The global Coronavirus pandemic has made it extremely crucial, now more than ever, to make cleaning and disinfecting the house the highest item on our priority list. While most of us are doing our best to commit to self-quarantine and the advised hygiene procedures, it is still extremely important to take precautionary measures when it comes to your living space, such as cleaning, sterilizing, and disinfecting the house and furniture. And in this article, we’ll be giving you a few tips on how to keep your home clean and corona-free.

101. How to clean and disinfect your house

Before you start, put on a pair of disposable gloves. Now, let’s get to cleaning…

Cleaning

Clean all surfaces with soap and water. Make sure to have routine cleaning for all surfaces that are touched on a regular or daily basis, which includes: tables, doorknobs, light switches, offices, phones, keys, toilets, faucets, sinks, and etc.

Disinfecting

Wash all the tools you use with soap and water or use any other alcohol-based detergent that you have in the house.

It is highly recommended to use house detergents that are verified by the Environmental Protection Agency EPA. For maximum efficiency, make sure to follow the instructions written on the products.

Most detergents recommend the following: 

• Leaving the surface wet for a long period, until it dries on its own.
• Wearing protective gloves and making sure the area is well-ventilated while using the product.
• Using diluted bleach solutions for the appropriate surfaces.
• Checking the instructional poster to know if your bleach detergent is suitable for house disinfection or not. Also, make sure to check the expiry date on the product to make sure it is not expired.
• A valid house bleaching detergent would work perfectly in disinfecting the house if used correctly.
• Never mix the house bleaching detergent with any other cleaning substance, such as Ammonia.
• Leave the detergent on the cleaned surfaces for at least one minute to dry.

If you want to make your own detergent, here’s how: Add 5 tablespoons of bleach powder to a gallon of water, or 4 teaspoons of bleach powder to a liter of water.

 Soft Surfaces

For soft surfaces such as floors, carpets, and curtains, use soap and water to clean, or use detergents suitable for such fabrics.

Speaking of fabrics, when it comes to washing your clothes, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the amount of product and temperature of the water. It is also advised to use an EPA verified detergent on the clothes during or after the wash to give you an extra defensive layer against viruses of all types, especially, COVID-19.

Electronics

For electronics of different types, such as computers, cellphones, touchpads, keyboards, and remote-controls, it is best to place a protective cleanable cover on top that you clean regularly.

As for the cleaning process, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to clean and disinfect your electronic devices. If no instructions were found, use wipes or sprays that have at least 70% pure alcohol, then let your device air dry until it’s completely dry.

Clothes

As for clothes, towels, and other fabrics, it is advised to use your cleaning products according to the manufacturer’s instructions and add warm water.

Make sure to wear disposable protective gloves while handling the dirty clothes, especially those of a sick person. And don’t forget to wash or sterilize your hands directly after finishing up with your laundry.

Hands

According to WHO, it is advised to wash your hands with soap and water repeatedly throughout the day for at least 20 seconds.

If soap and water are not available at hand, disinfect your hand using an alcohol-based sanitizer, just make sure it contains at least 70% pure alcohol.

The main times to clean or disinfect your hands include:

• After coughing or sneezing.
• After using the bathroom.
• Before or after cooking and eating.
• After coming in touch with pet animals.
• Before or after coming in contact with a stranger or someone who is been in public recently.

Remember to avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands at all times, especially with dirty hands.

Bedrooms & Bathrooms

• If you start feeling sick, try, if you can, to have a separate bedroom and bathroom from the rest of the house.
• Make sure to clean and disinfect the area surrounding you with an alcohol-based detergent so that it doesn’t transfer the infection to someone else.
• If you start feeling sick, have your personal hygiene kit ready, it must contain, tissue bag, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and an EPA approved detergent.
• If you have babies, old people, or anyone with a weak immune system living with you, try, if you can to quarantine yourself from them once you start showing sickness symptoms and until you’re all recovered.
• If you have to use a shared bathroom, make sure to clean and disinfect the bathroom before and after you use it.

Food

• If you are showing any sickness symptoms, make sure to eat your meals separately in your room.
• Wear protective gloves while washing the dishes and handling them, make sure to wash they’re washed thoroughly with warm water and soap, either by hand or in the dishwasher.
• Wash or disinfect your hand once you take off the disposable gloves.

Garbage

Dedicate a separate trashcan for those are sick or showing symptoms. Put on disposable protective gloves when taking out the trash, and wash your hand thoroughly after.

Now that you know how to disinfect every single thing under your roof, including yourself. The only thing left to remind you of is to try your best to stay home to stay safe, you and everyone you care about.