Our homes are regarded as safe havens where we can recuperate from the outside world, but recent circumstances have made it a place where the virus can thrive. Dirty hands, shoes, clothes, and mobile devices serve as the main mode of transmission of the coronavirus, which is why it’s important to learn how to clean your home properly—even if it looks clean already.
To keep the clutches of COVID-19 at bay, here is a step-by-step guide to keeping your home healthy and well-disinfected:
Step #1: Learn the difference between clean and disinfected
Cleaning and disinfecting are two different things. Cleaning removes contaminants from the surface, but it’s disinfecting that kills pathogens. Experts highly encourage homeowners to do both, even if no one at home is sick.
Doing both cleaning and disinfecting daily reduces the risk of transmission, especially if members of the household interact with the outside world daily.
Step #2: Prepare for cleaning and disinfecting
Cleaning your home goes beyond just wiping and sweeping. To ensure that no type of pathogen thrives, you’ll need to prepare with extra effort. You’ll need chemicals that may be harmful, so it’s best to wear rubber gloves. You’ll need proper disinfectants, as well, and here are the most recommended:
- Disinfecting wipes (Clorox, Lysol)
- Disinfectant spray (Purell, Clorox, Lysol)
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Isopropyl alcohol
Before disinfecting, make sure to clean surfaces first. Rotate the cloth onto each item and surface—remember that circular motions are necessary, as this prevents you from reinfecting surfaces and spreading germs around. If you’re using wipes, make sure to dispose of them properly.
After cleaning, remember to wash your hands. Even with gloves, pathogens can multiply and work their way into areas unseen, so it’s best to wash according to the birthday song method.
Step #3: Pay attention to high-touch surfaces
Researchers suggest that the coronavirus has the capacity to live on surfaces for up to 24 hours, such as cardboard. Unfortunately, it can live up to two to three days on stainless steel and plastic.
To ensure that no one in your household catches the virus, clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces several times daily. It is crucial even if no one leaves the house, as there’s always a minute chance of exposure. Your parcels from the outside can be a culprit, for instance. Here are more items you need to clean daily:
- Dining chairs
- Doorknobs
- Tables
- Kitchen counters
- Faucets and knobs
- Toilets
- Light switches
- Bathroom counters
- Mobile phones
- Remote controls
Everyone’s home is different, so the list may not suit your needs entirely. Sit down and think about the areas your household interacts with the most. Does it include your patio, sliding doors, or shared computer desktop? Whatever it may be, regularly wipe it down.
The Takeaway: Stay Home, Stay Safe
Unless a vaccine is finally discovered, the pandemic will remain to be at large. In a time of collective trauma, everything is tense, stressful, and terrifying. It may be difficult to understand what to do and how to deal with things, but it’s always best to keep your safety prioritized.
A part of that is keeping your home clean. It may not be much, but doing so keeps the virus away—and from everything that’s going on, it’s enough for now.
Cleaning and disinfecting may perhaps be difficult for you, but services like the Dream Clean Team are always ready to help.
We offer coronavirus cleaning in Fort Walton Beach, and our staff is always ready to keep your home safe and sound! Book an appointment with us today.
