The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 has many of us at home and thinking about just how clean our homes actually are. This is specially true for those who still have to go out in the community to work or run some necessary errands. While keeping the virus away from your home seems like an overwhelming task, there are things that you can do to reduce the risk of it lingering around the surfaces of your home.
Please note: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has a very thorough article about this and we use it here as our main source of information. Our article is meant to be a summary and quick guide so you know which steps to take to keep your home clean and reduce the risk of the virus getting on surfaces, but if someone in your home is at high risk of getting the virus (essential workers who are in contact with the general public), suspected of having coronavirus, or has tested positive, please go to the CDC website and read the full article so you know every little detail about how to disinfect your home. They are still the best and most accurate resource based on the most recent information available about how COVID-19 behaves.
Some background information from the CDC…
According to the CDC website, “Based on what is currently known about COVID-19, spread from person-to-person of this virus happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets. On the other hand, transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented.”
Though there are still lots of questions around COVID-19 and its transmission, the CDC also says the “Current evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials.” and that the “Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.” Of course, you’ll want to clean surfaces that aren’t visibly dirty as well.
What to Clean, Best Practices, and How Often to Do It
There are two types of cleaning here. The first one (and the one we’re focusing on) is a general home cleaning and disinfection routine that will help you prevent the potential spread of of the virus on surfaces around your home. The second type is a more in-depth cleaning for homes with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. If this is the case in your home, make sure to read the information provided on the CDC website.
Cleaning vs. disinfecting
Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. It does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting refers to using chemicals, for example, EPA-registered disinfectants, 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.
Note: In case you’re wondering, at RM Cleaning we use a combination of both of these methods as needed so that we can disinfect your home while at the same time cleaning and removing the visible impurities and germs. We know the right technique for the different areas of your home!
What to clean & disinfect
Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily
Tables, counters, chair backs, doorknobs, light switches, hand railings, fridge handles, remotes, cell phones, lamp switches, etc.
Wash dishes daily
If you’re using your dishwasher at 120-150 degrees, your dishes will be safe and sanitized once they’re done washing. If you’re handwashing, add a soaking step where you place dishes in a solution of one tablespoon of unscented chlorine bleach and one gallon of cool water. Let them soak in the solution for two minutes before you drain and let your dishes air dry.
Remove shoes and clean your dogs’ paws
If you don’t do this already, it might be a good idea to start having indoor-only shoes that you can change into when you arrive home from work or the grocery store. If you have a dog that you walk around high traffic areas, it might also be a good idea to wipe their paws with doggy wipes or with some water, soap, and a clean cloth. Remember that they’ll be going into your home, carpet, and furniture. Now more than ever it’s important to make sure we keep those paws clean!
Note: Use only wipes made specially for dogs, as human wipes may have ingredients that are harmful for them if they licked their paws after use, such as Propylene Glycol. Before purchasing some doggy wipes, check out this article with tons of useful information on the subject. Also, NEVER use any sort of bleach solution to clean your dog’s paws. It will burn their skin and get you a very stressful and expensive trip to the vet.
Disinfect bathrooms used by anyone feeling “a little off”
One of the tricky things about this virus is that the symptoms vary so much from person to person, with some not showing any symptoms at all (that’s why preventative cleaning is so important!). If someone in the home that has been out of the home is feeling even a little unwell, try to limit the areas of the home they frequent and use a separate bathroom from the rest of the household, if that’s an option. If you don’t have a second bathroom, make sure to have them clean the surfaces they use right after they use them and to try to touch as few things as possible.
Disinfect the bathroom thoroughly until that person feels better using bleach solutions, disinfecting wipes, or other products in the EPA’s recommended list.
Great Home Cleaning Products and Tools to Have On Hand
Disposable gloves: You’ll need to wear these whenever you’re cleaning or doing laundry, so stock up!
Disinfectants: The Spruce outlines a few fail-safe disinfectants that kill viruses and bacteria:
Chlorine Bleach: Mix a solution of 5 tablespoons of fresh bleach per gallon of water. To be effective as a disinfectant, there must be a 5.25% to 6.15% concentration of sodium hypochlorite in the product, so check the label. Chlorine bleach is both light and temperature-sensitive. Whether the bottle is opened or not, it will lose potency within six to 12 months after purchase.
Isopropyl Alcohol: Make sure that the alcohol content is at least 70% in any alcohol-based cleaning solution or wipe. This is the only way it will be effective as a disinfectant against COVID-19.
Lots of scrubbers and towels: Grab both gentle and tough scrubbers as well as some gentle microfiber cloths. Remember that to clean and remove germs and visible dirt and stains you still need to do some rubbing and scrubbing, as bleach solutions alone won’t do the trick.
A final word…
We miss our clients so much and can’t wait to help you keep your home clean and safe from illness once again, but in the mean time, we hope you’re all staying safe and taking the necessary precautions. If you ever have any questions about how to clean something or would like recommendations for cleaning products or equipment, please let us know! We’d love to help you keep your home tidy and clean until we can take over once again.
While we’re not offering our regular (and much-loved!) home cleaning services right now, we are available for move-in and move-out cleanings, real estate cleanings, and more. Just send us a message or request a free virtual estimate appointment and save 10% on your first future cleaning appointment.