Household cleaning is an everyday task, but the current pandemic makes it a very important part of our lives. COVID-19 made all of us wary of the things we bring into our home and be more careful in how we handle things. Here’s your ultimate guide on cleaning and disinfecting your home against the threat of COVID-19:

What You Need:

Father and son with cleaning tools

Not all cleaning products will be useful in eliminating the COVID-19 virus. Use only products that are approved by EPA, as these were tested and known to be effective against the said virus. Here are some of the most popular ones;

  • Disinfecting wipes such as popular brands Clorox, Lysol or any store brand wipes
  • Disinfectant sprays such as Purell, Clorox and Lysol
  • Isopropyl alcohol
  • Hydrogen Peroxide

These products are known to be very effective in killing the virus but at the same time it is important to follow the proper techniques in disinfecting surfaces. According to EPA, it is advisable to let the product sit and remain wet on the surfaces and objects for at least 10 minutes in order for the product to kill 99.9 percent of bacteria or viruses in the surfaces. If you are unable to buy some of these items, then you may try to create your own homemade bleach disinfectant spray by CDC.

When to Clean:

Sick girl

If no one in the family is confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19 then, daily cleaning is alright. You don’t need to turn your house upside down when cleaning. You only need to focus on the hot-spot areas for germs where there is a high contact rate.  More frequency cleaning may be needed if you have young children with you at home who are very adventurous and playful. Here are some of the most important areas or items that you may need to disinfect daily:

  • Doorknobs, drawer knobs, faucets
  • Cupboards
  • Kitchen and bathroom counters
  • Toilet seat and handle
  • Refrigerator, dishwasher, oven and microwave handles
  • Remote controls and game controllers
  • Cellphones, tablet and other devices
  • Computer keyboard and mouse
  • Table surfaces
  • Staircase railings
  • Light switches and switch plates

How to Properly Disinfect

Disinfecting

Disinfection is an adjunct to cleaning especially someone in the family is sick or has tested positive for COVID-19. Disinfecting helps kills the remaining germs on the surfaces and reduces the spread of germs. Here’s how you should properly disinfect according to CDC:

Always follow the direction on the label of the product that you will be using. Different products have different instructions on how to properly use it to become even more effective when disinfecting. Remember to keep disinfectants out of reach of children as this is very harmful when swallowed or be in contact with. Many products advise to keep the surface wet for a few minutes for maximum results to be achieved.

Clean dirty surfaces with household cleaners containing soap or cleaning detergent prior to disinfection. A cleaning agent is different from a disinfecting product. Better clean the surface first before disinfecting to keep both the appearance of the furniture or area clean and at the same time, safe.

Wear Gloves during the cleaning process.  Gloves will serve as a personal protective equipment that will protect you from splash and from contacting with harmful chemicals. You may also consider wearing eye protection to better protect your eyes from the possible spills and splash.

Wash Hands often. Before and after cleaning, don’t forget to wash your hands. Handwashing is a must even when you’re wearing gloves. If soap and water is not available, you may use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer which contains at least 60% alcohol.

Adequate Ventilation. A good ventilation is a must during disinfection and cleaning in order to remove the bad order and also let the air circulate properly around the house.

If someone at home is sick..

Take proper precautions when someone in your family is sicj or positive with COVID-19. COVID-19 spread through airborne particles and can be acquired through contaminated hands. Make sure to:

  • Ask unvaccinated visitors to always wear mask
  • Isolate the relative/friend/ roommate who is infected with COVID-19.
  • Ask everyone in the household to wash hands often especially when returning from outside activities.

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