We’re living in an unprecedented time. The Covid-19 pandemic has turned out lives upside down and created a new normal that sees most of us spending the bulk of our time at home. Health experts have warned that it is imperative that everyone do their part to help slow down the spread of the coronavirus and as a result, social distancing and sheltering in place have become the new norm. Cleaning and sanitising surfaces in your home can also help lower your chances of contract Covid-19 and lower the chances you might spread it to someone else. But, what are the most effective ways to clean your home during the Covid-19 pandemic? Check out our top 5 Coronavirus home cleaning tips to ensure your home is spick and span.
Know the difference between cleaning and disinfecting
To keep your home clean and lower your chances of contracting or spreading the coronavirus at home, it’s important to now that cleaning and disinfecting are not the same. While cleaning surfaces with a general household cleaner (such as soap and water) removes germs, you need to use a disinfectant to kill them. While it has been shown that the virus is easily destroyed by most common household cleaning products, it is also important to disinfect high-touch surfaces on a regular basis. Focus on high-touch areas such as tap handles, doorknobs, stair rails and countertops.
Find the best prices on Covid-19 cleaning products online with PriceCheck now:
Clean before you disinfect
Although you’re most likely reaching for the disinfectant first, you should thoroughly clean the surface with a soapy sponge or cloth, wait for it to dry, and then apply disinfectant after.
Once you’ve disinfected a surface, make sure you don’t touch or wipe the surface for at least 30 seconds to allow the disinfectant to dry. When the time has passed, rinse the surface with clean water. For the best results, use a diluted household bleach solution, 70% alcohol solutions, or a household disinfectant product. You can make your own disinfectant by mixing 4 teaspoons of bleach to 1.1 litres of water in a spray bottle.
Wear disposable or rubber gloves
Many common household cleaning products and disinfectants can be very harsh on the skin. To protect your hands and limit your contact with the germs on your household surfaces, wear disposable or rubber gloves. Once you’re done cleaning, dispose of the gloves or toss them in the wash and immediately wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. Make sure you also use separate gloves for the bathroom and the dishes and mark their intended use accordingly.
Clean your cleaning tools
Don’t forget to disinfect or clean your cleaning tools. Regular cleaning will be counter-productive if the tools you’re using are infected with bacteria. Sponges and cloths hold onto a host of germs. These need to be washed with disinfectant soap and hot water or replaced regularly. If you’re not already, you should sanitise your mop between uses, otherwise, you’re simply spreading the germs every time you mop. To keep your cleaning tools free from germs, place your sponges in soapy water and then into the microwave for two minutes or put it in the dishwasher to help kill any festering colonies of germs between uses.
Find the best prices on Covid-19 cleaning products online with PriceCheck now:
Clean your electronics
While most of us are regularly cleaning our homes, many people forget to clean their electronics in the process. Whether it be your smartphone, tablet, mouse, keyboard or TV remote control, it’s important that we regularly wipe down these items to ensure they stay clean and are free from harmful bacteria. Electronic devices do not handle liquid cleaning items well so avoid using rubbing alcohol, disinfectants, or similar sprays on your devices as using these can damage the protective coating on your phone’s screen. Instead, turn off your device, lightly dampen a microfibre cloth with soap and water, and scrub the screen. This works just as well with other electronic device surfaces as well.
Find the best prices on all your Covid-19 essential products online with PriceCheck now:
