As the Covid-19 cases continue to rise in the United States, people continue to search for effective ways to protect themselves from the virus. With over 1.5 million cases in the country, some areas chose to lock down their cities.
And with the world on a standstill, you likely have more time to disinfect your home. But the question is do you know how to disinfect your home or office correctly? Do you have the right cleaning materials on hand?
Continue reading below as we discuss five key ways to disinfect your place during the pandemic.
1. Clean First, Then Disinfect
One of the most important truths behind effective disinfection is this: Clean first before disinfecting. Though cleaning and disinfecting interconnect, they are not the same.
You cannot effectively disinfect rooms and surfaces if you didn’t clean them thoroughly, to begin with.
Cleaning means removing any contaminants from the target surface. These contaminants can be food residue, dust, or debris. On the other hand, disinfecting pertains to killing the pathogens.
These are your viruses, fungi, and germs, among others. To effectively clean a surface, take a clean hand towel. Mix some soap with water using nitrile gloves.
Dip the hand towel into the soapy water mixture and wipe the surface clean. When cleaning surfaces, make sure you are wearing a pair of disposable gloves. Also, don’t wipe in a circular motion, as this will only redeposit the germs.
Instead, wipe toward a single direction.
Leave the surface wet for a few minutes. This will help ensure that the disinfectant kills the pathogens. After a few minutes, wipe the surface dry.
Every time you disinfect any surface, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after.
2. Focus on the Key Areas
When cleaning and disinfecting your house or office, make sure to work thoroughly on the key areas. Start with your kitchen, as this is an area where germs and viruses thrive. Focus on the surfaces where you prepare your food.
Clean and disinfect your countertops, chopping boards, and even your utensils and cooking scissors. Moreover, wipe and disinfect the shelves. Do the same thing for the drawers and the handles.
Don’t forget to clean up your fridge. Wipe and disinfect the freezer doors and handles. In case you have reusable grocery bags, soak them in hot, soapy water after every use.
Another key area is the bathroom. Clean and disinfect the drawers, cabinets, and the handles. Do the same thing with the toilet, the floor, and the wall.
As for your towels, wash them frequently. Use a dedicated towel for drying your hands.
When it comes to your bedroom, make sure to wash and replace your pillowcases more frequently. Pay attention to that lampshade and curtain pulls. Clean and disinfect your remote controls.
3. Don’t Forget the “Hot Spots”
Apart from disinfecting the key rooms, you also need to cover the “hot spots.” These are the things that you often touch. Aside from the handles of your cabinets and drawers, make sure to disinfect all doorknobs.
Using the clean towel + soapy water formula, wipe your doorknobs, especially on your main door and bathroom.
Furthermore, you need to disinfect your work desk. Clean and wipe the surface of your table before working on your laptop. And speaking of your laptop, make sure to clean the keyboard before typing.
Don’t forget your mouse too.
If you have a telephone on your desk, disinfect it as well. Do the same thing with your mobile phones and tablets. When disinfecting your devices, use a disinfecting wipe.
You may also take a cotton ball and damp it with a little alcohol. Make sure the alcohol is at least 70 percent.
If you have any personal files that you often take in and out of your drawers, disinfect them too.
4. Use the Right Solution
The cleaning and disinfecting method is only half of the battle. You also need to have the right ammunition. In this case, it is your disinfectant.
But what is the best option that effectively kills corona virus? Well, many are worth looking at.
Incidentally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a list of effective disinfectants against coronavirus.
Just in case you cannot find one nearby, you have the option to go the DIY route. To create a homemade disinfectant, you need 1 quart of water, 4 teaspoons of household bleach, and a spray bottle.
Pour both inside the spray bottle and shake vigorously.
5. Mind Your Laundry
Last but not least, don’t forget about your laundry. Even if you rarely go outside, you only need a few droplets of the Covid-19 virus to attach to your clothing for you to catch it.
Thus, handle your laundry while wearing a pair of disposable gloves. Also, be careful when handling your clothes. Avoid shaking them when dumping them into the washing machine.
Use warm water when washing. Make sure to dry them thoroughly before wearing them.
Also, disinfect your other accessories. These include your watches, bracelets, and other jewelry.
For your footwear, it is best to assign one pair that you will use every time you go out. Never take this pair indoors. Furthermore, you want to disinfect them even if you will keep them outdoors.
Furthermore, disinfect the surfaces that come in contact with your clothes. Also, consider using a liner for your hamper.
Important Reminders
If you are living with someone who is sick, make sure he stays in a separate room. Isolation is crucial until he gets well. Also, you should only disinfect the patient’s area if you are wearing disposable gloves and a face mask.
If you are using a shared bathroom, disinfect it after every use. For your dishes, make sure he uses a different set. Disinfect his plates and silverware too.
Beat Covid-19 with Knowledge
Learning how to disinfect the right way is essential in these trying times. But disinfecting correctly is only one of the many ways to beat coronavirus. You need to continue expanding your knowledge to ensure the safety of your family.
Check out our other articles and blog posts. We discuss tips and expert suggestions that will keep you safe from Covid-19 infection.
