As the weather warms up and the final stretch of the school year approaches, elementary students are more active than ever—running around at recess, trading toys and snacks, and coming home with a backpack full of projects, worksheets and … germs! 

While cold and flu season peaks in winter, germs won’t disappear when spring arrives. According to the CDC, respiratory illnesses ranging from seasonal colds to RSV remain elevated nationwide. Kids can spread germs at school by touching desks, doorknobs and lunch tables—and those germs can easily make their way through your home’s front doors. That’s why spring cleaning is an excellent opportunity to disinfect your home and help keep germs from spreading where your family eats, plays, and unwinds. 

Cleaning vs. Disinfecting: What’s the Difference? 

To understand how to properly kill bacteria and viruses on the surfaces your family encounters daily, it’s important to recognize how they got there and how to keep them at bay. When it comes to fighting germs, cleaning and disinfecting are not the same thing.  

• Cleaning: removes impurities, dirt, and some germs using soap and water but doesn’t necessarily kill them. However, removing them from surfaces lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. 

• Disinfecting: kills germs on surfaces by using specialized products to reduce the chance of them spreading. Lysol® Disinfecting Wipes and Lysol® Disinfectant Spray help eliminate 99.9% of viruses and bacteria on commonly touched surfaces when used as directed. 

For best results, clean first, then disinfect. Wipe away dirt and messes with soap and water, then follow up with a disinfectant to kill lingering germs and lower the risk of spreading infection. 

Kids Bring Home Germs from School 

Just as it’s easy to transmit germs to the classroom, germs can also hitch a ride home. For example, a child’s backpack that sat on the lunchroom floor can make its way to your kitchen countertop after school.  

Cleaning and disinfecting practices at home are critical to keeping your home fresh. Here’s how your family can tackle germs this season: 

• Focus on high-touch surfaces: Disinfect places kids touch constantly—doorknobs, TV remotes and kitchen counters. 

• Clean out backpacks and lunchboxes: Wipe down lunch boxes and school supplies with Lysol® Disinfecting Wipes to help prevent bacteria buildup and kill lingering germs. 

• Freshen up soft surfaces: Items like stuffed animals and car seats can harbor germs. Use Lysol® Disinfectant Spray to disinfect these soft surfaces. 

• Encourage handwashing routines: Remind kids to wash their hands as soon as they get home from school to stop the spread of germs around the house. 

For more cleaning tips and information on Lysol disinfecting products, visit lysol.com.