How to sanitize after the flu. . .

softball1

I had a temperature and the "flu" yesterday... I am looking at my couch and throw pillows where I laid and slept all day and last night. I was wondering what the safest way to disinfect or sanitize the pillow and couch would be.

I have read you can use lysol but when I read the back of the spraycan, it says can be harmful to humans and domestic animals. I don't want to spray that on my couch and pillows and then lay my head on the pillows. I guess it doesn't seem all that safe to me.

 SO i am asking if anyone has had/have the flu and what they did to get sanitized afterwards. I am 38 weeks pregnant so our baby could come any day now and I'd like to get my house sterilized before we bring him home.

 Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks

brianabrad

We had the stomach flu and basically wiped down the entire house with Lysol wipes. We have a leather couch so we went ahead and wiped it down too. I honestly didn't do anything with the throw pillows but I changed all the sheets and washed all the blankets we had been using to cover and cuddle on the couch with.

Necack

I haven't had the flu yet, but a great, safe, all natural cleaner/germ killer is a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water. You could spray it on your stuff and let it dry. If the smell of vinegar bothers you, add a few drops of an essential oil. 

 

82Sonia

I'd put all the throw pillows in the dryer on high heat for 15-20 minutes to kill the germs on there.  I can't think of much you can do for an upholstered couch other than a light mist of Lysol. 

zonagirlie

Lysol then throw them in the dryer.

JennV514

I spray everything down with rubbing alcohol.

RosekittyS

If you have access to one, steam cleaner. We've used a shark hand held steam cleaner on some of the used baby stuff we got. No chemicals, just have to let dry.

Ellei03

Viruses and bacteria typically don't survive for more than 48 hours on a dry surface. They last longer on a nonporous surface than a porous surface, like your couch. The average duration of a virus on a soft, porous surface is 20 mins. So i wouldn't stress about it.