With coronavirus (COVID-19) affecting so many aspects of life, we’re all spending more time at home. The disease is also affecting the way we think about cleaning and sanitizing. It’s probably fair to say most people want their homes to look clean and smell fresh, but the focus now is on keeping the virus away from ourselves and vulnerable family members. We’ve put together a few tips on how to keep your home clean and as free as possible from infectious viruses.
Do daily cleaning and disinfecting?
First, before you start cleaning, the CDC advises you should wear disposable plastic gloves. Coronavirus can live on stainless steel and plastic surfaces for up to 72 hours. This is the reason why experts advise you to focus on faucet taps, doorknobs, and door handles, also known as “high-touch surfaces.”
Clean these surfaces first with soap and water. Then, follow up with disinfectant.
What qualifies as a disinfectant?
Experts want everyone to know that some popular cleaning solutions like vinegar don’t kill coronavirus. Alcohol, bleach, and hydrogen peroxide are all effective chemicals that do kill the virus.
Alcohol can be diluted to 70%, and household bleach should be diluted using the manufacturer’s instructions. Hydrogen peroxide can be used full strength. Alcohol wipes are effective in sanitizing and disinfecting electronics like keyboards and touchscreens.
Do you need to sanitize and clean the fabric?
According to the CDC, if no one in your house is infected with COVID-19, you can wash your clothing and other household fabrics as you normally do. However, if you’ve been out, you should remove your clothing and launder it as soon as possible. The virus is able to survive longer on plastic and stainless steel, so it could be present on buttons and zippers.
The CDC has another warning related to clothing and fabrics used by an infected person: don’t shake them before putting them in the washing machine. Shaking the items could disperse virus particles through the air. Washing clothing in a normal washing machine with detergent will kill the virus.
Other germs in addition to coronavirus can survive on towels and clothing, so laundering them regularly will help prevent infections in general.
Viruses have no way to move on their own. They make people cough so they are spread through the air. Sanitizing surfaces regularly can make your home safe from the coronavirus/COVID-19 disease.
Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/disinfecting-your-home.html
