COVID-19 Virus in Winter: Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home
You are probably aware that because of the lower temperatures of winter, it is the worst season for the quick transmission of germs and viruses. And while the nation is still facing this pandemic, it is extremely important to take all the precautionary measures to protect yourself, your family, and your community against the coronavirus.
Engaging in safe practices such as washing hands regularly, maintaining social distance with other people outside of your household, avoiding social gatherings, and staying at home as much as possible as well as getting a flu vaccine can help prevent the spread of the virus. But, more than that, cleaning and disinfecting your home is crucial to keeping you and your family safe and healthy, especially this winter.
How Long Can Coronavirus Live on Surfaces
According to some experts, the novel coronavirus doesn’t like to stay on surfaces with lots of microscopic particles and so it stays on smooth surfaces. But, the survival of the virus relies on the type of surface it lands on. It can remain active on surfaces for a couple of hours up to a couple of days.
- Glass – 4-5 days
- Wood – up to 2 days
- Cardboard – 24 hours
- Plastic – up to 7 days
- stainless steel – 3-7 days
- Copper – 4 hours
While it is apparent that the amount of active viruses decreases over time, you still have to remain vigilant as it can still put everyone at risk of being infected.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home: Tips to Keep Your Household Free of Corona Virus in Winter
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends cleaning and disinfecting your home on a daily basis. Note that cleaning and disinfecting are different processes. Cleaning means removing dirt, germs, and impurities from surfaces. This process does not kill germs but reduces their number, lowering the risk of spreading infections. After cleaning the surface, you need to move into the disinfection process. Disinfecting, on the other hand, is using EPA-registered chemicals to kill germs and bacteria on surfaces. Using these chemicals does not guarantee completely germ-free surfaces, but they can minimize your exposure to the virus.
Furthermore, here are some steps on how to clean and disinfect your home to keep away from the virus in winter:
- Clean highly touched surfaces
These are things that you and your household frequently touch on a daily basis. This includes doorknobs, light switches, tables and desks, countertops, handles, remote controls, toilets, and sinks. Before disinfecting surfaces, make sure to clean them with soap and water.
- Use EPA-registered disinfectant
Once the surface has been cleaned, use an appropriate disinfectant. Make sure to follow the instructions on the labels to ensure that you are using it properly.
You can also use a diluted bleach solution if it is appropriate for the surface. Mix ⅓ cup of bleach to a gallon of water or 4 tsp of bleach to a quart of water. Remember not to mix bleach with ammonia or with any cleaning products.
- Clean and disinfect soft surfaces
When cleaning soft surfaces such as carpets, rugs, and drapes, use soap and water or appropriate cleaners. Then, launder them according to the manufacturer’s instructions, at the warmest appropriate water settings, and dry them completely.
- Clean and disinfect electronics
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and disinfecting tablets, remote control keyboards, and touch screens. You can also use wipes or sprays with at least 70,% alcohol content to clean and disinfect electronics. Dry them thoroughly. You may also consider putting wipeable covers on your electronics.
- Clean and disinfect laundry
When cleaning the laundry, use the warmest proper water setting and dry them completely. Clean and disinfect clothes hamper just like how you do on other surfaces.
Other Steps to Prevent the Spread of the Virus in Winter
- Do not shake dirty laundry to prevent the virus from dispersing through the air.
- Wash hands frequently, especially after cleaning or handling anything touched by a sick person.
- Leave shoes at the door to prevent the virus from entering your home.
- Regularly mop the floor during winter with hot water and disinfectant. Make sure to soak your mop every after use in hot water and a few drops of bleach. Then, rinse it well.
- Wash toys with soap and water and allow them to completely dry.
Professional COVID-19 Cleaning Services
Taking extra precautions can go a long way to prevent the spread and reduce the risk of getting infected this winter. Practicing basic preventative tips like frequent hand washing and cleaning and disinfecting your home can help you protect yourself and your family. You may also consider hiring a professional cleaning service to ensure thorough cleaning and disinfection of your home.
Superior Restoration provides quality COVID-19 cleaning and disinfection services to both commercial and residential properties. You may contact our local office, Water Damage Corona to learn more about our cleaning services.
