FROM OUR experts
CARING FOR SOMEONE WHO IS SICK?
Here’s how to keep your home clean BY JIM HOWE
EXPERTS WHO OVERSEE CLEANING operations at Upstate University Hospital — Environmental Services Director Susan V. Murphy and Assistant Director John Kolh — provide this advice for caring for a sick loved one at home.
product. Also, don’t mix soap or bleach with some other cleanser, thinking it will create some sort of super cleanser, because it won’t. Allow whatever cleanser you use the time recommended to do its job.
In general:
Bathroom: Wipe down the fixtures – toilet, sink and their handles – daily, and change out the hand towels regularly. Mix one part bleach to nine parts water for bathroom cleaning and be careful not to splash it in your eyes. Bleach solutions will lose strength over time, so use it that day, then dump it down the toilet.
Hand washing: Clean hands are one of the most important ways to check the spread of infection, so be sure there is access to a sink and soap or that hand sanitizer is available.
Removing clutter: All areas should be clean and clutter free. Clear clutter first, then clean, then, if needed, disinfect. e less clutter you have around, the less there is to clean and worry about regarding any transfer of germs from sneezes and coughs. Less clutter also means fewer places for dust to settle or get kicked up into the air and irritate a sick person. Ensure a supply of tissues within easy reach.
Keep “touch points” clean: these include frequently handled items like door and refrigerator handles; knobs on faucets, showers and drawers; buttons on microwave ovens and other appliances; and wall switches. Make sure the materials you are using to clean are clean. Change your cleaning cloth or flip it over each time you clean a new surface. Disposable cloths might be easier and preferable during an illness. Also, clean your vacuum cleaner’s filter to keep the dirt level down. Don’t “double dip,” or reuse a cleaning solution for another task, even one containing bleach, because it weakens the
specific areas:
Another method, especially when dealing with heavy-duty infections: Bathroom surfaces can be cleaned with a soap product, rinsed off, then wiped with a bleach wipe and le to air dry. Bleach wipes, preferably hospital grade, can be found in many stores, and their short-term use is fine.
Kitchen: Keep the sink and counters free of dirty dishes. A dishwasher is a great way to sanitize dishes, but if one is not available, use water as hot as you can stand, agitate the soapy water and put friction on whatever you’re cleaning, then adequately rinse, preferably with hot water, and dry, using a clean, dry towel. Air drying is OK, but not if sitting in a dish rack will expose the dishes to coughs and sneezes. Change the sponge or cloth frequently to avoid contaminating dishes you are cleaning. Wash the brushes for dishes in the dishwasher, if available. Bedroom: Keep the nightstand clean, have ample tissues and a trash can available and empty the trash can regularly. Wipe down surfaces like bed rails, if any, and anything else
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U P S TAT E H E A LT H
upstate.edu l winter 2019
