Cleaning and Disinfecting Bedrooms and Bathrooms When Someone Is Sick

If the sick person is able to clean

• Provide dedicated cleaning and disinfecting supplies to the person who is sick.
  • Supplies include tissues, paper towels, cleaners, and EPA List Nexternal icon.
• In shared spaces, the person who is sick should clean and disinfect surfaces and items after each use.

If the sick person cannot clean

Put on a mask and ask the sick person to put on a mask before entering the room.

• Wear gloves.
• Only clean and disinfect the area around the person who is sick when needed (when the area is soiled) to limit your contact with the person who is sick.
• Open outside doors and windows, and use fans and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) settings to increase air circulation.

After the person who was sick no longer needs to be separated

• Wear a mask when you enter the room to clean.
• Wait as long as possible (at least several hours) before you clean and disinfect. If you can wait 24 hours to clean the areas that the sick person used (such as the bedroom and bathroom), then you only need to clean (disinfection is not needed).
  • Use and store cleaning and disinfectant products safely and correctly.
  • Store these products securely and use personal protective equipment, like gloves and masks, that is appropriate for the cleaning and disinfection products.
  • Use products from EPA List Nexternal icon according to the instructions on the product label.

See precautions for household members and caregivers for more information.

Alternatively, wait a period of 3 days after the person who was sick was in the space; after 3 days, no additional cleaning (aside from regular cleaning procedures) is needed.

After eating

• Wear gloves when handling dishes and utensils for the person who is sick.
• Wash dishes and utensils with soap and hot water or in the dishwasher.
• Clean hands after taking off gloves or handling used items.

Handling trash

• Use a dedicated, lined trash can for the person who is sick.
• Use gloves when removing garbage bags and handling and disposing of trash.
• Wash hands after disposing of the trash.

Tips for using chemical disinfectants safely

• Always follow the directions on the label of cleaning and disinfection products to ensure safe and effective use.
• Wear gloves and consider glasses or goggles for potential splash hazards to eyes.
• Ensure adequate ventilation (for example, open windows).
• Use only the amount recommended on the label.
• If diluting with water is indicated for use, use water at room temperature (unless stated otherwise on the label).
• Label diluted cleaning or disinfectant solutions.
• Store and use chemicals out of the reach of children and pets.
• Do not mix products or chemicals.
• Do not eat, drink, breathe, or inject cleaning and disinfection products into your body or apply directly to your skin as they can cause serious harm.
• Do not wipe or bathe people or pets with any surface cleaning and disinfection products.
• Special considerations should be made for people with asthma. Some cleaning and disinfection products can trigger asthma. Learn more about reducing your chance of an asthma attack while disinfecting to prevent COVID-19.

See EPA’s Six Steps for Safe and Effective Disinfectant Useexternal icon