---
title: "Cleaning up vomit and diarrhoea after norovirus: steps"
description: "How to clean up vomit and diarrhoea with norovirus: gloves, paper towels, washing, chlorine disinfection, dilution, laundry and ventilation step by step."
url: https://uklid123.cz/en/blog/uklid-po-zvraceni-norovirus
language: en
updated: 2026-11-01
publisher: Úklid 1-2-3 (info@uklid123.cz, +420 608 486 486)
---

Home cleaning

# Cleaning up after vomiting and diarrhoea: what to do with norovirus and stomach bugs

How to clean up after vomiting and diarrhoea with norovirus: what to prepare, how to dilute a chlorine product, how long to leave it on and how to wash laundry.

Úklid 1-2-3 editorial team · Published 1 November 2026 · Last reviewed 1 November 2026 · 7 min read

## In short

- Wearing gloves, first wipe up vomit and stool with paper towels into a bag, and only then wash and disinfect the spot.
- On hard surfaces, use a chlorine product diluted according to its label and leave it on for at least 5 minutes.
- Wash laundry with detergent at the highest temperature and the longest programme that the care label allows.
- Alcohol gel is not reliably enough against norovirus, so wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Never mix chlorine products with other cleaning products, and ventilate while you work.

Clean up vomit or diarrhoea caused by norovirus while wearing disposable gloves: first wipe it up with paper towels and throw them away in a sealed bag, then wash the spot with water and detergent and disinfect it with a chlorine product diluted according to its label, which you leave on for at least 5 minutes. Wash textiles as hot as possible, ventilate the room and finally wash your hands with soap. Alcohol gel is not enough.

## Why cleaning matters so much with norovirus

Norovirus causes sudden vomiting and diarrhoea, and it often spreads within a family, at nursery school or at work. According to the [National Institute of Public Health](https://szu.gov.cz/temata-zdravi-a-bezpecnosti/a-z-infekce/n/norovirove-infekce/norovirove-gastroenteritidy-zakladni-informace/) , a very low infectious dose is enough to cause illness, roughly 10 to 100 virus particles. The virus survives on surfaces and is transmitted via hands, objects, food and droplets.

SZÚ also states that noroviruses withstand freezing and temperatures of up to 60 °C and are resistant to alcohol-based disinfectants. That is why simply wiping a surface or using an alcohol-based disinfectant wipe may not be enough.

A sick person can spread the virus even after the symptoms have gone. The [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/about/index.html) gives 2 weeks or longer, SZÚ 2–3 weeks. Careful hand and toilet hygiene therefore makes sense long after the person is back on their feet.

If you are not sure when ordinary washing is enough and when disinfection is needed, read the article on the [difference between cleaning and disinfection](https://uklid123.cz/blog/rozdil-cisteni-a-dezinfekce) . Norovirus is a situation in which washing alone is not enough.

## What to prepare

It is a good idea to have the supplies together during the winter season, so that you do not have to look for them at the moment you need them.

- disposable or rubber gloves (disinfect rubber gloves after use)
- paper towels or disposable cloths
- strong plastic bags that can be tied
- a bucket or container used only for cleaning, not for food
- detergent or an all-purpose cleaner
- a chlorine product based on sodium hypochlorite, or another disinfectant with declared effectiveness against noroviruses
- a measuring cup for dilution
- eye protection, if required by the product label

## Step-by-step procedure

- **Move everyone else out of the room**, especially children and pets. Open a window.
- **Put on gloves** and, if possible, clothing that you will wash straight away.
- **Wipe up the vomit or stool with paper towels**, covering the whole affected area. Work from the edges towards the centre so that you do not smear the dirt. Put the towels straight into a bag and tie the bag.
- **Wash the spot with water and detergent.** Disinfection works on a clean surface, so visible dirt must be removed first.
- **Apply the diluted chlorine product** and leave it on for at least 5 minutes. The surface should stay wet throughout.
- **Wash the spot again with hot water and detergent** and wipe it dry.
- **Disinfect frequently touched places**: handles, the flush button, the toilet seat and lid, taps, switches, the remote control, the phone and the bucket handle.
- **Clear away the supplies.** Throw away disposable items in a tied bag, rinse the bucket and disinfect it. Take off the gloves so that the outer surface does not touch your skin.
- **Wash your hands with soap and water** for at least 20 seconds and ventilate the room.

The procedure is based on the [CDC recommendations for preventing norovirus](https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/prevention/index.html) : wipe the whole area with paper towels while wearing gloves, disinfect according to the product label, leave the chlorine solution on for at least 5 minutes, and then wash the spot again with soap and hot water.

