During cold and flu season, it can be helpful to pay extra attention to the high-touch surfaces around your home. Here, we explain which surfaces may need disinfecting and how to choose the right product for high-touch surfaces, floors and textiles.
When should you disinfect surfaces in your home?
For everyday cleaning, regular household cleaning and thorough handwashing are often enough to maintain good hygiene. Disinfecting can be particularly useful during cold and stomach bug season, when someone in the household is unwell or when a surface has come into contact with dirt that requires extra thorough cleaning.
Disinfecting may be needed:
- during cold and stomach bug season
- when someone in the household is unwell
- when cleaning up urine, vomit or animal waste
- when thoroughly cleaning the toilet and other frequently touched surfaces
- when treating odours in sports equipment, shoes and pet accessories
- when cleaning children’s and pets’ belongings
Disinfecting does not replace regular cleaning. Always remove visible dirt thoroughly first and use disinfecting products according to the instructions on the packaging.
What are the most common high-touch surfaces in the home?
High-touch surfaces are areas in the home that are touched repeatedly throughout the day. During cold and flu season, or when someone in the household is unwell, it can be helpful to give these areas some extra attention.
Some of the most common high-touch surfaces in the home include:
- handles on external and internal doors
- light switches
- taps
- the toilet flush button
- fridge, freezer, oven and microwave handles
- cupboard and drawer handles
- dining tables and kitchen worktops
- remote controls
- mobile phones, tablets, keyboards and computer mice
- house and car keys
- handles and shafts on cleaning tools
You do not need to clean and disinfect every surface in your home all the time. Focus primarily on the areas that members of the household touch most often.
How to disinfect high-touch surfaces
The hallway is a good place to start. The front door handle, internal doors, coat hooks and light switches are often touched before people have had a chance to wash their hands.
First remove any visible dirt from the surface. Then use the SINI Disinfectant Cleaner according to the instructions on the packaging. Always check that the product is suitable for the material and test it on an inconspicuous area first if you are unsure.
Disinfectant cleaner for surfaces around the home
When you need to clean several surfaces or want to combine cleaning with disinfecting, choose the SINI Disinfectant Cleaner.
The peppermint-scented cleaner removes dirt and disinfects surfaces around the home. It is suitable for areas such as:
- kitchen worktops and sinks
- dining tables
- fridges and microwave ovens
- rubbish bins
- toilet and bathroom surfaces
- door handles
- children’s plastic toys and highchairs
- changing tables
- pet toys, sleeping areas and travel crates
The product can be used on water-resistant surfaces as well as wood and porous materials. Spray the cleaner onto the surface, leave it to work and then wipe the surface clean with a cloth. Always follow the instructions on the packaging and make sure the product is suitable for the material being treated.
Disinfecting high-touch surfaces in the toilet
In the toilet, pay particular attention to the areas that are touched before and immediately after washing your hands. These may include:
- the door handle
- the light switch
- the tap
- the toilet lid
- the flush button
- the toilet brush handle
Wipe the high-touch surfaces using the disinfectant cleaner according to the product instructions. Remember to clean the handles of your cleaning tools when necessary as well.
Apart from these areas, regular weekly cleaning and cleaning the toilet as needed are usually sufficient to maintain good hygiene.
When does the floor need disinfecting?
Disinfecting the floor may be necessary when urine, vomit, animal waste or other dirt requiring extra thorough cleaning has ended up on it. In these situations, it is best to remove the dirt as quickly and hygienically as possible.
The SINI Disinfecting Mop Cloth is a ready-to-use, fragrance-free disposable cloth for cleaning dirt that requires disinfection. The thick, generously sized mop cloth is suitable for use with the SINI Multipurpose Mop and a pad. It can also be used for localised disinfecting of other surfaces.
The disposable cloth can be discarded immediately after cleaning. This helps prevent dirt from being transferred to other areas of the home by the cleaning tool.
