The first day of school brings a fresh start—new teachers, new friends, and new routines. But it also brings an unwelcome guest into your home: germs. With classrooms full of shared surfaces, close contact, and the start of cooler weather, fall is prime time for colds, flu, and other bugs to spread.
While you can’t stop every sniffle, you can make your home a cleaner, healthier environment for your family. Here’s a targeted back-to-school germ defense plan that combines prevention, smart cleaning habits, and professional help.
1. Target High-Touch Surfaces Daily
Think about how many times your family touches doorknobs, light switches, fridge handles, and TV remotes every day. These are prime germ collection points—and during back-to-school season, kids bring home plenty from their classrooms.
- Daily wipe-down: Use a disinfectant wipe or spray safe for your surface type.
- Don’t forget the small stuff: Drawer pulls, faucet handles, and stair railings.
- Tip for busy households: Keep a basket of disinfectant wipes in high-traffic areas so it’s easy to do a 2-minute pass at the end of the day.
2. Keep Backpacks and Lunchboxes Clean
Backpacks go everywhere—school hallways, lunchrooms, buses—and they often get tossed on kitchen tables or beds. Lunchboxes can harbor crumbs and spills that attract bacteria.
- Weekly routine: Wipe down the outside and vacuum the inside of backpacks.
- Lunchbox care: Wash reusable lunch containers daily, and fully air-dry lunch bags before storing.
- Deep clean: Once a month, empty backpacks completely and wash them according to the care label.
3. Sanitize Electronics
Tablets, laptops, and smartphones are handled constantly—often right after eating or touching shared classroom supplies.
- Use the right cleaner: Choose alcohol-based screen wipes or a microfiber cloth dampened with a 50/50 water and isopropyl alcohol mix (never spray directly onto devices).
- Don’t forget accessories: Headphones, stylus pens, and chargers can also harbor germs.
4. Freshen Up Bedding More Often
Fall means more time indoors—and more exposure to allergens, dust mites, and germs in bedding.
- Weekly pillowcase changes: Especially important if kids are recovering from illness.
- Full sheet change every 1–2 weeks: Wash in hot water when possible.
- Extra layer of defense: Use mattress and pillow protectors that can be washed regularly.
5. Give the Bathroom Extra Attention
Bathrooms are already germ-prone, but when school is back in session, they need extra care.
- Daily quick clean: Wipe sink handles, toilet flush levers, and countertops.
- Toothbrush storage: Keep toothbrushes separated and in a dry holder to prevent bacteria spread.
- Laundry rule: Wash hand towels every 2–3 days during high-germ seasons.
6. Improve Indoor Air Quality
A clean home isn’t just about surfaces—airborne particles matter too.
- Replace HVAC filters: Every 1–3 months, or more often if you have pets.
- Dust vents and ceiling fans: Helps prevent circulating dust and allergens.
- Consider an air purifier: Especially in bedrooms or home offices.
7. Build a Family Hygiene Habit Loop
Cleaning alone won’t keep germs at bay—habits matter. Make it easy for kids (and adults!) to stick to healthy routines:
- Handwashing station: Keep soap, warm water, and hand towels easily accessible.
- After-school routine: Wash hands and change clothes right after arriving home.
- Teach the “cough pocket”: Encourage kids to cough or sneeze into their elbow, not their hands.
8. Call in Professional Help for a Seasonal Deep Clean
Even with the best daily routines, germs and allergens can hide in places you don’t have time to tackle—like baseboards, under furniture, or high-touch areas you forget.
Best Day Housecleaning offers deep cleaning services that:
- Sanitize high-touch zones.
- Remove dust buildup from hard-to-reach spots.
- Refresh kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms with attention to detail.
A professional cleaning at the start of the school year sets you up for a healthier, more manageable home environment—so you can focus on school schedules, not sick days.
Final Takeaway
Back-to-school season doesn’t have to mean back-to-back illnesses. With consistent daily habits, targeted germ-fighting strategies, and a professional seasonal deep clean, you can keep your home healthier well into fall.
Ready for your home’s back-to-school deep clean? Contact Best Day Housecleaning today and let us do the dirty work—so your family can focus on what matters most this school year.
