Cleaning house after a stomach virus?

**Hoosier Momma** · 01-10-2007, 03:51 PM

In a span of 5 days, four of us got sick...first me, then dd#2, then ds and dd#1. It was the dreaded norovirus, so you can imagine how fun that has been. Everyone is better now (dh had it before Christmas), and yesterday I did the following:

Washed all the sheets

Washed all the towels

Washed all clothes that the kids had been sick in and ones we wore while caring for them

Washed all the kids' beloved stuffed animals they cuddle with

Scrubbed down the bathrooms with bleach water (and Clorox with bleach for the sinks and tubs)

Mopped the floors with bleach water

Wiped down frequently handled things like doorknobs, lightswitches, etc.

Washed out trash cans with bleach water

What else should I do to get this nasty bug from my house?

**favesis37** · 01-10-2007, 03:55 PM

hope all is better! good luck

**Emerald_Mommy** · 01-10-2007, 04:26 PM

Sounds like you're on top of things! We also always spray things like the phone, computer area, hard toys (doll houses, Duplos, etc) with Lysol.

**LastDragonfly** · 01-10-2007, 04:31 PM

Dont forget to change toothbrushes.

**Hoosier Momma** · 01-10-2007, 06:07 PM

Ack! Toothbrushes...forgot about that one. Thanks for reminding me!

I have been wiping down toys and stuff as much as possible, but I will probably make a run through the playroom tomorrow to see what I might have missed.

**SewCrafty** · 01-10-2007, 06:23 PM

Also don't forget your car and carseats.

Hope you are all well on the way to feeling better.

**Chef4You** · 01-10-2007, 06:36 PM

You got the light switches, door knobs and phone. The remote is a biggie. Also if you have lamps, the turn on/off knobs on them. The door handles, steering wheels to all vehicles. Hope you stay healthy!

**MOMMYDEAREST** · 01-10-2007, 07:32 PM

oh that norovirus is a nasty bug. i had it about a month ago & i thought i was dying, i have never felt that bad before in my life. glad you are all feeling well. i always spray lysol after everyone is done getting sick!!

**PrairieRose** · 01-10-2007, 09:42 PM

Don't forget the telephone and water faucets.. you can throw those toothbrushes in the dishwasher.

**staceyy** · 01-11-2007, 12:20 AM

You can also boil a cup of water and stick toothbrush in the hot water.

**wildflowerpa** · 01-11-2007, 07:25 AM

According to our local hospital the only thing that will kill the virus is any bleach based cleaner.Nothing wlse will kill it. Also you are contagious for up to 2 weeks after you've had it. We all had it here one right after the other. My house now smells like a swimming pool lol but hopefully it took care of it. Sorry to hear you were sick

**miss_thrifty** · 01-11-2007, 12:11 PM

i buy cheap toothbrushes throw them out often. From dollar store

**miss_thrifty** · 01-11-2007, 12:12 PM

sorry forgaot to say , glad your feeling better, and back on your feet. I heard about that flu, havent had it yet.

**Hoosier Momma** · 01-11-2007, 01:40 PM

Well, the toothbrushes need to be replaced anyway (I think I bought them in September, about the time we moved into the house). I am having dh get some Lysol on the way home from work today and spray down some stuff.

I am still tired from nursing the kids back to health, and dd#2 has been getting up 6:30ish the last few mornings, so she is a crank. Dh went to bed at 8:30 last night! I wish I could fall asleep so easily. I stayed up for a while and cross-stitched for a bit (the first time in weeks) and then read for a bit before turning in.

No one in the house is allowed to get sick until spring!