As the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) has caused us to spend more time at home, our April home maintenance checklist focuses on keeping your home clean and disinfected.
Whether you’re venturing out to the grocery store or having food delivered, germs could be carried into your home. Studies have found the virus may live on surfaces for hours to days, so it’s important not only to clean, but also to disinfect surfaces.
The Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting.
Cleaning is the first step to disinfecting. If a surface is visibly dirty, clean it with soap and water, then use a disinfectant. Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces using chemicals, helping to reduce the risk of spreading infection when done after cleaning.
How to Disinfect Commonly Used Surfaces
It’s important to disinfect frequently used surfaces in your home, such as doorknobs, handles, tables, countertops, keyboards, remote controls and light switches, especially if a family member has been to a public place, or if someone in your household is sick.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends wearing disposable gloves when disinfecting, having good ventilation and following cleaning product labels to ensure the product is appropriate for the surface. Although it is best to follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and disinfecting guidelines for household items, here’s some additional guidance from the CDC that may help prevent the spread of the virus.
- Carpets, rugs and drapes. Clean with soap and water or appropriate household cleaners, then launder, if possible, on the warmest water setting.
- Electronics. Follow manufacturer’s instructions, but if no guidance is available, use wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol, keeping liquid away from the openings of electronics, then allow to dry before using.
- Laundry. Wash on the warmest setting your clothes and linens can handle. Avoid shaking dirty laundry and wash hands after handling dirty laundry.
We’re all in this together. Stay healthy and remember by taking a few precautions, we can help keep the virus at bay and our families safe during these unprecedented times.