In March and April, we always like to share a few cleaning tips with our readers. This March, everyone seems to be focused on what they can do to reduce the spread of germs. I’m not a doctor and I’m not with the CDC. The information I’m sharing in this article is based on precautions I had to take during chemotherapy when my immune system was weakened by my cancer treatments. I can’t guarantee you won’t get sick, but during these times of uncertainty, it’s reassuring to know you are being proactive.

1.       Wash your hands often with soap and water. Make sure you wash the fronts and backs of your hands and your wrists (roll up those sleeves). You must wash your hands for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice. Rinse your hands and dry them with a clean towel. Check out this link to the CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html. It will remind you of when and why you need to wash your hands. It also contains tips for using hand sanitizer correctly.

2.       Do not cover your mouth and nose with your hands when you cough or sneeze. Cough/sneeze into the bend of your arm. Always throw tissues away after use and wash your hands.

3.       Don’t touch your face with your hands.

4.       Be sure to clean items you touch often with sanitizing wipes, soap and water or vinegar and water. This includes doorknobs, the handle of your toilet, telephones, computers/laptops/tablets, faucets, light switches and your wallet/purse, computer carrying case/attaché case. Think about it - your purse, computer carrying case or attaché case goes most places you go. It gets thrown in the car, set on tables, counters and on the floor.

5.       Close the lid of the toilet before flushing.

6.       Store medicines in your kitchen and store your toothbrush in a UV sanitizer or in your bedroom to prevent germs from flushing the toilet from contaminating it.

7.       After putting away your groceries or other shopping, wipe down counters or tables. Wash the tops of cans before you open them.

8.       Wipe down the handles of brooms, mops, rakes and shovels.

9.       Many of us spend a lot of time in our cars. Wipe down the interior of your car often and your door handles. Vacuum your trunk if you place grocery bags and other items in there.

10.   While you are taking these safety precautions, it’s a good time to start your spring cleaning.

11.   Decluttering helps keep surfaces cleaner, so if you don’t need it, donate it or throw it away.

12.   Vacuum and dust floors and furniture.

13.   Wash or dry clean drapes/curtains

14.   Wipe down walls and baseboards.

15.   Clean out your closets

16.   Clean out your refrigerator and pantry – checking expiration dates on foods or any medicines you keep in the kitchen cupboard (it’s safer to store medicine in the kitchen than the bathroom because of moisture.

17.   Wash your windows if its warm enough outside (this might be an April chore for many of us)

18.   Change kitchen towels and bathroom towels often. Microwave kitchen dish cloths for 30-35 seconds after each use to kill germs. Avoid using sponges.

19.   Keep pet areas clean and wash your hands after touching your pets.

20.   Don’t let dirty laundry pile up

There you have it, 20 things you can do to stay healthier and kick off spring cleaning