While it takes vaccines from specialists to combat pandemics and treat victims, thankfully, all that is needed to contain the spread of the disease lie mainly within the capability of an average person.
Beyond the need to maintain social distancing from one another, there is the need to be aware that each time we step out of our homes and touch any surface, we are at the risk of bringing the virus back home with us.
One of the ways to curtail the spread of this virus is by practicing good hygiene within the home. Here are some tips on keeping your home clean and safe during a pandemic like COVID-19.
- Take precaution right from the doorway
When returning from the street or your workplace, assuming that you are an essential worker, wash or sanitize your hands before touching the doorknob of your house. Wipe down bags and other items you might be carrying before entering.
Clothes should be taken off and properly stored in laundry baskets immediately after every trip outside your home. According to experts, shaking clothes before washing will only increase the risk of self-contamination. Your best bet is to wash such clothes in warm water.
- Clean surfaces that are most frequently touched very often
These surfaces include phones, doorknobs, keyboards, handles, remote controls, faucets, light switches, toilets, etc. Cleaning products that contain disinfectants are most suitable for this task.
- Use the right cleaning products in the right proportion
Trying to disinfect surfaces with a product that has been overdiluted is tantamount to not disinfecting at all. Health workers have confirmed that household bleach solutions are as effective for disinfecting.
They recommend adding 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach to a gallon of water or 4 teaspoons bleach to a quart of water for efficient cleaning.
- Pay extra attention to the kitchen and bathroom when cleaning
Recent studies reveal that most viruses can survive on surfaces between 24 hours to 3 days, depending on the type of surface.
As bathrooms and kitchens are the areas most prone to germs in the home, cleaning experts suggest that thorough attention should be paid to getting rid of the germs in these locations.
Start by cleaning hard surfaces with soap and water first, and then also disinfect them afterward. While cleaning removes germs, disinfecting kills them, creating no way of escape for whichever stubborn germs might have missed the initial cleaning exercise.
- Organize a cleaning routine
This largely depends on the size of a household and its members’ level of exposure to the disease. Healthcare workers and families that have produced COVID-19 patients will need to thoroughly clean surfaces and repeat the process very often.
While average families can get by just fine with wiping surfaces a few times daily and doing laundry and general cleaning a few times a week. This is a luxury that many large families who are at a higher risk of spreading germs and healthcare workers cannot afford.
About Author: Adam is a blogger and writer. He lives and breathes in blogging industry. He loves
to write on home improvement tips.