## How to dilute a chlorine product

For disinfection after norovirus, the CDC recommends a chlorine bleach solution with a concentration of 1,000 to 5,000 ppm. This corresponds to 5 to 25 tablespoons of bleach containing 5–8% sodium hypochlorite per gallon (about 3.8 litres) of water. Converted, that is roughly 20 to 100 ml of the product per litre of water.

Products sold in the Czech Republic may have a different hypochlorite content from the one the CDC assumes. Always follow the label: if the manufacturer gives a dilution for disinfection against viruses, it takes precedence over the general conversion.

- Dilute in room-temperature water, as recommended by the [CDC in its guide to disinfecting with bleach](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/cleaning-and-disinfecting-with-bleach.html) .
- Prepare the solution fresh; according to the CDC, it loses effectiveness after 24 hours.
- Use a plain, unscented product and check the expiry date.
- Do not put the solution in drink bottles, and label the container.

Chlorine bleaches and damages some materials. Before using it on a less resistant surface, test it in a hidden spot and follow the surface manufacturer's instructions.

| Surface | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| Tiles, toilet, washbasin, bath | Wash with detergent, apply chlorine solution, leave for 5 minutes, wash and dry. |
| Wood, laminate, stone | Wash with detergent and use a product suitable for the material with declared effectiveness against noroviruses; follow the floor manufacturer's instructions. |
| Carpet, sofa, mattress | Remove the dirt and clean with a textile cleaner, or use a textile product effective against noroviruses. |
| Laundry, towels, bed linen | Wash at the highest temperature and the longest programme according to the label. |

## Safety: do not mix, and ventilate

Never mix a chlorine product with other cleaning or disinfecting products. The [Toxicology Information Centre](https://www.tis-cz.cz/index.php/informace-pro-verejnost/obchodni-pripravky-1) warns that mixing a chlorine product with an acidic product (for example, an acid-based toilet cleaner) may release chlorine gas. Combining it with ammonia is equally dangerous. You will find details in the article [Which cleaning products should never be mixed](https://uklid123.cz/blog/nebezpecne-kombinace-cisticich-prostredku) .

- Read the product label before use.
- Ventilate during and after the work, ideally with an open window and door.
- Work in gloves and, if the label says so, with eye protection.
- Before disinfecting the toilet with chlorine, rinse away any residues of other cleaners.

The Toxicology Information Centre warns that most cleaning products are hazardous to the eyes. If a product gets into your eye, rinse it with water and contact a doctor or the Toxicology Information Centre.

## Washing laundry and textiles

Collect soiled laundry, towels and bed linen while wearing gloves and do not shake them out. The CDC recommends washing them with detergent in hot water on the longest programme and then tumble-drying them at the highest temperature. Adapt the exact temperature to the care label on the clothing, but given how resistant the virus is, choose the highest one the label allows. SZÚ recommends washing the sick person's laundry separately.

Wash your hands after washing soiled laundry. If the washing machine was heavily soiled, an empty high-temperature programme may help, according to the manufacturer's instructions. The article [How to clean a washing machine](https://uklid123.cz/blog/jak-vycistit-pracku) explains how.

Do not treat carpets, sofas and mattresses with chlorine, as they may become discoloured. First carefully remove the dirt, then clean the spot with a textile cleaner and leave it to dry. If a stain or odour remains, you may consider deep cleaning; Úklid 1-2-3 offers [sofa upholstery shampooing](https://uklid123.cz/sluzby/tepovani-sedacek) .

## After the illness: hands, kitchen and toilet

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet and before eating. The CDC states that hand sanitiser does not work well against norovirus, but it can supplement washing. In its methodological guidelines, SZÚ recommends checking, when choosing a hand disinfectant, that the manufacturer declares effectiveness against noroviruses.

- According to the CDC, a sick person should not prepare food for others or care for them for at least 2 days (48 hours) after the symptoms have gone.
- If you have two toilets in your flat, set one aside for the sick person.
- Use separate towels, or paper ones.
- After the illness has passed, disinfect the toilet, bathroom and frequently touched places again.

If you do not have the strength for a thorough clean after the illness, you can order [home cleaning](https://uklid123.cz/sluzby/uklid-domacnosti) . You will find the scope and prices in the [price list](https://uklid123.cz/cenik) .

The main risk of norovirus is dehydration. The CDC lists among its symptoms less frequent urination, a dry mouth and throat, dizziness when standing up and, in children, crying with few tears or unusual sleepiness or irritability. In that case, contact a doctor.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does alcohol disinfectant kill norovirus?

