Posted on: Nov 9, 2020 | | Written by:

How to Clean & Disinfect Households to Stay Protected from Coronavirus?

COVID-19 has created chaos around the world. To keep ourselves safe, we have to follow certain practices like wearing masks, social distancing and hand hygiene. But there’s one more thing that we should not ignore. Keeping our homes clean and hygienic. If you are wondering since the virus spreads from human-to-human, what’s the need to thoroughly clean the house? Well, SARS-CoV-2 stays active for hours to days on surfaces such as doorknobs, countertops, touchscreen devices, etc. This makes it crucial to regularly clean and disinfect the household to stay protected from COVID-19.

Cleaning & Disinfecting your House to Stay Away from COVID-19

How should you clean your household? How should you do your laundry? Let’s find out.

1. Ways to Clean Your Home during COVID-19

Keeping the house clean has always been a good way to maintain hygiene. Now, in the wake of COVID-19, it has become crucial and kind of mandatory to keep the virus away.Cleaning will not kill the germs, but it certainly helps to remove germs, dirt,and impurities from surfaces. This reduces the risk of spreading infection. Here are some tips for cleaning inside your home:

  • Wear disposable or reusable gloves at all times while cleaningyour house

  • Wearing gloves while running errands may not help you stay safe from COVID-19. This is why CDC recommends regularly washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. You can also use hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol

  • Use soap and water to clean the surfaces, dry them properly afterwards

  • Regularly clean, high-touch surfaces. These surfaces include touchscreen devices, tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, keyboards, toilets, etc.

2. What Are The Daily Disinfecting Practices While At Home?

Disinfecting is a little different from cleaning. Before using a disinfectant, first clean the surface with soap and water. Leave the disinfectant solution on the surface for at least a minute in order to be effective. Do not wipe off the solution as soon as you have applied it. Always read the instructions before disinfecting any product to ensuresensitive products like touchscreen devices are not damaged. You can use wipe able covers for the electronics.

Carpet & Other Soft Furnishings

  • Use soap and hot water to clean off carpets or with cleaners recommended for soft surfaces

  • Steam can also help to clean, but it is not as promising

  • Wear disposable or reusable gloves at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after removing the gloves

Kitchen

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before eating or cooking

  • According to WHO, SARS-CoV-2 does not spread through food, so no need to worry about it

  • Clean food-preparation surfaces with soap and water, or any other cleaning product

  • Clean the surfaces immediately after use

  • The dishes and utensils used by a sick person should be cleaned with hot water and soap or in a dishwasher. It is advised to wear disposable gloves whilehandling used dishes of sick persons

  • Remember to thoroughly wash your hands after taking off the gloves

High-Touch Surfaces

  • These surfaces include door and window handles, bathroom surfaces, kitchen surfaces, toilets, taps, and electronics (desktops, laptops, touchscreen devices, etc.)

  • While cleaning electronics, use at least 70% alcohol-based solution and dry the surfaces thoroughly

  • For other surfaces, use soap and water or detergent

  • Wear gloves while disinfecting, clean hands thoroughly and immediately after removing the gloves

Washrooms

  • Keep the toilet clean with a recommended toilet cleaning agent

  • Frequently clean bathroom floors and other surfaces if it is regularly used

  • Clean out shower trays. In case the shower has not been used for long, let it run hot water before using

Laundry

  • Do not dust off dirty laundry inside the house

  • Follow manufacturer’s instructions to clean the clothes. However, use the warmest water setting and remember to dry them completely

  • Use disposable gloves at all times while handling dirty laundry of the sick person

  • You can wash the infected person’s laundry with others

  • Once done, dispose off the gloves and wash your hands properly (at least 20 seconds)

Important Tips

  • According to the CDC , unexpired household bleach is effective against coronavirus when the bleach contains 5.25%-8.25% sodium hypochlorite

  • Always avoid mixing household bleach with cleansers like ammonia

  • Ensure alcohol solutions contain at least 70% alcohol

Conclusion

Keeping in mind the current COVID-19 pandemic, we recommend following the above-mentioned precautions to keep ourselves safe.But what if the house catches fire or there is some pipe leakage or short circuit? Spending money on fixing these can burn a hole in your pocket. Buy home insurance online with comprehensive coverage that will take care of all expenses and keep your savings intact. Stay home. Stay safe!

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.


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