Want to learn how you can disinfect your home against the coronavirus? Currently, social distancing has been recommended by health experts as the best way of slowing down the spread of coronavirus.
This means that you are likely to spend much of your time at home. This is why cleaning and disinfecting your home is very vital if you wish to keep your family healthy and safe from this pandemic. How then can you clean and disinfect your home effectively against COVID-19?
Medical experts all over the world as are still learning how the virus spreads. However, it is believed that this virus spreads mainly by getting close contact with an infected person and also touching contaminated surfaces which have the virus.
i) Cleaning electronic equipment
When you are thinking of highly touched objects, you should not forget your electronic equipment such as remote controls, keyboards, smartphones, touch screens and tablets. In this case, you can put a wipeable cover on your devices. It is important that you follow the instructions of the manufacturer when you are cleaning and disinfecting your devices. In this case, it is recommended that you use alcohol-based sprays or wipes which contain about 70% alcohol.
ii) Cleaning your bedding and clothing
Medical experts are not sure how long the coronavirus can survive on beddings and clothing. However, it is recommended that you wash them thoroughly before using a disinfectant especially if there is someone who is sick at your home. When you are cleaning your linens, towels and clothing you can follow the instructions below.
- In case you are washing clothes worn by someone who is sick you should wear disposable gloves.
- Once you are through in laundering dirty, make sure you remove your gloves and wash your hands immediately.
- You can use warm water in washing your beddings and clothes.
iii) Handling food
Although there is no enough evidence that coronavirus can survive for a long period on food and packaging material, it is good that you be cautious about this illness. Therefore, it is important that you protect your family when you are going to shop for grocery, ordering takeaway foods and preparing food at home.
After you have left a grocery shop, you can wash your hands using tap water and a hand sanitizer or soap for about one minute.
Try to limit yourself from stepping outside by ordering some foods online and request that they are delivered to your doorstep.
Before you eat any raw foods such as fruits you should wash them thoroughly using running tap water. Also when you are eating or preparing food you should wash your hands thoroughly using water and soap.
iv) Cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces
It is important that you use multi-purpose cleaners and disinfectant sprays in cleaning and disinfecting the high touch surfaces. Some of the high touch surfaces which you must disinfect regularly are toilet seats, sinks, faucets, desks, light switches, countertops, elevator buttons, cabinet and door handles. When you are cleaning these surfaces ensure you wear disposable gloves. After cleaning your surfaces you can use an appropriate household disinfectant so that you can kill germs and viruses on these surfaces.
v) Cleaning and disinfecting soft/hard surfaces
You can vacuum your couches, carpets so that you can prevent dust from spreading into the air. In case there are spills of body fluids you can spot clean them immediately while keeping safety guidelines such as wearing gloves.
You can deep clean or use steam cleaners in cleaning your carpets. If possible after cleaning them you can apply a disinfectant which cannot damage the fibres of your carpet.
Other kinds of flooring surfaces such as hardwood, vinyl flooring, the laminate must be cleaned thoroughly using a cleaning detergent and water before a disinfectant is applied. However, you must be careful by keeping moisture and water away so that your floors can last longer. It is also good that you avoid solutions such as vinegar which can damage your floors.
vi) Car interior
It is important that if you have a car you clean your garage and your car since it might be harbouring some viruses. Although you might be wiping your car windows regularly, it might be rare for you to sterilize the radio control knobs, door handles and steering wheel. Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, you should disinfect these areas daily. When it comes to soft surfaces such as children car seats, headrest and seats, you can use a disinfectant which cannot damage your fabric.
If you follow the above guidelines you will surely protect yourself and your family from coronavirus.