HNE Staff It has been over a year since news about this infectious disease broke out. It has since infected 117 million people around the world, almost 2.6 million of whom are dead. By now, you are likely used to the minimum health protocol to prevent the virus’s spread. It includes wearing a mask when you go out and taking a shower to disinfect yourself when you go home. It also emphasizes disinfecting your home, not merely cleaning it.
Cleaning is different from disinfecting. Cleaning is more about getting rid of bacteria and germs, while the latter is more about killing the harmful microorganisms to prevent them from growing and spreading. COVID-19 is a virus that you need to kill, hence the importance of disinfecting your home.
1. Disinfect high-touch surfaces daily.
High-touch surfaces are areas around the house people touch the most. These include doorknobs, switches, microwave and refrigerator doors, coffee machines, drawers, kettles, remote controls, toilet seats, windows, electronic devices, dining chairs, table surfaces, and more.
Clean these high-touch surfaces first using a rag washed in soapy water. Wipe everything down. Do this daily as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Then, spray or wipe the surfaces using disinfecting wipes, disinfectant sprays, hydrogen peroxide, or isopropyl alcohol.
2. Disinfect the items you bring outside.
When you go home, disinfect your keys, purses, wallets, backpacks, electronic devices, and all other things you leave and come home with every day. It will help prevent the spread of the germs you might have unknowingly brought from the outside.
It also helps if you leave these items by the door. Put the backpacks in a closet or storage bench by the door instead of putting them on the kitchen countertop or table, where they might contaminate more things.
3. Take an extra step disinfecting the kitchen.
If you use chlorine-filled bleach and similar products in the kitchen, rinse them thoroughly. Use warm water for rinsing, then leave the surface to air-dry.
Clean high-touch areas in the kitchen daily, such as cabinet handles, faucets, countertops, refrigerator doors, dials on kitchen appliances, and trash can lids.
Replace cleaning rags and sponges regularly.
You should clean heavily soiled kitchen surfaces first before disinfecting. Spray the disinfecting product on the area in question and leave it for 30 seconds. Rinse it, then let it air-dry.
Make sure to wash your hands with water and soap for at least 20 seconds after handling the used utensil or dish.
4. Clean the bathroom frequently.
Viruses and bacteria survive longer on wet surfaces, so put your towels out to dry after every use.
Make it a habit to clean the shower, sink, and toilet. Spray disinfectant on these surfaces, then wipe with a sponge or cloth. Follow the instructions on the disinfectant’s package to maximize its effectiveness.
Store toothbrushes far apart from each other.
Put the hand towels in the wash regularly.
Scrub your tiles weekly using a bleach cleaner. Let it sit for a few minutes. Wear rubber gloves before you scrub and rinse the surface.
Use disinfectant wipes to wipe the toilet seat and handle.
Apply a toilet bowl cleaner and leave it for a few minutes. Spray them with a disinfectant, then let them dry.
Keep the bathroom floors clean with a low-sudsing cleaner to avoid messy residue. Spray them with the cleaners or bleach cleanser for the more stubborn stains and dirt, then scrub. Wipe them dry to prevent accidents.
5. Disinfect electronic devices.
You carry your phone with you almost all the time. Disinfect it with at least 70 percent alcohol solution. Wipe the buttons, screen, and holes where dust and lint might get trapped. Clean the phone case inside and outside before putting it back on.
Clean your laptop screen with a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol solution on a soft towel, not a disinfecting wipe. Disinfect the trackpad, keyboard, wrist pad, and the shell of the computer.
Wipe down electronic accessories with a plastic surface using an isopropyl alcohol solution or disinfecting wipe.
6. Pay attention to your living room.
Light switches, doorknobs, and table surfaces can get contaminated through constant touching. Disinfect these surfaces every day.
Disinfect soft surfaces, such as upholstered furniture, pillows, and other fabrics. You can’t put them in the washer, but you can disinfect them with a phenolic disinfectant spray. It smells good and kills bacteria without damaging the fabric and surrounding hard surfaces.
Leave the spray on for 30 seconds to 10 minutes to let it kill viruses and bacteria.
7. Handle your laundry with care.
Be extra careful when handling the dirty clothes you wore outside. Don’t shake them to avoid spreading the virus all over the house. Put on disposable gloves, especially if you’re handling a sick person’s laundry.
To kill the virus, set the washing machine in the warmest water possible, then dry them thoroughly.
Disinfect the used hampers.
Always wash your hands with water and soap for 20 minutes after handling dirty clothes.
8. Check your HVAC systems.
Proper ventilation can help reduce the risk of spreading the virus around the house. To ensure that your HVAC systems work correctly in ventilating and filtrating indoor air, check them regularly.
Make sure the HVAC filter is where it should be. You may want to replace it with the highest-grade filter available that fits your existing HVAC system.
Since HVAC systems’ filtration system only works if the fan is on, keep the fan running even if you don’t need extra heat or cold in the house.
Assist your HVAC system’s function by improving natural ventilation. Open the windows and doors more. Turn on the bathroom fan when in use. However, avoid doing these two if the outdoor air is of low quality or heats or cools the house too much.
9. Use disinfectants properly.
Disinfectants only work when they are used correctly as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Follow what they say about how long they should sit on the surface to break down the bacteria and viruses’ walls. Some of these harmful microorganisms are stubborn and need time.
10. Disinfect the cleaning tools and supplies.
Disinfect your home and do the same to those things that you used in disinfecting the former. Kitchen sponges are a hotbed for bacteria. Soak them in half a teaspoon of bleach and a quart of warm water. If you use the sponge frequently, replace it regularly as well.
Don’t forget to clean the vacuum. Clean the dust bag or dust collector, then spray or wipe it down.
Run a cup of vinegar set in hot water through the washing machine. Leave the door open after every use to let it air-dry.
Conclusion
Cleaning and disinfecting your home is a necessary household chore during the pandemic. You need clever things that can make your house cleaning a breeze. Make it a routine daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on the risk of contamination and exposure of a specific part of the house. The more on disinfecting the home, the better chances are of preventing COVID-19.
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