Befriending My Home

We’ve all been there—days (or weeks) of sniffling, coughing, and binging our favorite comfort shows while wrapped in a blanket burrito. Being sick is the absolute worst. But you know what’s also terrible? The aftermath.

Once you start feeling human again, you suddenly realize your home has become a post-apocalyptic wasteland of used tissues, empty soup bowls, and the faint scent of menthol lingering in the air. It’s time to reclaim your space!

I’m recovering from the flu, and here is how I hit the reset button on my home to fully recover in a fresh, clean environment.

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Lauriane @ Befriending My Home

1. Change Your Bedding (Because It’s Basically a Germ Trap)

Your bed has been your sickbay, your fortress, and your one safe haven. But let’s be honest—it’s also been a petri dish of germs, sweat, and I-don’t-want-to-know-what-else.

Strip those sheets, pillowcases, and blankets and toss them in the wash with hot water. If you’ve been especially cozy with your pillow, consider swapping it out or at least giving it a good disinfecting spray. Your future well-rested self will thank you.

2. Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces (Yes, That Includes Your Phone)

We touch a lot of things without thinking, and when we’re sick, we turn into germ-spreading machines. Doorknobs, light switches, remotes, phones, bathroom fixtures—wipe them all down with a disinfectant. Your phone, in particular, probably carries more germs than a public restroom, so don’t skip it! Yes, that was a gross image, but am I wrong?

Bonus points: if you give your laptop keyboard and mouse a good wipe-down, too. Who knows how many sneezes they endured during your sick days?

3. Air Out Your Home (Because Stale Sick Air is a Whole Mood—A Bad One)

There’s something about being sick that makes the air in your home feel thick and gross. Open up those windows for at least 30 minutes and let some fresh air in. If the weather’s nice, go wild and let the whole place breathe.

Stagnant, germ-filled air doesn’t stand a chance against a good breeze!

4. Wash Towels & Clothes (Your Favorite Hoodie Deserves a Fresh Start)

If you’ve been living in the same sweatpants for the past week (no judgment), it’s time to let them go—at least temporarily. Toss all the clothing, pajamas, blankets, and towels you used while sick into the wash.

Use warm water and a disinfecting detergent if possible. It’ll feel so good when it’s fresh and clean.

5. Sanitize Your Sleep & Rest Areas (Your Couch Knows Too Much)

If you spent most of your sick days marathoning TV from the couch, it probably needs a little love. I personally binge-watched “High Potential” and “The Recruit” Season 2. Love them, but yes, my couch now needs to become a germ free area!

Give cushions and mattresses a good vacuuming and spritz them with a fabric-safe disinfectant. If you have washable covers, toss them in the laundry. Your living space should smell fresh, not like the ghost of flu seasons past.

6. Deep Clean the Bathroom

The bathroom took a hit during your illness—there’s no sugarcoating it. Scrub down the sink, faucet knobs, and toilet, paying extra attention to high-touch areas.

Swap out your old toothbrush (or disinfect it by boiling it in water for a few minutes). A sparkling-clean bathroom will make you feel like you’ve officially moved on from the sick phase of your life.

7. Replace Air Filters & Purify the Air (Bye, Lingering Germs!)

If you have an air purifier, now’s the time to clean or replace its filter. If you don’t, you can still freshen up your space by boiling water with a few drops of eucalyptus or tea tree essential oil.

It’ll help purify the air and give your home a spa-like vibe. Who doesn’t want their space to smell like an upscale wellness retreat?

8. Take Out the Trash (Because It’s a Biohazard Zone at This Point)

Used tissues, empty medicine blister packs, takeout containers from your “I’m too sick to cook” phase—get it all out. Take out the trash, wipe down the bin, and put in a fresh liner. You’ll be amazed at how much lighter and fresher your space feels with all the sick-day remnants gone.

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Bonus Tip: Be Kind to Yourself

Cleaning up after an illness can feel overwhelming, so take it one step at a time. Hydrate, move slowly, and allow yourself to ease back into your routine. Your home (and body) will thank you for the extra TLC. Also, since you have a weakened immune system, make sure you make these fantastic homemade immune system juice booster shots. Get yourself back on track.

The next time you find yourself recovering from a nasty bug, save this guide to make the post-sickness reset a little easier. Because nothing says, “I’m back and better than ever!” like a clean, germ-free home. 💙

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