7 Objects to Sanitize During Cold and Flu Season

1. Door knobs

Unless you invested heavily in bead curtains in the ’70s, you’re likely touching door knobs around your house all day, every day. Wipe them down! Don’t forget cabinet pulls, oven knobs, fridge handles and microwave buttons, too. To really take your cleaning to the next level, walk around your house with a sanitizing wipe, and if you find yourself reaching out for something, sterilize it.

2. TV remotes

Let’s face it — social distancing and quarantine means a lot of time in front of the TV for many people. And that, in turn, means your hands are going to be all over that remote control. Taking a few seconds every day to wipe it down will help keep germs at bay.

3. Phones and tablets

Your phone might be the one object you own that touches your face almost as often as it touches your hands, and tablet computers like the iPad are designed to be touched all day long. When you wipe these down, be sure to use a cleaner or cleaning wipe approved for use on electronics. Otherwise, you might end up with a clean and sterile pile of useless electronics.

4. Computer accessories

Whether you’re a casual user or a hardcore gamer, you’re likely going to interact with your computer via a keyboard and a mouse or trackpad. These are also items you want to wipe down with a solution or wipe designed for electronics. Bonus tip: As you’re cleaning off your keyboard, use a can of compressed air to help make sure everything is out of all the nooks and crannies.

5. Pillows and sheets

These items are probably on a regular cleaning rotation already, but since they touch your face every day, it’s not a bad idea to swap them out more often. This is especially important during cold and flu season, when you could be coughing or sneezing on your bed linens all night.

6. Makeup applicators

For many people, it’s important to look fabulous even in the midst of social distancing (video calls, anyone?), but if you haven’t cleaned out your makeup brushes or applicators in a while, they could be harboring unpleasant bacteria or worse. Allure Magazine suggests cleaning your makeup brushes weekly. And this tip has a bonus benefit: Clean brushes are better for your complexion, so this tip won’t just help keep you healthy, it might just help make you look more radiant!

7. Vacuum cleaner filters

When was the last time you changed your vacuum cleaner filter? If you can’t remember, it might be time to clean it or replace it, depending on your model. Doing so can help maintain your air quality by trapping nasty particulates in the filter rather than circulating them around the room you’re attempting to clean, especially if you have a vacuum cleaner that features a HEPA-rated filter.

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