Why Deep Cleaning Matters More During Flu Season

As the weather turns colder and flu season makes its annual comeback, we naturally spend more time indoors, and so do germs. Flu and cold viruses spread mainly through droplets when someone coughs or sneezes. Most people tend to keep the windows closed during the cold months of the year, but the lack of fresh air combined with working heating creates a closed-loop system where germs, viruses, and bacteria have the perfect chance to linger and spread.

Regular cleaning helps, but during flu season, that’s not enough. Viruses can survive on certain surfaces for days. That’s where deep cleaning comes in: it reaches the places ordinary cleaning can’t, helping you create a healthier, fresher space for your family.

Read also: Precautions and Prevention of Contracting and Spreading Covid-19 (Coronavirus)

Why Flu Season Demands Extra Cleaning Care

While we often focus on droplets, the truth is that microbes survive on surfaces longer than most people realise. The flu virus, for instance, can remain infectious on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours and on softer surfaces like fabric or cloth for up to 12 hours.

Also, the air inside our homes often becomes dry and stagnant in winter, helping germs circulate more easily and trapping them indoors. Add in a busy family life, shared devices, and less ventilation, and it’s easy to see why so many homes become breeding grounds for illness during the colder months.

If you’d like more advice on tackling flu-related germs, check out our older post: 10 Things You Should Clean to Prevent a Flu Outbreak at Home and 10 Things You Should Clean to Prevent a Flu Outbreak at Home – Part 2

What Makes Deep Cleaning Different

Regular home cleaning focuses on keeping your home tidy and removing visible dirt. Deep cleaning, on the other hand, goes several layers further. It involves cleaning and sanitising areas that are often overlooked, using antibacterial cleaners and, in the case of professional deep cleaning services, specialised equipment and antiviral cleaning products that eliminate bacteria, viruses, and mould spores. If you already have a regular cleaner, scheduling a professional deep cleaning session before or during flu season can significantly reduce the risk of illness spreading at home.

Alternatively, services like our Antiviral Sanitisation London cover everything from kitchen tiles and bathroom grout to behind furniture, under appliances, and inside cupboards. We use high-quality, eco-friendly antiviral products that kill up to 99.999% of viruses and bacteria while being safe for children and pets.

Check also: 7 Benefits of Hiring Professionals to Clean Your Home

Germ Hotspots You’re Probably Overlooking

Even the tidiest homes have hidden areas where viruses and bacteria accumulate.

1. Soft Furnishings: Carpets, Sofas, and Curtains

When it comes to sanitising our homes, soft furnishings are often overlooked, yet they hide a ton of microbes. Pathogens, dust, pet dander, and sweat settle deep into fabrics and fibres. While vacuuming helps, only steam or hot-water extraction cleaning can effectively penetrate, sanitise, and refresh them. Professional carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning are carried out with powerful machines and safe detergents to remove built-up dirt and eliminate bacteria and viruses.

Read also: How to Clean Vomit and Get Rid of the Sick Smell out of Your Car

2. Kitchens and Bathrooms

Warm, humid environments make it easy for bacteria and mould to thrive. Countertops, taps, handles, and grout are some of the most contaminated areas in any home. Wiping can polish these surfaces, but it won’t remove harmful bacteria. As a first step, you need to clean bathroom and kitchen surfaces regularly with soap and water during the flu season, and daily if you have a sick family member, to prevent the virus from spreading.

You can find our detailed guides on how you can clean these areas in your home in our posts: How to Clean Your Kitchen Like a Pro and The Ultimate Bathroom Cleaning Guide

If you want to make sure your home is properly sanitised after a flu outbreak, consider booking an antiviral sanitisation service, as it targets these areas with powerful disinfectants.

3. Frequently Touched Surfaces

Think about how many times a day you touch light switches, door handles, and remote controls. These high-contact surfaces easily spread germs from person to person, so wiping them down daily with an antibacterial product is essential. Avoid dry dusting or sweeping, as this can move viruses into the air. Always use damp cleaning methods, like wet rags or sanitising wipes, to safely capture microbes.

Read also: Benefits of Professional Antiviral Sanitisation

4. Bedding and Mattresses

When someone in your household has been sick, bedding can quickly collect germs from sweat, coughing, and sneezing. To stop the spread of germs during flu season, wash all sheets and pillowcases weekly at 60∘°C, and don’t forget to clean the pillows and duvets occasionally too. Mattresses, too, can harbour germs, especially after flu and respiratory infections, so consider booking a mattress cleaning after someone has been unwell. This service eliminates germs, dust mites, and allergens that can affect breathing and sleep quality.

Check also: How Often to Clean Your Mattress for Healthier Sleep

Hot water extraction deep cleans to kill bacteria and viruses, leaving your home fresher and safer for the whole family!

How Professional Cleaning Helps Prevent Infections

A professional deep clean isn’t just about the appearance of your home, it’s more about proactive hygiene and peace of mind. Our teams use commercial-grade machines that can reach temperatures high enough to kill bacteria and viruses without the need for harsh chemicals. Families with young children, elderly relatives, or people living with asthma benefit especially from antiviral cleaning. Cleaner air and germ-free surfaces mean fewer respiratory irritants and a lower risk of infection spreading indoors.

Read also: The Hidden Allergens in Your Home (and How to Get Rid of Them)

When Should You Book a Professional Deep Cleaning Service?

You don’t have to wait for someone to get sick to book a deep cleaning, as prevention is far better than cure. Here are a few ideal times:

• Before flu season, to prepare your home for winter.
• After someone’s been ill, to remove lingering germs.
• After big gatherings, when more people mean more exposure.
• When moving in or out of a property, to start fresh.

Hiring a professional deep cleaning service once or twice a year is a simple way to keep your home hygienic, fresh, and more comfortable.

Read also: Which Seasons Are Best for Deep Cleaning?

How to Maintain Hygiene Between Professional Visits

Here are a few quick habits to help maintain a healthier, flu-free home between deep cleans:

• Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces daily (light switches, door handles, remote controls, phones).
• Open windows for at least 10 minutes a day, even in winter, to improve air circulation.
• Wash bedding and towels weekly at 60∘°C to kill pathogens.
• Replace cleaning sponges and cloths regularly to prevent the spread of bacteria.

You can check our tips on how to keep your house clean in our posts: 8 Surprising Tips to Help Your Home Stay Clean Longer – Part 1 and 8 Surprising Tips to Help Your Home Stay Clean Longer – Part 2

Even with the best routine, everyday cleaning can’t reach every corner. A periodic professional clean ensures no hidden germs remain.

Breathe Easier This Flu Season 

Flu season doesn’t have to mean endless colds at home. A cleaner, more hygienic space helps protect your family’s health and makes your home feel fresher and more comfortable. If you want to stay one step ahead of the flu, The Happy House Cleaning team can help. From antiviral sanitisation and deep cleaning to carpet, mattress, and upholstery cleaning, we’ll make your home a healthier place to live so that you can breathe easier all winter long. Book a cleaner today to make sure your home is ready for the flu season ahead.