How to disinfect your home after illness, according to experts
17 reported
A recent article from The Guardian, published July 8, 2026, offers guidance on properly disinfecting a home after someone has been sick. The advice comes from Dr. Chetan Jinadatha, a clinical professor at Texas A&M who researches infection spread in hospitals, and Maddy Baker, a school custodian in Nebraska. The article notes that flu viruses can stay contagious on hard surfaces from a few hours to two days, while they remain on hands for only five minutes. The CDC advises that disinfecting is not necessary all the time but is important when someone is sick or immuno-compromised. Key steps include starting with a clean surface, checking disinfectant labels for the correct illness classification, disinfecting daily during illness, and allowing disinfectants to sit for their required dwell time rather than wiping them away immediately.
What’s reported
Flu viruses stay contagious on hard surfaces from a few hours to two days, and on hands for only five minutes.
Cleaning removes germs; disinfecting kills germs and reduces illness spread.
The CDC advises disinfecting when someone is sick or immuno-compromised.
Dr. Chetan Jinadatha is a clinical professor at Texas A&M who researches infection spread in hospitals.
Maddy Baker is a school custodian based in Nebraska.
Disinfectants are less potent if applied to dirty surfaces because organic material can neutralize them.
Baker recommends a multi-purpose cleaner or degreaser like Zep, or dish soap and water for sensitive surfaces.
Baker prefers microfiber cloths for trapping dust and grime.
Disinfectant labels categorize illnesses by letters; for Covid-19, look for List N; for Ebola, List Q.
The EPA website lists which disinfectants have specific kill claims.
Jinadatha recommends disinfecting daily while someone is sick.
Jinadatha uses standard bleach with 5% to 10% concentration, diluted with water at a ratio of one to 10, applied and left for 3 to 5 minutes.
Baker likes OdoBan Disinfectant Concentrate, a hospital-grade option that is cost-efficient and acts as a deodorizer.
Disinfectants do not kill on contact; each product has a dwell time that must be followed.
Hospital-grade disinfectants include dwell time on their labels; commercial options may not.
The EPA holds hospital-grade disinfectants to a higher standard.
Killing Norovirus germs may require a longer dwell time than Covid-19.
Key figures
Dr. Chetan Jinadatha, clinical professor at Texas A&M
Maddy Baker, school custodian based in Nebraska
Sources: The Guardian
