Now that the weather is getting nicer out, it’s time to start Spring Cleaning!  Spring cleaning isn’t just about getting the surface clean, it’s about getting the germs that have accumulated over the winter out of the house.  One of the first things on my list is to take everything out of the cabinets and wipe them all down with Lysol.  This way I know they are clean and germ-free.   Since I clean the surfaces that we use every day with Lysol, I don’t worry so much about them.

Then I move into the kid’s rooms wipe down as many of their toys as I can.  The kids seem to carry the most germs since they are in school so giving their toys a good cleaning is a good way to cut back on germs.   This can be very time-consuming but it’s so worth it knowing all the germs are gone.

Another thing I do very thoroughly is wipe down all the door handles (both sides!) and light switches.  We touch those several times a day so they probably have the most germs. If you do this often, you won’t need to do a weekly deep cleaning job.

Lysol has a new initiative that aims to introduce families to a Healthy lifestyle, which focuses on shifting how we look at cleaning by taking a more conscious approach. Centered on keeping families as healthy as possible, Healthing urges us to look beyond just cleaning and promotes small changes throughout our hygiene and cleaning routines. For example, not only should we take the time to regularly clean and disinfect our kids’ toys, but we should also make sure they understand the importance of hand washing. LYSOL is doing its part by teaming up with local YMCAs across the country to teach families about Healing.

Here are some Lysol Healthing Tips to help you with your Spring cleaning.

1. Don’t let spring cleaning overwhelm you – take it one room at a time and stock up on products that will help you to get the job done effectively, including LYSOL^® products, paper towels, sponges, and trash bags.
2. Know the difference between cleaning and disinfecting! Both are important components of the Healing process and LYSOL^® has products that can help with all related tasks. While cleaning and organizing are certainly important, killing germs on commonly touched surfaces can lower the risk of spreading bacteria and viruses between members of the family.
3. Start with the basics – wipe down easy-to-reach surfaces and then move on to the little nooks and crannies.
4. Remember to dust around wall art, photographs, and woodwork.
5. Use a disinfectant product, like LYSOL^® Disinfecting Wipes, to help ensure you’re killing germs as you clean, and think beyond the usual places. Be sure to clean even the smallest surfaces, such as light switches.
6. Don’t forget to disinfect places that you don’t see or think about often, like the door knobs, cabinet handles, or sink drains. 
7. Make it a family activity and tailor tasks to specific age groups.  Give younger children simpler, one-step tasks like dusting or picking toys up off the floor, and save the more complex jobs, such as vacuuming, scrubbing, and disinfecting for older members of the family.
8. Remember to practice proper hand washing as well after you clean, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer. Hand washing is the single most important thing you can do to prevent illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).