With the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting the world, it is critical to clean and disinfect your home on a regular basis to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy. While person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 is far more dangerous than surface transmission, experts and health industry professionals recommend cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces at least once a day, even if you’re not leaving the house.
Because there is a risk of exposure whenever items or people enter and exit your home, cleaning and proper disinfecting your home are important. According to studies, the novel coronavirus can survive in the air for up to three hours and on surfaces such as cardboard for up to 24 hours and plastic and stainless steel for up to three days.
Here are some tips to properly disinfect your home against Covid-19 and other viruses:
Clean High-Touch Surfaces
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people clean high-touch surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, sports equipment, and toys on a regular basis.
Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and use soap and water to pre-clean if an area or item is visibly dirty. Then, to kill germs on surfaces, use a household disinfectant. Use disinfectants that have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use against the coronavirus and are appropriate for the surface being cleaned. To ensure that the product is used safely and effectively, follow the instructions on the label.
Clean Electronics
Don’t forget about your household electronics when considering frequently touched objects. Tablets, touch screens, smartphones, keyboards, and remote control devices are becoming increasingly popular. Put a wipeable cover on your (and your children’s) electronics to keep them clean.
Also, make certain that you are cleaning and disinfecting according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A good rule of thumb is to use alcohol-based wipes or sprays that contain at least 70% alcohol. Thoroughly drying the electronics’ surface will also help ensure that it is clean and ready to use again.
Take Note of Critical Areas
Clean the kitchen sink first, then the bathroom sinks, tubs, and toilets. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to allow the cleaner to dissolve the dirt and stains. Return to the kitchen and begin scrubbing. Remember to clean the inside of the microwave. Clean toilets come last.
While you’re in the kitchen, keep in mind your garbage disposal is in good working order. If you’re unsure how to clean a garbage disposal, there are plenty of garbage disposal cleaning tips available online.
Be Mindful of Kitchen Objects
The coronavirus is unlikely to survive long on food packaging products. In fact, there is no evidence linking food or food packaging to COVID-19 illness. Use hand sanitizer after leaving the grocery store. When you get home, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Reduce in-person contact as much as possible by ordering online, using a curbside pickup, or having deliveries left outside your door.
It is not necessary to clean cereal boxes and other packages. Instead, concentrate on washing your hands after using them. For general food safety, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before preparing or eating food. When preparing food, always follow food safety guidelines. Finally, after accepting deliveries or bringing home takeout food, wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water. If you don’t have soap or water, use hand sanitizer instead.
Key Takeaway
It is more important than ever to take precautions against germs that can cause illness, such as the novel coronavirus and its different variants. These viruses are well understood to spread from person to person. However, it can also stick on surfaces – your home is not an exception.
With the virality of the new diseases, it is important to keep your household clean and disinfected at all times. This will guarantee a healthier and more secure space for you and your family to live in.
