so you can do a quick wipe of these surfaces as you go about your day. A few seconds here and there can really help reduce the spread of germs in shared spaces.

🌬 Clear the Air

It’s easy to forget, but airborne germs are just as contagious as those on surfaces. Thankfully, you don’t need to overdo it to freshen up the air in your home.

Here’s how to tackle germs in the air:

Open the windows: Even five minutes of fresh air can help circulate clean air into your space, especially if it’s been shut up with the heater on.
Use a germ-killing spray: Sprays like Glen 20 or Bosisto’s Eucalyptus Spray are designed to kill airborne bacteria and germs. A quick spray into the air (especially in bedrooms, bathrooms, and shared areas) can make a difference.
Add essential oils to a diffuser: Eucalyptus, tea tree, or lavender oils can help purify the air and also offer a soothing scent, especially when you're feeling congested.

🌿 Bonus Tip: A bowl of hot water with a few drops of eucalyptus oil placed safely in a corner of the room (out of reach of pets and children) can gently release antibacterial vapours into the air.

🧺 Laundry: Small Loads, Big Impact

If you’ve got the energy for it, doing a little laundry while sick can help stop reinfection and keep your home fresher.

Prioritise:

Bedding and pillowcases – especially if you’ve been sweating or sneezing in bed
Towels and face washers
Reusable tissues or hankies
Pyjamas and sick-day clothes

Use a warm or hot cycle, and don’t forget to wipe down the laundry basket or hamper if you've been using it to store your sick-day linens.

💡Too tired? No worries. Pop everything in a separate pile or basket and do it once you’re feeling better. Even that small step helps prevent germs spreading to the rest of the laundry.

🧽 Don’t Stress About the Rest

When you're sick, give yourself permission to let go of the bigger cleaning tasks. The floors can wait. The dusting can wait. Even the dishes can wait if they need to.

Focus on:

One or two small cleaning wins a day
Keeping yourself hydrated
Getting plenty of rest
Protecting those you live with

If you have family or roommates, ask them to help pitch in with these germ-busting tasks. Most people are happy to help, they just need to know what’s needed.

💛 Healing Comes First

At the end of the day, the most important job when you're sick is resting and recovering. These small cleaning tasks are just about kindness and care, for yourself and for those you share your home with.

So go gently. Do what you can. And remember, your home doesn't need to be spotless right now. A few intentional actions are more than enough to make a difference.