With most states and countries calling for their residents to stay inside due to the current pandemic, it important to arm yourself with information to help you get through this troubling time more efficiently. Advantage Waste Disposal has put together a short guide to help you properly disinfect your home in the fight to reduce your chances of spreading or contracting Covid-19.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a virus that causes respiratory disease. It spreads from person to person via droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs. These droplets can land on a surface, or directly on another person if in close proximity. If a healthy person touches a contaminated surface and then proceeds to touch their own mouth, nose or eyes, they may contract the virus.
The most efficient way to prevent contracting COVID-19 is to keep your hands clean and resist the urge to touch your face. Limiting your exposure to sick individuals, practicing good personal hygiene, and keeping your surrounding environment clean will also help reduce your chances of getting sick.
How Can I Reduce My Chances of Getting Sick?
Health experts around the world are encouraging people to practice good personal hygiene. Frequent handwashing with soap and water can help protect you from the novel coronavirus. A good alternative to soap and water is alcohol-based cleaning rubs when soap and water are not available. As more people are working from home, it's also important to make sure your home is kept free of virus particles.
On What Surfaces Can COVID-19 Survive?
Studies show that novel coronavirus particles can survive on metal, cardboard, and plastic surfaces for up to three days. Warm, moist areas like the kitchen and bathroom are more likely to shelter germs. Other areas that should be cleaned regularly are objects that are touched regularly. Mobile phones, remote controls, light switches, doorknobs, and railings are among those that should be cleaned frequently.
Which Products Are Best For Eliminating COVID-19?
Scientists suggest that using EPA registered cleaning products to kill pathogens like COVID-19. It is also important to note that not all cleansers can kill the COVID-19 virus. We suggest these handy germ killers to help battle the outbreaks.
Clorox Multi-Surface cleaner + bleach is a great multi-purpose surface cleaner. This product kills 99.9% of germs including virus particles. You can use this product to disinfect countertops, toilet handles, and faucets.
Lysol Max Cover Mist is an easy spray-on product that promises to kill 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It can disinfect soft and hard surfaces. This is perfect for spraying your sofas and couches, beds, tables and doorknobs, phones, remote controls, and light switches.
Do-it Yourself COVID-19 Cleansers
As the COVID-19 outbreak advances, many the local stores are quickly running out of cleaning supplies and other essentials. If you are unable to find EPA registered products at the store, don't panic. You may be able to make your own commercial-grade cleaning solutions with products you have at home. Never underestimate the power of good ol’ bleach and alcohol.
The active ingredient in bleach is sodium hypochlorite. This is very effective at killing COVID-19 particles. Bleach destroys the proteins which disrupt its reproduction mechanism. You can make your own simple bleach and use wipe down surfaces and keep your home virus free.
Another common household supply is alcohol. Solutions of 70% alcohol have been proven to kill viruses like the novel coronavirus in 30 seconds. A simple dilution of alcohol with 30% water is as good as any store-bought cleaner. You can also use alcohol to make your own homemade hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes.
How To Clean Your Home During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Make a point to wipe down the common surfaces in your home at least once a day. This includes your counters in the kitchen and bathroom as well as your dining table and work desk. Wipe down doorknobs, chair backs, kitchen and bathroom sinks, and any other commonly touched areas. Don’t forget to wipe down light switches, remotes such as for the TV or the air conditioner. If you have children, make sure to wipe down their toys, electronics and other items that they may touch on a regular basis.
Anytime someone comes in from outside, make sure they removed their shoes and leave them outside. If possible have the person go to the nearest bathroom, change their clothing, and place those clothes in a buck or plastic bag. A shower with hot water is recommended, but if that is not possible, washing the hands, face and any other exposed areas with soap and water will suffice.
The clothing should be put in the wash as soon as possible to prevent the spread of any germs lingering on the surface. Wipe down the handles of the bathroom and from the door, as well as any other surfaces they touched when they arrived. Although a person may not be sick themselves, it is possible to carry the virus on their hands or clothes with they come home. Meticulous attention to cleaning and hygiene is the best way to limit and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
When cleaning surfaces that may be contaminated with the coronavirus, you should wear disposable gloves for your own safety. Make sure to also properly dispose of them with each round of cleaning. While cleaning your home, be sure not to touch cloth surfaces to prevent contamination.
Using and then reusing towels during this outbreak can be dangerous. Virus particles can easily live within the towel fibers. You should wash your towels frequently in the high heat setting on your washing machine. For extra precautions, try to allocate a separate towel for each member of the family to ensure that cross-contamination is at a minimum. Try to change your bedsheets and pillow covers frequently as well.
Final Thoughts on Staying Clean During The COVID-19 Outbreak
Try to remember that even if you or others in your household are asymptomatic for COVID-19, practicing caution and proper hygiene is crucial in defeating the virus. Taking the proper preventative measure to keep your home and loved ones safe could be what keeps your home COVID-19 free.