While you’re scrubbing floors and washing linens, make time for some health-related spring cleaning tasks too. Check out our to-do list in the video above and find out more in the details below.
Clean and disinfect your home
Spring cleaning doesn't just feel good, it offers measurable health benefits. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has found that spring cleaning can help reduce allergens like pet dander, dust and mold from your home.
To prevent the spread of germs, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends cleaning high-touch surfaces often. These include tables, door and cabinet knobs, light switches, countertops, desks, phones, keyboards, bathroom fixtures and remote controls.
Be sure to use the right products for the surfaces you’re cleaning. These may include:
- Household disinfectants
- Diluted bleach solutions
- 70% alcohol solutions
- Hot, soapy water
Always follow the label instructions on your cleaning products, and store them out of reach of children and pets!
Organize your medicine cabinet
Now is a great time to get rid of any prescription and over-the-counter medications that have expired or that you no longer take.
Box them up and bring them to a drug take-back site, or follow these steps for home disposal:
- Crush and dissolve medications with water and add coffee grounds or kitty litter to prevent children or pets from ingesting them.
- Place the mixture in a sealed container and throw in the trash.
- Remove identifying information from packaging before placing in the trash or recycling bin.
You can also bring them to a Carilion Clinic Pharmacy and drop them discreetly in a take-back kiosk. While you’re at it, restock your first-aid supplies so you’re ready for any minor injuries that happen at home.
Tidy up your refrigerator
That fuzzy science experiment in the back of the fridge needs to go! Throw out anything that has begun to rot or smell, and scrub each drawer and surface with warm, soapy water.
To restock, bring home a variety of fresh, healthy foods along with the shelf-stable staples you're picking up at the grocery store.
When you get home, wash your hands, and disinfect the surfaces you touched along the way. Then wash your fruits and vegetables with running water before putting them away.
Tip: Instead of hiding vegetables in the crisper drawer, store them in clear containers where you’re more likely to see them. Just wash them and chop into snack-sized pieces for a ready-anytime snack.
Refresh your resolutions
Spring is a great time to assess your goals, your progress and your strategies for reaching them.
Michael Gallant, clinical programs manager at Carilion Wellness, offers tips for:
- Refreshing your exercise goals
- Boosting your nutrition
- Getting enough rest to recover from your efforts
By incorporating these tasks into your spring cleaning to-do list, you can create a cleaner, healthier home for yourself and your family.