The product is intended for disinfecting when needed and not for regular floor cleaning. It is not suitable for porous surfaces and may damage delicate flooring materials, so always test it on an inconspicuous area first. Never flush the used cloth down the toilet.
Cleaning and removing odours after a stomach bug
During a stomach bug, dirt requiring extra thorough cleaning may end up on carpets, mattresses, sofas and other textile surfaces as well as the floor. Remove any visible dirt as soon as possible, then clean the surface according to the material’s care instructions.
The fragrance-free SINI Disinfecting Odour Remover disinfects and removes unpleasant odours caused by bacteria from textiles and surfaces. It is suitable for water-resistant carpets, mattresses, car seats and pet sleeping areas, as well as hard surfaces such as plastic, stone and tiles.
First remove any visible dirt from the surface. Then spray the Disinfecting Odour Remover onto the cleaned area and allow it to dry. Repeat the treatment if necessary. Always make sure the material is water-resistant and test the product on an inconspicuous area first.
The product can also be used in other situations where bacteria have caused unpleasant odours in textiles or on surfaces. It is suitable for treating sportswear, shoes and pet accessories, for example.
Disinfecting high-touch surfaces in the car
Cars also contain many surfaces that are touched frequently, including:
- door handles
- seat belt buckles
- the steering wheel
- the gear lever
- the handbrake
- touchscreens and controls
- car keys
Clean these surfaces according to the vehicle manufacturer’s care instructions and always check that the cleaning product is suitable for the material. The Disinfecting Odour Remover can be used to treat unpleasant odours in car seats and other water-resistant textile surfaces.
Cleaning mobile phones and other electronic devices
Mobile phones are often taken outside the home and touched repeatedly throughout the day. Keyboards, computer mice, tablets and remote controls also collect dirt from our hands.
Regularly wipe electronic devices with a clean, slightly damp cloth that is suitable for electronics. If you wish to use a disinfecting product, always check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions first. Alcohol and excessive moisture may damage the surface, protective film or coating of the device.
Never spray cleaning products directly onto electronic equipment.
Which disinfecting product should you choose?
High-touch surfaces and other surfaces around the home
Choose the SINI Disinfectant Cleaner when cleaning areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, door handles, children’s belongings or pet accessories.
Floors and dirt requiring extra hygiene
Choose the SINI Disinfecting Mop Cloth when removing urine, vomit or animal waste from the floor, for example.
Textiles and odours caused by bacteria
Choose the SINI Disinfecting Odour Remover for water-resistant carpets, mattresses and other textile surfaces. The product is also suitable for treating sportswear, shoes and pet accessories.
Frequently asked questions about disinfecting your home
Do high-touch surfaces need to be disinfected every day?
For everyday cleaning, it is not usually necessary to disinfect every high-touch surface in your home daily. However, it can be helpful to clean them more thoroughly during cold and flu season, when someone in the household is unwell or when a surface has come into contact with dirt that requires extra hygiene.
Which high-touch surfaces should you clean first?
Start with door handles, light switches, taps, the toilet flush button and the handles on the fridge and other household appliances. These surfaces are touched frequently throughout the day.
Can you disinfect the floor with a mop cloth?
The Disinfecting Mop Cloth is suitable for localised disinfecting of floors when cleaning up urine, vomit or animal waste, for example. It is not recommended for regular floor cleaning, porous surfaces or delicate flooring materials without first testing it on an inconspicuous area.
How can you disinfect and freshen textiles?
The Disinfecting Odour Remover can be used on water-resistant textiles. It is suitable for sportswear, shoes, carpets, mattresses and pet accessories, for example. Always check the material’s care instructions and test the product on an inconspicuous area first.
How can you help maintain good hygiene at home?
Thorough handwashing, regularly cleaning frequently touched surfaces and keeping personal belongings separate when someone is unwell can all help maintain good hygiene at home. Use disinfecting products when needed and always follow the product instructions.