My first post! I just arrived yesterday to check on a family member who lives across the country, and long story short, it's not good. She went to ER today, pretty certain with c diff, and I need to clean/disinfect while she's gone. Doing the whole house is not feasible -- massive clutter. Can anyone tell me, other than bathroom, bed, and laundry, what is absolutely critical? I did get laundry sanitizer and bleach and am going to town on it. Thank you! PS -- tips on cleaning leather chair would be helpful too.
The origin of the infection was definitely a nursing facility -- but I'm hopeful that thorough cleaning means less chance of getting it again from germs lingering at home.
The cleaning advice from Katefalc is excellent....a couple of additional suggestions.
Alcohol gel does NOT remove C. diff organism from your hands, or alcohol wipes on surfaces. A bleach based cleaner will.
Do wash your hands with soap and water and use paper towels to turn off faucets and dry your hands. Put on gloves. Try not to touch anything until you are in her bedroom, and then do what she needs.
All of the clothing that she wears should be placed into a trash bag and loosely tied up. Put bag in garage or out on the steps until you can wash and dry the items.
If she is incontinent (very common) bag up her trash the same way, and tie tightly. Can go out with regular municipal pickup. Same for gloves, used bath wipes, TP, etc.
A waterproof mattress cover will help protect the mattress if that is important.
Think about wearing an extra shirt or sweater when you are in close contact with her, to prevent transfer to spores to your clothing. Then remove the extra garment, turn it inside out (dirty sides folded inward, the clean sides on the outside), and leave it outside of her bedroom or bathroom.
Do wash your hands with soap and water and use paper towels to turn off faucets and dry your hands. Put on gloves. Try not to touch anything until you are in her bedroom, and then do what she needs.
Good luck!
While you are cleaning Gloves. If you leave the room you are cleaning remove the gloves and toss them out and wash your hands. When you return to cleaning glove up again.
Try not to touch your face while you are cleaning
And as long as you have them handy wear a mask. Change masks like you change gloves.