Clean high-traffic areas such as kitchen surfaces, bathroom surfaces, and bedding once per week. Deep clean other areas every three months to a year. How you use a space can help you figure out how often it should be cleaned, with areas where eating, bathing, and food prep occur getting the most frequent attention.

While a biohazard cleanup sounds like a scary process, knowing what to expect can help ease your concerns and set you up for success. It’s good to note that more than one professional might be needed depending on your situation, but that will be determined during the assessment. What you can expect during a home biohazard cleanup is the following:

• Assessment: The first step in this process is for a biohazard cleanup professional to assess the damage. They create a report that includes the biohazard safety level, the needed damage cleanup, and the time it should take to complete the project. 

• Setup: The cleanup professional prepares the site to prevent cross-contamination and reduce toxicity risk. This process can include tarping and creating decontamination zones. 

• Removal of surface contamination: Any contaminated materials are removed from the area, starting with large materials followed by small ones. The professional can assess any floor-related damage once everything is removed from the site. 

• Salvaging items: The biohazard cleanup professionals assess which items can be saved and which are contaminated beyond the point of saving. Those deemed unsafe will be disposed of immediately. 

• Waste disposal: The next step is carefully disposing of the hazardous waste. Your professional will place the contaminated items in specific containers to keep the contamination from spreading.   

• Disinfection: The house will be disinfected and odor-neutralized. Even more minor details, like light switches and bulbs, will be disinfected so that they do not recontaminate the area in the future. 

• Restoration: Once the decontamination is complete, the last step is to restore the home. This includes repairing the damage to flooring, walls, or even the home's foundation.  

Though it may seem like a lot of work to keep an attic in tip-top shape, the truth is that you only need to deep clean this space once a year. In the meantime, check on it roughly once a month to make sure there are no leaks, remove cobwebs, and air out unwanted odors to ensure it looks and feels great between annual cleaning sessions.

After clearing away crumbs and other debris, using a store-bought cleaner that is safe for use inside of your refrigerator is the best way to clean your fridge. If you’d rather opt for a DIY solution, we share a great one above using baking soda and vinegar.