Cleaning during COVID-19 pandemic it’s crucial. With the majority of the United States hunkering down to prevent the spread of the COVID-19, experts are warning of germs that can still make their way inside our homes. Just because we’re home, it doesn’t mean we’re invincible to these germs. The virus can last for several hours on different types of surfaces.
While it may seem like a lot of different areas that you have to clean, the CDC recommends cleaning and disinfecting high-touch areas like door knobs, light switches, tables and towels – first. This is why it’s a great idea to hire residential and commercial cleaning services.
Instead of just focusing on cleaning or removing germs with soap and water, experts say you should clean first, and then disinfect the areas using chemicals to make sure those germs are fully killed. To give you a helping hand, we compiled the latest expert information on what is known about cleaning during COVID-19 and tips to help keep it out of your home.
What do you need to know? Cleaning during COVID-19 pandemic
- Regular cleaning and disinfecting is advised around the home to help limit the spread of the virus (as well as practicing good hygiene and limiting the risk of the virus coming into your home in the first place). In case you don’t have time, hire the best residential cleaning services to take care of it.
- Most everyday cleaning products, or even soap and water, will be suitable for thorough cleaning (although to kill the virus on a surface, a disinfectant is needed).
- Some studies have shown that the virus can live on hard surfaces for up to nine days, but can be eradicated in a minute with effective disinfecting.
We’re all now very aware of the personal precautionary measures we need to put in place to help limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. As well as physical isolation, good hygiene such as regular hand-washing with soap and water and not touching your face – in fact, trying not to touch anything – it’s also important to clean and disinfect surfaces around the home thoroughly to remove the COVID-19 virus and limit its spread.
Of course, if someone in your house has tested positive for COVID-19, or you’re in self-isolation due to travel or coming in contact with someone who has the virus, it’s even more important to clean and disinfect regularly (as well as putting other precautionary measures in place).
What’s the difference between cleaning and disinfecting?
Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces (it doesn’t kill germs but can reduce them and reduce the risk of spreading an infection).
Disinfecting refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
The best plan of action is to first clean surfaces by removing the dirt, using an all-purpose cleaner, and then apply disinfectant to get rid of the virus (the first step makes the virus easier to remove in the second step).
You may want to clean and disinfect after visitors or in high-traffic areas or communal outdoor areas that others may have visited, and especially areas with high contact such as doorknobs and handles.
The cleaning products you should use against COVID-19
There’s a good chance you probably already have the cleaning products you need in your home. Your everyday cleaning methods and supplies, applied with diligent scrubbing, will help reduce the risk of spreading the virus. When it comes to cleaning products, the cleaning staff of the maid service knows what’s best for you.
It’s important to first clean with a detergent and water, then disinfect with a bleach-based solution or an alcohol-based solution with at least 70% alcohol.
Your choice of cleaning product will be determined by the type of surface you’re cleaning and how likely it is that it is contaminated by the COVID-19 virus. If you feel the risk of contamination is high, you may like to opt for a stronger bleach-based solution for the disinfecting part of the process.
Note: Check the label to ensure the product kills viruses (not just bacteria).
General sanitizers and disinfectant products
General sanitizers and cleaners that make claims such as ‘antibacterial’ do not have to be regulated or approved by the EPA. However, disinfectants do, so these products will list the ingredients they contain.
Studies show that disinfectant products containing at least 62–71% ethanol, 0.5% accelerated hydrogen peroxide or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite can remove a virus within one minute.
However, to ensure the product you are using is effective, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and, generally, make sure it has contact with the surface for at least 5–10 minutes to ensure it kills any viruses.
You can also use diluted household bleach solutions for disinfecting. But you should never mix cleaning chemicals and detergents, or chemical-based products with natural-based chemicals such as vinegar-based detergents.
The 10 most important things to disinfect regularly
- Countertops, desks, tables.
- Doorknobs.
- Light switches.
- Handles — cupboards, drawers, appliances.
- Toilets.
- Sinks.
- Bathtub, shower.
- Remote controls.
- Towels, sheets, clothing.
- Phones, tablets, keyboards, etc.
Remember: if you’re correctly self-isolating, it’s enough to clean and disinfect your home at least three times a week during this time. If someone in your household is sick, though, then make sure to clean and disinfect every day, especially near the room of the infected person.
If you’re looking for the best residential and janitorial cleaning services, contact Marianna’s Cleaning.
