Clean Yes, But Not Germ-Free

Spring cleaning rituals are underway here in the US, but while 75% of families clean their homes to remove dirt and to kill germs, nearly half (43%) do not use a disinfecting product to kill 99.9% of germs on hard surfaces, according to a survey by a group called the Global Hygiene Council.

To get the word out on the importance of disinfection, Reckitt Benckiser, maker of Lysol, has partnered with organization expert Justin Klosky to make this year's spring cleaning feel more attainable by arming families with the tips and tools they need to tackle the task in the most effective manner. The key to success is identifying hot spots for clutter and germs around the home and ensuring that these areas are both cleaned and disinfected to prevent the spread of harmful germs that can make families sick.

“When it comes to spring cleaning, getting the home in order to create a livable space and disinfecting to kill germs are the two key elements needed for a fresh start,” said Justin Klosky, author of Organize & Create Discipline: An A-to-Z Guide to an Organized Existence and founder of the O.C.D. Experience, a company committed to providing solutions for all organizational needs.

“It is Lysol's mission to give families the knowledge and tools they need to help stay healthy all year long,” said Gregory Chabidon, marketing director, Lysol. “This is why we go beyond cleaning in everything we do to make sure disinfection is also top of mind. Our Power & Free line of products go a step further by helping families accomplish a powerful clean and disinfect without leaving behind harsh chemical residue, making the products safer for every member of the family during spring cleaning – and beyond.”

To help consumers complete their cleaning task, Klosky created a Spring Cleaning Checklist, that includes:

Date Yourself: Set time in your smartphone calendar to hold yourself accountable for cleaning and reorganizing. This amount of time will be different for everyone depending on how much there is to get done, but book at least 15-30 minutes a day to start. Hold yourself accountable for the spring cleaning tasks you want to accomplish and get them done!

Touchy Feely: Most of us don't think of all of the things we are touching on a regular basis and yet seldom clean. Disinfect commonly touched surfaces like doorknobs, computer keyboards, remote controls and light switches, with Lysol Disinfecting Wipes to remove 99.9% of germs.

Donate: Start a donation bag and throw items in as a way to cut down on clutter around the home. Consider rewarding your children when they donate as a way to teach them responsibility with a great outcome.

Down and Dirty: Hone in on the quick, small chores that you've been brushing aside all year, saying, “I'll get to that later!” Examples include cleaning underneath heavy furniture to get rid of dust and lost bits of food, and wiping down the outdoor grill.

Tidy Tubs: Prevent the reappearance of mildew and soap scum in the bathroom by wiping down the tub and glass doors after every use, or replace your basic showerhead with a detachable handle so you can easily spray it down. For the wipe down, a microfiber cloth works wonders! Just keep it nearby and wipe. The 20 seconds it takes to do this will save hours of deep scrubbing later.

Trash the Trash: Make sure you throw out anything that could count as trash to start making room for the important things you want in your home. You should be throwing away trash every day and not letting it build up. Make it a habit to spray and wipe down your trash bin with LYSOL Power & Free Multi-Purpose Cleaner Trigger every time you take the trash out to prevent mildew and smells.

Look Down: How are those floors looking? A little grimy? To maintain spotless floors, instil a “no shoes” policy in your home. Passing a small vacuum over your floors daily will prevent dust bunnies from multiplying – and don't forget about those hard to reach places where dust, germs and hair collect.

More of Justin Klosky's cleaing tips can be found on Lysol's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Lysol.

More info: Lysol, www.lysol.com; Global Hygiene Council, www.hygienecouncil.com