In our current fight against the pandemic, people in the whole world are being told to just stay home. This is because it would be too difficult for people to control the cleanliness of everything that they touch in public settings. Being in public transportations, touching the surfaces in grocery stores or using the public restrooms increase one’s risk of contracting the virus.
Knowing where those viruses usually dwell is one thing but knowing how to eliminate them is also another. However, bodies of research prove that viral infections can also be acquired in indoor environments such as the home. So, is your home really safe from viral infections? Read the following checklist and see which among these cleaning and disinfecting measures you have already practiced. If not, it is high time for you to do so.
Wear the right protective gear and use proper disinfectant.
Before you start cleaning and disinfecting your home, see to it that you have the right protective gears and the right disinfectant chemicals or solutions to do the job. Wear disposable gloves to keep your hands from preventing direct contact with the pathogens that are present on the surfaces that you are about to clean.
These disposable gloves are also important for protecting your hands from potential harm caused by chemicals contained in the disinfectant solutions you use while disinfecting and cleaning. Don’t just buy any types of hand gloves. See to it that you view collection before making a decision to buy. This way, you can be assured that the one you purchase perfectly suits your needs. The same thing must be done when buying disinfectants. Opt for the ones that are suitable for home use.
Clean and disinfect commonly touched items.
The dirtiest things in your home include digital devices like computer keyboards, cell phones and tablets. Door knobs, bathroom sink faucet handles and toilet flush handles are also some of the high-touch surfaces that are deemed the dirtiest. When cleaning your electronic gadgets, make sure that you read the manufacturer’s manual first to know how to properly clean and disinfect these devices. Other high-touch surfaces at home are light switches, remote controls, cabinet handles and countertops.
Although viruses such as the virus primarily spread from person to person contact, it is also possible that viruses can be transmitted by touching surfaces with respiratory droplets from an individual who is infected. This is why it is very important that daily cleaning and disinfecting is done especially in high-touch surfaces. Regularly clean these items and surfaces using a detergent and water, before using any disinfectant. If you use a disinfectant spray or wipes, make sure to let it air dry to ensure the elimination of viruses.
Observe good kitchen hygiene.
The kitchen is another crucial area that must be kept clean all the time since it is where food preparation occurs on a daily basis. People assigned to do kitchen chores must observe common sense hygiene at all times. Family members who are sick especially with a contagious disease or viral infection must not be allowed to go near the kitchen to avoid spreading the virus should they cough, sneeze or talk.
If somebody at home is sick, he should have his designated glasses, plates and other eating utensils. Use hot water when washing these things using the dishwasher or just clean it thoroughly with soap and water. Remember to disinfect high touch surfaces in the kitchen such as fridge handles, countertops and drawer pulls.
Bathrooms should be given high-priority.
The bathroom is another high-priority area when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting. The entire bathroom must be kept clean at all times and should be disinfected on a daily basis. The toilet, sink and shower room should also be given extra attention. Toothbrushes must be placed separate from each other.
Hand towels must be regularly washed. Bath towels must not be shared with sick family members. Use a disinfectant spray and then wipe the surfaces using a sponge or cloth. These surfaces have to remain wet from the disinfectant solution for the entire duration of the recommended time as stated in the product label of the disinfectant spray being used.
Isolate sick household members.
This is a must especially if the person who’s sick has viral infection. Virus can be transmitted between people within 6 feet apart from each other. So, if someone is sick with a viral infection such as virus, do not let other family members share the bedroom with him. If possible, he should have his own bathroom and toilet,too. A sick individual must be prohibited from having direct contact with other members in the household.
If possible, visitors must also be prohibited from getting inside the house for as long as someone is sick. When someone else has to do the sick person’s laundry, he or she must use hand gloves, face masks and avoid shaking the laundry so as not to spread the virus. Wash it thoroughly with enough detergent and dry it using high heat temperature.
Whatever cleaning and disinfecting product you use, never forget to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water once you’re done with the task. Throw your disposable gloves directly in the trash bin to avoid it contaminating your cleaned surfaces. If you use disinfecting wipes, wipe the surface only once and use the wipes only once, too. This is to avoid cross contamination of surfaces or equipment that you are trying to clean and disinfect.
A 2016 study revealed that there are several factors that can influence the life of bacteria and viruses at home. Some of these include the type of materials (porous or non-porous), household members’ cleaning habits and the disinfectant or cleaning solutions being used. The lifestyle practices of everybody in the household is also one factor that affects life, as well as the accumulation of pathogens at home. The more often that cleaning and disinfecting are done, the less likely it would be for these germs to multiply and accumulate. If everybody observes good hygiene practices, their risk for contracting diseases from pathogens at home will also be reduced.
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