Home LivingKeep cold and flu out of your home with this expert-approved winter cleaning checklistTry and beat cold and flu season with these 5 cleaning tipsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingKeep cold and flu out of your home with this expert-approved winter cleaning checklistTry and beat cold and flu season with these 5 cleaning tipsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Try and beat cold and flu season with these 5 cleaning tips
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: svetikd / Getty Images)
(Image credit: svetikd / Getty Images)
Temperatures have fully dropped this week, meaning winter is well and truly here. Whilst it’s nice to stay inside all warm and cosy, it’s important to remember that these conditions can also carry in dirt and unwanted germs. This means peakcold and flu seasonis also upon us, making this time of year extremely important to keep living spaces clean and bacteria free.
With this in mind, I spoke to cleaning expert and Product Development Scientist atAstonish, Olivia Young, who shared her winter cleaning checklist to keeping your home cosy but clean during the colder winter months.
Before you find out more, read these6 tips on how to sleep better with a cold!
1. Focus on your windows
With energy costs rising, constantly having the heating on to stay warm might not be the best option, but keeping your windows clean might be. Grime and residue can block the transfer of sunlight into the home, which is what helps naturally warm our rooms. Cleaner, maintained windows ensure that the sun can beam through and also help to protect the window seal against damage and cracks, reducing unwanted draughts.
All you need is washing up liquid and warm water, a brilliant combo that will prove effective at cleaning the glass. Another top tip is when wiping with a cloth or towel, make sure to work in a ‘S-shape’ when cleaning, to avoids leaving any smears or smudges on your shiny windows.
2. Dust those radiators
Firstly, make sure your radiator is off and then use the handheld attachment of yourcordless vacuum cleanerto remove as much dust as you can. This probably won’t reach every nook and cranny, so grab a dust cloth to get to those harder to reach areas. To finish off, grab a warm, wet sponge and simply wipe to remove any final bits of dust, then let it dry naturally before turning your radiators back on.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
3. Tackle mould straight away
Mould is a common problem many people face during winter. It occurs primarily from condensation that builds up on your windows when you’ve got your radiators on, especially if there’s not much chance for the air to circulate. If left untreated, mould can cause respiratory problems, which right in the heart of flu season is the last thing you need.
4. Spruce up your bed
Sickness bugs are also a regular problem during the colder season as we tend to spend more times indoors, allowing viruses to spread easily from person to person. For those needing to snuggle up in a warm bed when battling a bug, make sure it’s clean and fresh as this will help you to help fight germs and promote rest and recovery.
Winter is also a really good time to give your mattress a deep clean, so follow our guide onhow to clean a mattressto find out more. Whilst you’re at it, why don’t you do the same with yourpillowsandmattress topperas well?
5. Create a germ-free home
This can really make a huge difference during winter as regularly wiping down and cleaning surfaces will remove bacteria and germs that linger, helping you to limit the spread of cold and flu viruses in your home. Where possible, try to ventilate rooms too. We know it’s cold, but this will help air to circulate, bringing fresh air in to your home and sending germ ridden air away!
Interested in more? Check out the4 essential winter household checksI’m carrying out!
