Spring cleaning for health: germ hotspots in your home
Medically reviewed by Dr. Betsy Koickel, MD on March 24th, 2026.
Spring cleaning can welcome a new, warmer season and help your home feel refreshed after a dreary winter. It can also help rid high-touch surfaces of germs and clear indoor allergens that tend to stay put when windows are closed.
This can help ensure your family remains healthy during the spring season, putting those winter germs behind you. If you are getting ready to tackle this task, here is a spring cleaning checklist of germ hotspots you may want to tackle.
What is spring cleaning?
Spring cleaning is a deeper clean that goes beyond day-to-day tidying. It may involve decluttering, refreshing your home for warmer weather, and cleaning areas that are often overlooked. Additionally, a good place to focus is on high-touch surfaces where winter germs may linger.
The goal of spring cleaning is to refresh and reset your home after the winter months to create a fresh and healthy living space for you and your family.
Importance of spring cleaning for health
Decluttering and deep cleaning are great ways to support your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. A tidy environment reduces stress and makes your home feel like the sanctuary it should be.
But a clean home also has some physical benefits for your health. These include:
- Improved air quality
- Lowering the risk of seasonal allergies
- Reducing harmful bacteria and viruses
These benefits make spring cleaning a simple but powerful way to support both your family’s health and your overall sense of well-being.
Germ hotspots in your home
Where should you start tackling those hotspots where germs gather? Here is a spring cleaning list to help you get started:
Kitchen
The kitchen has multiple high-touch surfaces that need more than just a quick wipe down. This might include countertops, cabinet handles, appliance buttons, and refrigerator doors. Be sure to use a new sponge before you get started, as it can harbor germs and spread them around while cleaning.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are a perfect environment for germs due to moisture and frequent contact. Focus on disinfecting faucets, toilet handles, light switches, and shower surfaces. Clean or replace your toothbrush holder and bath mats, which can accumulate bacteria and mold.
Living room
While the living room might not seem like a germ hotspot, there are actually a few high-touch items that should be cleaned. Remote controls, light switches, and shared electronics can carry bacteria and viruses. Also consider washing throw blankets and pillows to reduce dust and allergens.
Bedrooms
Similar to the living room, bedrooms also have high-touch surfaces like light switches, phone chargers, and door handles. Wash sheets and pillowcases regularly and vacuum carpets or rugs to help maintain a cleaner sleep environment.
Entryway
The entryway is one of the main ways germs enter your home from the outside. Clean doorknobs, light switches, shoe storage areas, and floors regularly to prevent outside germs and dirt from spreading throughout the house.
Family-friendly tips to keep your home germ-free
A great way to keep your home clean is to involve the whole family in a spring cleaning project. This helps kids learn the importance of a clean space for mental and physical well-being.
Establish a cleaning routine
Spring cleaning is a great place to start, but a regular cleaning routine can help maintain the cleanliness all year. Focus on high-touch areas and adjust frequency based on how often spaces are used.
- Disinfect commonly touched surfaces weekly
- Tackle one room or task per day to avoid overwhelm
- Increase cleaning during illness or allergy season
Handwashing habits
Proper handwashing is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of germs in the home. Teach the whole family when to wash their hands and the proper technique.
- Wash your hands before eating or food prep
- Wash your hands when coming in from the outdoors
- Wash after using the bathroom, coughing, or sneezing
- Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Teach healthy habits
Helping family members build healthy habits supports a cleaner home long-term. A few of these family hygiene tips may include:
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow
- Disinfect shared items like phones, tablets, and remotes regularly
Health benefits of a germ-free home
A clean home helps the whole family stay healthy all year long. It reduces the risk of illnesses, like the cold, flu, or other infections. Removing dust and allergens can also improve air quality and lower the risk of seasonal allergies. The benefits go beyond physical wellness; a clean home also improves mental and psychological well-being for the whole family.
If you do happen to get sick this spring or are struggling with seasonal allergies, caring providers are here to help. To get started, find a center near you. You can walk in or save your spot online.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and family spring cleaning tips.
What are the most common germ hotspots in the home?
Common germ hotspots include kitchen countertops and sinks, bathroom fixtures, doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, and frequently used electronics.
How often should I disinfect my kitchen countertops?
Kitchen countertops should be disinfected daily, especially after food preparation, and immediately after handling raw meat or poultry.
What’s the best way to clean my bathroom to avoid germs?
Regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces like toilet handles, faucets, and light switches to keep the bathroom clean.
Can spring cleaning help reduce allergies in the home?
Yes, deep cleaning can remove dust, pet dander, and pollen that build up indoors, helping reduce common allergy triggers.
How can I keep my living room germ-free?
Wipe down high-touch items like remote controls and light switches weekly, and wash blankets, pillow covers, and other soft surfaces regularly to limit germ and allergen buildup.
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