As winter illnesses surge, a professional cleaner has unveiled a simple ten-minute routine used by hotels that can shield your home from harmful germs. This quick method focuses on the spots most likely to harbour viruses and bacteria, offering a powerful defence against seasonal flu and colds.
The Hotel Housekeeping Secret: Target High-Touch Points
Indiana Greene, a cleaning expert from Clean Spring Flowers, explains that hotel staff maintain impeccable standards across hundreds of rooms by prioritising what they call the "high-touch" rule. Instead of starting with large areas like floors, they first give individual attention to the small surfaces touched countless times each day.
"While cleaning a surface is one thing, hotel housekeeping jobs always prioritise high-touch points, which are often sources of germs," Indiana stated. "This means light switches, door handles, remote controls, and alarm clocks get individual attention with disinfectant."
Why Your Cleaning Routine Might Be Spreading Germs
A common mistake made in home cleaning is tackling major tasks first. However, these frequently touched smaller surfaces are used multiple times daily and are rarely wiped down after someone coughs or returns from outdoors. Consequently, bacteria accumulates invisibly.
If you turn on a light or open a door with dirty hands while cleaning, you are effectively spreading germs around your home, increasing the risk of catching the flu or another virus. The solution is straightforward and takes just ten minutes.
Your 10-Minute Disinfection Checklist
Focus your quick clean on these critical high-touch areas:
- Door handles and knobs
- Light switches and power sockets
- TV remote controls and gaming pads
- Mobile phones, tablets, and keyboards
- Kitchen and bathroom taps
- Appliance buttons on cookers, washing machines, and dishwashers
Indiana emphasised a crucial non-negotiable rule to prevent cross-contamination: "Always use a fresh cloth for each room... Never use the same cloth or sponge in the kitchen that was used in the bathroom. Always clean guest areas before cleaning bins or toilets."
By adopting this focused hotel cleaning technique, you can efficiently disinfect your home and create a stronger barrier against winter viruses. This simple shift in routine is your best defence for a healthier season.
