It has been more than a year since the COVID-19 outbreak put the world in disarray. While 2021 promises a brighter future with the emergence of vaccines, the virus is still at large and spreading like wildfire. However, while people make an effort to avoid transmission through person-to-person contact, there are still other ways the virus can contaminate others.
Smaller particles of the virus called aerosols travel through the air and live on surfaces, though it doesn’t pose a high risk than human contact. Nonetheless, it’s important to disinfect these surfaces to minimize the risks, especially on parts of your home that see plenty of traffic and high-touch surfaces. Cleaning blindly won’t do you any favors, so we’re here to help you know areas you need to disinfect.
What are the Different Surfaces that Host the Coronavirus and Its Variants?
- Metal – Surfaces such as the doorknob, silverware, jewelry, faucets, screen doors, and other metallic materials can host the coronavirus for as long as five days;
- Wood – Wooden materials such as furniture, decking, doors, cabinets, countertops, and even your flooring can keep the virus for four days;
- Plastics – From milk containers, grocery packages, bottles, public seats, elevator buttons, bags, and more, plastic is all around us, so be careful since the virus can stay alive on it for two to three days;
- Stainless Steel – Your refrigerator, pans, pots, kitchen counters, and sink will have the virus for two to three days;
- Cardboard – It’s best to be careful with your delivery packages in cardboard boxes since they can contain the virus for 24 hours;
- Copper – Things like pennies and copper cookware can hold the virus for four hours;
- Glass – One of the surfaces that can hold the virus the longest, it can live on your glass windows, mirrors, and tables for up to five days;
- Ceramics – Similarly, ceramics such as your dishes, mugs, and pottery can also keep the virus alive for five days;
- Paper – If you get the mail or newspaper, the coronavirus can stay between a few minutes to five days. The length varies depending on the strain, but it needs further research to determine the exact variants;
The Bottom Line: Knowing How to Properly Clean and Disinfect Surfaces in Your Home
Different materials have distinct properties that stimulate the coronavirus. Some keep the virus alive for 23 hours, while other touchpoints offer conditions that let it live for up to three days. Knowing what surfaces deserve more attention and disinfection can improve your efforts at ensuring your home is COVID-free as much as possible.
How Can We Help Make Your Home a Healthy Place to Live In?
If you need a helping hand to do the dirty work for you, we’re a professional home cleaning company in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, that can take the struggle away from cleaning your home.
Get in touch with us today and see how our expert cleaners can keep your home spick-and-span from floor-to-ceiling.
