Spring Cleaning

April 2, 2026 | If you are like most people, you’ve already begun your annual spring cleaning, clearing out closets, straightening shelves and organizing various areas around your home. Spring cleaning can be beneficial to your health as you remove accumulated allergens like dust and mold and reduce your stress level through the creation of an organized calm environment. But did you know there’s a difference between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, cleaning refers to the removal of dirt and organic matter from surfaces using soap or detergents. Sanitizing involves killing bacteria on surfaces using chemicals while disinfecting kills both bacteria and viruses on surfaces using chemicals. The EPA is responsible for regulating products that sanitize and disinfect, except for hand sanitizers, which are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

April 2, 2026 | Everyone likes a clean home. Cleaning is an important first step to make sure you remove most germs from surfaces in your home. Using household cleaners that contain soap or detergent will remove germs and dirt on surfaces. Cleaning alone removes most harmful viruses or bacteria from surfaces. Surfaces should be cleaned before they are sanitized or disinfected because impurities like dirt may make it harder for chemicals to get to and kill germs. Clean high-touch surfaces like light switches and door knobs regularly and after you have visitors in your home. Clean other surfaces in your home when they are visibly dirty or as needed. Clean them more often if people in your household are more likely to get sick, such as young children and people with weakened immune systems. Be sure to clean surfaces using a product suitable for each surface and follow all instructions on the product label.

April 2, 2026 | Sanitizing reduces the remaining germs on surfaces after cleaning. Some surfaces and objects in your home may need to be sanitized after they are cleaned. It’s a good idea to sanitize food contact surfaces after a natural disaster such as flooding or an emergency. You may also want to sanitize the inside of your refrigerator if you have a recalled food item. Be sure to sanitize surfaces using a product suitable for each surface, following safety instructions on the product label. Daily sanitizing may not be necessary if surfaces and objects are cleaned carefully after use. You can sanitize non-porous objects by either boiling, steaming or using a weaker bleach solution. Check with the item’s manufacturer about which method to use. A dishwasher with a sanitizing cycle can be used for some items. After sanitizing, place items on a clean, unused dish towel or paper towel and allow them to air dry before storing or using.

April 2, 2026 | Disinfecting can kill viruses and bacteria that remain on surfaces after cleaning. By killing germs on a surface after cleaning, disinfecting can further lower the risk of spreading germs that can cause illness. In addition to cleaning, disinfect your home when someone is sick or if someone is at a higher risk of getting sick due to a weakened immune system. Someone may have a weakened immune system if they are being treated with immune-suppressing drugs for cancer, organ transplants, or other illnesses, or if they have HIV or genetic conditions that affect the immune system. To safely disinfect, use an EPA-registered disinfecting product or a stronger bleach solution. Clean the surface with soap and water first. If ready-to-use disinfectants are not available, you can use bleach solutions for many hard surfaces. Bleach solutions will be effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi when properly diluted.

April 2, 2026 | If you haven’t used or worn something since the last spring cleaning, it might be a good time to get rid of it. Cleaning and decluttering your home can save you time when looking for misplaced items and save you the money you’d spend on replacing them in the future. Knowing there is a place for everything gives you peace of mind. This goes for the office, too, particularly if you have papers and gadgets spread all over your desk. Clutter can make it difficult for the brain to filter information. And you don’t have to have a gym membership to work out. Like any physical activity, spring cleaning can burn calories. Now, strolling around the house with a feather duster won’t do much, but 30 minutes or more of moderate activity, such as vacuuming or scrubbing floors, can add up. The more you move, the more calories you’ll burn and you’ll reduce fatigue and increase your overall energy level in the process.