How to Clean & Disinfect Your Home during a Virus

During the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, strict guidelines concerning how to clean and disinfect your home have been put into place.

There are several precautionary measures which have been put into place to help people minimise the spread of the virus.

As a result of coronavirus, nations across the globe are in lockdown, their homes must be protected against the virus.

To help make people’s homes be the safest environment for its residents it is important to follow advised cleaning and disinfecting methods on items around the house.

We explore how you can make your home the safest environment possible for you and your family.

Clean

When cleaning any household item you must clean surfaces, items and utensils with hot water and soap.

Particularly, high touch surfaces should be cleaned regularly to prevent the spread of the virus. These include:

• Tables
• Light switches
• Handles
• Doorknobs
• Desks
• Phones
• Keyboards
• Toilets
• Sinks
• Faucets
• Countertops
• Utensils
• Remotes

Disinfect

After having had cleaned the items and surfaces it is time to disinfect these objects.

People have been recommended to use EPA-registered household disinfectants. These have been approved to use against COVID-19.

Depending on the type of household disinfectant being used, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This will help you achieve the best possible result.

Some of the instructions include keeping the surface wet for a period of time, wearing gloves, ensuring good ventilation while using the product and more.

Using household bleach solutions depends on the surface of the object you wish to disinfect.

In this instance, check the expiration date to effectively combat the virus.

Also, be sure not to mix other household bleaches with ammonia or other cleansers. The disinfected must be left on the surfaces for approximately one minute.

To make a bleach disinfectant solution yourself, follow the simple steps:

1. Take 5 tbsp (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon of water.
2. Alternatively, use 4 tsp bleach per quart water.

Moreover, 70% of alcohol in the cleaning solution is preferred.

Soft Surfaces

What many people are unaware of is that soft surfaces like rugs, drapes and carpeted floors harbour many germs.

Unfortunately, if left uncleaned these soft surfaces can impact the health of the household members.

It is important to both clean and disinfect soft surfaces. For example, using appropriate cleaners or soap and water deep clean the soft surfaces.

In particular, if the items are able to be laundered in a washing machine then it is best to wash the items according to the manufacturer’s instructions preferably using the highest water option possible.

Alternatively, disinfect soft surfaces in regulation with EPA-registered household disinfectants. These have been approved to use against the coronavirus.

Electronics

Daily electronics like mobile phones, tablets, keyboards, remote controls and more regularly go uncleaned.

During the outbreak of the coronavirus, it is important to consider cleaning these items.

Ensure a wipeable cover is placed over your electronics, this will make them easier to clean.

If your electronics came with a manufaturer’s guide, check the cleaning instructions and follow accordingly.

On the other hand, you can disinfect your electronics using a spray containing 70% alcohol or alcohol-based wipes.

Be sure to dry the surfaces of your electronic goods thoroughly.

Clean Hands

One of the most important precautionary measures set by the government is to wash your hands thoroughly.

Regularly wash your hands for twenty seconds. If you do not have access to soap and water then use hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol.

This must be followed immediately after you remove gloves, come into contact with a sick person, cough, sneeze, blow your nose, using the bathroom, eating or preparing food and touching animals.

Also, it is important to note if you have not washed your hands it is important to avoid touching your face.

Laundry

While doing the laundry it is crucial to bear some important requirements in mind to ensure you clean and disinfect to the best of your ability.

Firstly, wear disposable gloves before handling the laundry. It is imperative you do not shake dirty laundry.

When washing clothes in a washing machine be sure to follow the guides sets on the manufacturer’s instructions.

Also, if a member of the family has been infected with the virus their laundry can be washed with everyone else’s washing.

After washing the items ensure to clean and disinfect the clothes hamper and dispose of your gloves. Then wash your hands.

Bathroom & Bedroom

Another important guideline to abide by is remaining in a separate bedroom and using a separate bathroom from a sick person if possible.

A sick person must stay in a different room to other people as this will minimise contact.

If possible attempt to reduce cleaning to as-needed. This will further help reduce contact.

Clean and disinfect the room which has been inhabited by the sick person. This will reduce the chances of spreading the coronavirus.

Food

After preparing and eating food make sure you wash your hands for 20 seconds.

While washing dishes and utensils use disposable gloves and hot water and dispose of them after doing so. The same applies if you have a dishwasher.

If possible, give the sick person their food in their separate room.

Rubbish

To keep things separate from the sick person, dedicate a lined bin for them. While taking out the household rubbish ensure one is wearing disposable gloves.

Upon throwing out the bin bags, immediately dispose of your gloves and wash your hands.

These extensive guidelines have been advised by the National Institutes of Health.

To ensure you keep yourself and your family protected, make sure these recommendations are adhered. Stay home and stay safe.