The classic “white glove test” to detect dust may not be as popular these days, but cleanliness remains essential for a healthy home. Germs, viruses, and other microorganisms can cause disease even if they are invisible. However, it isn’t necessary to disinfect your entire home to maintain a healthy environment. The real question is, how clean should it be?

Tailoring Cleanliness to Your Household

Consider the needs of your household members. If you have a sick person, very young children, or someone who is immunocompromised, your house may need more attention. This means going deeper with disinfecting—killing germs—and sanitizing, which reduces germs. Both actions help minimize the spread of disease.

In general, keeping high-traffic surfaces clean to remove pathogens and dirt is usually sufficient for a healthy home. Less traveled areas should be cleaned when they become dirty, such as vacuuming rugs and carpets or wiping down windowsills or floorboards with soap and water. These items generally do not require disinfection each time they are cleaned, says Alexandra Seguin, a certified infection preventionist and high consequence infectious disease lead at RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago.

Daily Cleaning Routine

“People are busy,” acknowledges Deirdre Kent, owner of Good Woman Cleaning Services in Mountain View, HI. She suggests breaking down cleaning tasks into manageable daily routines. For example:

• Entranceways: Place rugs or mats by every outside door to catch dirt. Vacuum or sweep them regularly.
• Kitchen: Wash dishes, the sink, counters, and stovetop. Sweep the floor.
• Bathroom: Rinse the sink, tub, or shower after each use.
• Laundry: Depending on your household, washing clothes and linens daily might be necessary. Use the appropriate detergent and water temperature, and ensure items are fully dried to minimize germs.

Weekly Cleaning Tasks

• Kitchen: Disinfect countertops and cutting boards with a bleach-water solution. Clean appliances and surfaces, including the microwave, stove hood, fridge handles, and dishwasher.
• Bathroom: Scour the sink, floor, and toilet with an all-purpose cleaner. Scrub the tub if necessary and disinfect spots like the toilet flush handle, light switches, and knobs.
• Bedrooms and Living Areas: Vacuum carpets and upholstery to remove soil and stains, using suitable products.

High-Touch Surfaces

Certain surfaces, especially those with frequent touch traffic, need regular cleaning and disinfection. These include kitchen and bathroom countertops, toilets, doorknobs, light switches, and other frequently used items prone to contamination. Clean these surfaces with mild soap and water first, let them dry, and then apply a chemical disinfectant.

Commonly Overlooked Areas

Deirdre Kent notes that many people overlook areas such as:

• Kitchen Sink Disposal Gasket: Scrub under it to remove gunk, ensuring the disposal cannot turn on while cleaning.
• Ceiling Fans: Often neglected, they can sling dust and dirt if not cleaned.
• Kitchen Details: Pay attention to stovetops, microwaves, range hoods, fridges, and dishwashers, especially handles.
• Toilet Flush Handle: Regularly disinfect it.

Adapting Your Cleaning Approach

Don’t hold yourself to an impossible standard. Keeping your hands clean and maintaining good hygiene goes a long way in warding off germs. Streamline your cleaning supplies, and throw in one extra task as you go along to make a difference.

Air Quality Matters

Good air quality is crucial for household health. Particles from cooking, cleaning products, personal care items, home fixtures, and stored lawn care products can pollute indoor air. To improve air quality, consider:

• Air Cleaners: Remove particles and contaminants. Filtration-based cleaners are safe, but some processes like ultraviolet light and ozone can be harmful.
• Ventilators: Heat recovery and energy recovery ventilators push filtered outdoor air into your home, improving ventilation and reducing energy costs.
• Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers: Maintain optimal humidity levels when heating and air conditioning aren’t sufficient.

For more information on air quality, visit the EPA’s website.