The coronavirus COVID-19 has already affected 186 countries and territories worldwide, causing a major scare and leaving no option but to enforce lockdown.
The streets are empty in several cities around the globe as people avoid each other and stay indoors.
But how safe is your home from the novel COVID-19?
Washing your hands and disinfecting surfaces is advised to prevent the spread of the virus. While you are at it, use sprays that promise to kill 99.9% of germs.As per studies, the virus can live on for up to three days on hard surfaces.
It won’t take much time to clean high-traffic surfaces once daily, so ensure that you do it.
How to Clean and Disinfect Your Home?
While we all are battling the novel coronavirus, here are some expert tips on how to clean and disinfect your home amid a viral outbreak.
Tip 1: Clean the Area with Soap and Water Before Using a Disinfectant
First, use a soapy sponge or cloth to clean the area. You can use the disinfectant wipes after that. Ensure to leave the disinfectant untouched on surfaces for around five minutes.
To allow disinfectants to work, they have to be in contact with the surface for five minutes. Otherwise, it will not kill bacteria and viruses.
Wipe it off afterward. It is crucial that you do this every day.
Tip 2: Clean the Sponge for Reuse
You can use the same sponge to clean other things as well, but it could possibly be swarming with germs. So, put it in the washing machine or clean it yourself with hot soapy water.
You can as well put the sponge in a high microwave and leave it for a minute or two. Collect other sponges that you regularly use and do the same with them.
It is best to use microfiber cloths as they are easy to wash and dry quickly.
Tip 3: Target Your Home’s High-Touch Surfaces
Don’t forget to clean and disinfect the places where you and your family frequently touch every day. It can be your door frame, light switches, TV remote, kettle, coffee machine (such as Brim 8-Cup), toilet handles, tables, desks, electronic devices, toys, and so on.
Cleaning the high-touch surfaces even without coronavirus is advisable.
Tip 4: Run Your Washing Machine at 60°C Or At 40°C
Wash all your underwear, towels, and linen at 60 °C or at 40 °C with a bleach-based laundry product to prevent the spread of germs. Or you can even use bio-product.
Do not shake dirty laundry. It can minimize the risk of dispersing the virus through the air.
Tip 5: Run Your Empty Washing Machine
It is advisable to run the washing machine with nothing on it once a week. You can either set it at a high temperature to stop the growth of germs. Or use a chemical disinfectant while running it.
Don’t leave wet washing in the machine. It will encourage the growth of germs.
Tip 6: Disinfect Your Vacuum Cleaner
Clean the inside of your vacuum cleaner using a disinfectant. Empty the canister completely and wipe the inside walls with a cloth soaked in a disinfectant. Allow the moisture to evaporate entirely before closing the vacuum cleaner again.
Tip 7: What if You Don’t Have Cleaning Sprays?
Use soap. Soapy water will not kill all germs, but scrubbing with it can remove coronavirus and other germs from surfaces.
Tip 8: Do You Have to Wear Gloves While Cleaning?
Wearing gloves is recommended while cleaning your home. But if you can’t find them, ensure to wash your hands both before and after you clean.
If you are wearing gloves during the cleaning and want to reuse it, wash the gloves with soap and water and dry them. Also, wash your bare hands after pulling off the gloves.
Don’t use the same gloves for the bathroom and the dishes.
More Tips
- If you go out, after you return, take off your shoes and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- If someone is self-isolating or showing symptoms of illness, provide them their own trash container. When disposing of the trash bags, wear disposable gloves.
- Clean your hands after touching your pets if a person who is suspected of having coronavirus touches them.
- Ensure to read and understand the instructions on your cleaning products before use, or it will be rendered ineffective.
- If you are cleaning a surface or a thing that might be contaminated or touched by someone who has the disease, use paper towels to clean instead of reusable clothes.
- Diluted bleach, cleaners that contain at least 70% alcohol and disinfectants are recommended.
- Since your floors receive a high amount of traffic, it is advisable to keep indoor shoes to reduce the additional risk of bringing in bacteria and viruses from the outside.
Wrapping-Up
It is time to be extra careful. Staying home, washing your hands with soap at interval of every 20 minutes, and cleaning and disinfecting your home are some measures you can take to prevent the spread of the virus or catching the disease.
Keep an open ear to all the precautionary measures, and public orders that the health department issues and follow them. Yes, it is a panicky situation with the news about death tolls increasing every day. Still, you can try and stay safe during this corona outbreak by being informed and taking extra precautionary measures.
Stay as clean as possible and if it is possible, stay home and take care of yourself and your family.
Read more about house cleaning by refer following links:
15 House Cleaning Tips that can be Beneficial to Every Homeowner!
House Cleaning Schedule: The Power of Cleaning Routine
Top 11 Forgetful Places to Clean in Home in Your Next Cleaning Spree!
Image Courtesy: Image 8
