With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, people are prioritizing disinfection and cleaning more than ever. People want to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their homes from COVID-19 and the harm it can cause. But more than just cleaning must be done. Proper disinfection must be conducted to provide the most effective protection against potential coronavirus contamination.
Continue reading to learn more about disinfection and cleaning and how to properly protect you and your home from COVID-19.
Cleaning versus Disinfecting versus Sanitizing
These three terms have been used increasingly and sometimes even interchangeably. However, it is important to note that to substitute them for one another is inaccurate. Though each one concerns harming germs and bacteria, all are different. Learn what each one constitutes to ensure you can properly protect yourself and your home from coronavirus:
- Cleaning: the process of removing bacteria, dirt, germs, and viruses
- Disinfecting: the process of killing germs through the use of chemicals, yet does not remove them
- Sanitizing: the process of removing and reducing germs to a level deemed safe by public health standards
How to Protect Your Home from COVID-19
General Disinfection and Cleaning
In general, focus on regularly cleaning high contact objects and surfaces. These are the places where coronavirus is most likely to spread to others, so limit the germs and bacteria that build up there. Examples of such high-touch objects include doorknobs and handles, light switches, and faucets.
When cleaning, use only EPA-approved products. Other products may claim to be effective for killing germs and bacteria, but those claims have not been lab-tested and proven by the EPA.
Furthermore, protect yourself by wearing gloves and other personal protective equipment. If you use disposable gloves, throw them out after every cleaning. If you use reusable gloves, designate them for only COVID-19 disinfection and cleaning. This prevents cross contamination.
Before disinfecting any surfaces, take the time to clean them first. This provides the best protection against coronavirus and other illnesses.
Handwashing
Proper hand washing can prevent the spread of Covid-19 (click image to enlarge)
In addition to cleaning high-touch areas often, regular handwashing is key for preventing the spread of coronavirus and protecting your home from it. With clean hands, there will be less germs to spread which will help prevent a germ buildup on commonly touched surfaces.
Thoroughly wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, using soap and water. In the event soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Handwashing, however, is always the preferred method to clean your hands. Hand sanitizer should be used as a last resort.
Cleaning Soft/Porous Surfaces
To start, clean any visible dirt and other contamination from the surface. After treating that area, launder the item according to the provided instructions. Ideally, you should use the setting that uses the warmest water for washing. Then, let the items dry thoroughly.
The same process can be used for clothing and other linens.
Cleaning Electronics
Cell phones, tablets, touch screen devices, and other types of electronics are items that are touched frequently. As such, electronics must be cleaned regularly, but it can be tough to clean them because of their sensitivity. However, there are still ways to clean electronics. Either wipe them down with a 70 percent alcohol-based spray or with alcohol-based wipes.
Cleaning Hard/Non-Porous Surfaces
To clean hard surfaces, use either an EPA-approved cleaning product, diluted bleach solution, or an alcohol solution with at least 70 percent alcohol. If you want to use bleach, follow these measurements to create the solution:
- 4 teaspoons of bleach for every quart of room temperature water
- 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach for every gallon of room temperature water
Always exercise caution when using bleach because it can be harmful to your skin. Furthermore, it can produce dangerous fumes if combined with ammonia or other cleaners, so never mix it with other products. It is also important that you use unexpired bleach. Using bleach past its expiration date is ineffective.
Professional Disinfection and Cleaning for Coronavirus
By using the aforementioned information, your home can be effectively protected from COVID-19. Using these methods to protect your workplace, however, may prove to be more difficult. Commercial settings tend to see larger volumes of people and are much bigger properties compared to residences.
In businesses, people should still regularly wash their hands and clean high-touch surfaces and objects often. But more specialized disinfection and cleaning products and techniques may be necessary to thoroughly clean and disinfect the property as a whole.
At ServiceMaster Disaster Associates, Inc., we have coronavirus cleaning and disinfection services available for commercial properties in Stoneham, MA, and the neighboring areas. Our professional technicians will address all high-touch areas and use specialized equipment and techniques to clean and disinfect your business or commercial setting.
Whether you are being proactive, or responding to a potential outbreak, your business will be effectively protected from COVID-19 with help from our coronavirus cleaning and disinfection services.
Proper Home Cleaning and Disinfection Methods to Protect from COVID-19 was last modified: October 14th, 2020 by ServiceMaster Disaster Associates, Inc.
