Disinfecting Your Home After Illness
When someone in an Ontario household has been sick with a contagious illness — flu, COVID-19, gastroenteritis, strep — cleaning and disinfecting the home reduces the risk of spreading the illness to other household members. There's an important distinction between cleaning (removing dirt and germs from surfaces) and disinfecting (killing germs on surfaces) — both steps are needed.
High-Touch Surface Priority
Viruses and bacteria survive longest on hard, non-porous surfaces. The highest-priority surfaces to disinfect are the ones touched most frequently:
- Doorknobs and door handles throughout the home
- Light switches
- Toilet handle, seat, and flusher
- Faucet handles (bathroom and kitchen)
- Shared electronic devices (remotes, phones, tablets, keyboards)
- Countertops and table surfaces
The Sick Room
While the person is ill: minimize cross-traffic through the room. After recovery or departure: open windows for ventilation if weather permits, strip and wash all bedding on the hottest setting appropriate for the fabric, wipe all hard surfaces with a Health Canada-approved disinfectant, and vacuum the mattress.
Effective Disinfectants for Ontario Homes
Health Canada's registered disinfectants (look for a DIN number on the label) are the standard for verified efficacy. Common effective options: diluted bleach (1 tablespoon per 1 litre of water), hydrogen peroxide (3%), or commercial disinfectant sprays with a DIN. Vinegar and baking soda are not effective disinfectants despite common claims.
Laundry Protocol
Wash sick-room textiles (bedding, towels, clothing) separately from household laundry, on the hottest setting the fabric allows. Transfer directly from the laundry bag to the machine without handling more than necessary. Wash hands after handling.