How To Disinfect Your Home Against Coronavirus

The number of people being infected by COVID-19 is still rising in some parts of the world. Some countries have managed to slow the spread of the virus, but unless transmission totally stops or vaccines are administered, the threat of contracting the virus will still exist.

Virus transmission occurs mostly through respiratory droplets spread by sneezing, coughing and physical contact, but the virus remains viable for a certain amount of time on some materials. Regular cleaning/disinfecting is as important as social distancing and other primary precautions.

 

• Use the right disinfectants, recommended chemicals

According to the World Health Organization, you can use bleach or chlorine solution for disinfecting your home at a recommended concentration of 1,000 ppm. In simple terms, mix two tablespoons of hypochlorite into 20 liters of water and you’re set for disinfection. This is the right concentration to eliminate majority of microbial pathogens and the novel coronavirus.

If chlorine solution is not readily available, you can use alcohol for disinfection. It is second nature to grab anything branded as a disinfectant without looking at its effective properties, but that could lead to fatal consequences. Isopropyl alcohol at 70% is best for killing coronavirus and anything with lesser concentration may not effectively do so. 

Before disinfecting, use water and soap first to remove dirt and dust to boost the efficiency of chlorine or alcohol. 

• Designate a disinfection zone outside your house 

Regularly disinfecting your house is not enough to keep the virus at bay, you also need to keep a tight security against the virus. You have to remember that it will not stop at your doorstep as it can attach itself to your shoes, clothes and belongings, and entering your home without disinfecting yourself may put your household at risk.

• Keep shoes out

Before entering your house, it is best to remove your shoes and socks. Placing a shoe rack by your doorstep can be convenient to you and your visitors. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that there is a very low likelihood of spreading the virus through shoes which still makes bringing them in your home a gamble considering the seriousness of the invisible disease. Keeping your shoes out is a good preventive measure especially when there are small children in your house who like playing on the floor or putting toys on the floor.

Wash or sanitize hands before entering the house – have a sanitizer ready outside your house for you and visitors.

Air out packages/delivery/mail for 24 hours and disinfect them before bringing them inside the house. Throw out packaging right away. A study has been made indicating that the virus can survive up to 24 hours on cardboard and 3 days on plastic. 

• Clean frequently touched surfaces

It is important to stay ahead of the virus before it allows itself to spread and harm you and others. While it can be transmitted through the air, it can also keep itself alive for hours or days on certain surfaces until someone picks it up. 

Disinfecting frequently touched surfaces can help contain the virus. You can do this with isopropyl alcohol at 70%, bleach/chlorine or soap and water. 

• Home Cleaning Services

Regular cleaning is a must especially when there are family members who go to work or if your home is open to visitors. However, not everyone has the time to clean their homes regularly which is why it is smart to hire professional cleaners to do the job instead.

Professional cleaners also have the right tools and equipment for COVID-19 disinfection. In addition, hiring them can also save you time and money spent on cleaning supplies. You can hire a simple cleaner, or go one step further and hire a nyc housekeeper (or a similar one for your area) who will take charge of all your cleaning and organisational needs.

List of most frequently touched surfaces: 

• Doorknobs
• Cabinet handles
• Chairs
• Tables
• Beds
• Gadgets 
• TV remote
• Gaming controllers 
• Kitchenware 

• Follow Product Instructions

It’s important that you follow the instructions on your cleaning products’ labels to ensure safety and efficiency. These instructions can be found on the packaging, box, or on the product’s label itself. If unsure of how the product is supposed to be used, refer to visual instructions that are available on the Internet.

 

• Proper ventilation is a must

 

Open windows and maintain good air circulation around your home when disinfecting to reduce exposure to chemicals in cleaning products. Prolonged exposure to the toxic chemicals can cause chronic respiratory problems and allergic reactions. 

Prevention is better than cure…

The time, money and effort you will spend regularly disinfecting your house will just be a small price to pay to keep your household healthy and safe compared to the costs of battling the effects of COVID-19 once it enters your respiratory tract. 

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