It cannot be relied upon. The National Institute of Public Health (SZÚ) states that noroviruses are resistant to alcohol-based disinfectants, and the CDC says that hand sanitiser does not work well against norovirus. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. On surfaces, use a chlorine product or another disinfectant whose label states that it is effective against noroviruses.

### How long should the chlorine solution be left to work?

For norovirus, the CDC recommends leaving the chlorine solution on the affected area for at least 5 minutes. The surface should stay wet throughout. Then wash the spot with hot water and detergent and dry it. If the label of your product gives a different contact time for disinfection against viruses, follow the label.

### What temperature should laundry be washed at after norovirus?

The CDC recommends washing soiled laundry with detergent in hot water on the longest cycle and tumble-drying it at the highest temperature. The exact temperature is determined by the care label on the clothing. As SZÚ states that noroviruses withstand temperatures of up to 60 °C, choose the highest temperature the label allows. Wash the sick person's laundry separately and do not shake it out.

### How long should I stay careful after the symptoms have gone?

A sick person can shed the virus even after the symptoms have gone: 2 weeks or longer according to the CDC, 2–3 weeks according to SZÚ. During this time, careful handwashing and regular disinfection of the toilet and frequently touched places are important. The CDC also recommends that the sick person not prepare food for others for at least 48 hours after the symptoms have gone.

## Sources

- [How to Prevent Norovirus – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)](https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/prevention/index.html) (checked 1 November 2026)
- [About Norovirus – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)](https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/about/index.html) (checked 1 November 2026)
- [Cleaning and Disinfecting with Bleach – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)](https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/cleaning-and-disinfecting-with-bleach.html) (checked 1 November 2026)
- [Norovirové gastroenteritidy – základní informace – Státní zdravotní ústav](https://szu.gov.cz/temata-zdravi-a-bezpecnosti/a-z-infekce/n/norovirove-infekce/norovirove-gastroenteritidy-zakladni-informace/) (checked 1 November 2026)
- [Postupy a opatření při epidemickém výskytu gastrointestinálních infekcí vyvolaných noroviry ve zdravotnickém zařízení – Státní zdravotní ústav](https://szu.gov.cz/odborna-centra-a-pracoviste/centrum-epidemiologie-a-mikrobiologie/narodni-referencni-centrum-pro-infekce-spojene-se-zdravotni-peci/metodicke-postupy-v-narodnim-referencnim-centru-pro-infekce-spojene-se-zdravotni-peci/postupy-a-opatreni-pri-epidemickem-vyskytu-gastrointestinalnich-infekci-vyvolanych-noroviry-ve-zdravotnickem-zarizeni/) (checked 1 November 2026)
- [Obchodní přípravky – Toxikologické informační středisko](https://www.tis-cz.cz/index.php/informace-pro-verejnost/obchodni-pripravky-1) (checked 1 November 2026)

Prepared by the Úklid 1-2-3 editorial team with the help of AI and verified against the sources listed. Manufacturers' instructions and regulations change: always follow the current wording of the source and the product label. This article is general information, not professional or legal advice. This article was translated from Czech with the help of AI. The sources are in the original language.

## Would you rather not clean yourself?

Choose a service and a part of Prague and you will see an estimated price straight away. We will get back to you with a date; the enquiry is non-binding.

[Calculate the price and request cleaning](https://uklid123.cz/poptavka?sluzba=domacnost) [How much does it cost](https://uklid123.cz/kolik-stoji-uklid-bytu-praha)

## Related articles

[Home cleaning Regular home cleaning: how to book it and what to prepare before the first visit What to settle before ordering regular cleaning, who supplies the products, how to hand over keys and how to prepare your home and pets for the first visit. 31 October 2026 · 6 min read](https://uklid123.cz/en/blog/pravidelny-uklid-domacnosti-priprava) [Home cleaning Home cleaning schedule: what to do daily, weekly, monthly and seasonally A practical cleaning schedule for every day, week, month and season, with a printable table and advice on dividing the work fairly between members of the household. 30 October 2026 · 5 min read](https://uklid123.cz/en/blog/uklidovy-plan-domacnosti) [Home cleaning How often to clean a flat: a guide by room and appliance When to clean the worktop, bathroom, fridge, cooker hood filter or washing machine drum, and why. A room-by-room guide with a table and tips on when to clean more often. 30 October 2026 · 5 min read](https://uklid123.cz/en/blog/jak-casto-uklizet-byt)