How To Clean And Disinfect Your Home During The Coronavirus Epidemic
Protecting yourself against COVID-19 begins at home.
Today’s word still feels surreal to me, but here we are isolating ourselves to defeat an invisible enemy. As the world goes into lockdown, people are being told to avoid public places and to remain at home. However, it’s equally important to stay safe and eliminate the risk of contracting the disease at home too. This starts with regular cleaning, disinfecting and going the extra mile when it comes to hand hygiene and handling laundry.
If you have someone at home showing symptoms, or you are in self-quarantine, these steps are even more crucial and important to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Please be aware that the incubation period for anyone showing symptoms can be up to two weeks.
As you know, Covid-19 (coronavirus) has been declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization and has real potential to spread across the USA. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has offered these cleaning recommendations to assist with reducing the spread and prevention of this virus.
What’s the difference between cleaning vs. disinfecting?
Cleaning refers to removing dust, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning doesn’t kill germs but lowers their number, helping to reduce the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting refers to applying a chemical to kill germs, bacterias, or viruses on surfaces. This does not necessarily mean surfaces are cleaned. The proper disinfection method suggests not to wipe the chemical for the amount of time as instructed by its label.
Thus the best is to do both: clean and disinfect surfaces as needed. Use detergent or soapy water to clean frequently touched surfaces (i.e. tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks) and apply the appropriate disinfectant for the surface. Please ensure you are wearing disposable gloves and opening doors and windows when using products for good ventilation.
CHOOSE EFFECTIVE DISINFECTANTS Consult the Environmental Protection Agency EPA-recommended disinfectant lists of recommended products. Then look for those products on EWG.org/CLEANERS to find effective disinfectants with fewer toxic ingredients.
Best laundry practices when someone at home is sick
Although research suggests that it is rare to become infected from clothing items, as an additional precaution, you may implement these laundry practices that can help reduce the risk of the virus spreading.
If you are taking care of someone showing symptoms or have been given a positive diagnosis:
- when handling their dirty laundry, wear disposable gloves and a mask and then discard after each use. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.
- Do not shake the soiled laundry to avoid the possibility of spreading the virus through the air.
- Check the garment washing instructions, and if possible, set the water temperature of your washer on hot or sanitize and then dry them completely after washed.
- Remember to clean and disinfect the basket used to transport dirty clothes.
Best hand hygiene practices to prevent coronavirus
Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This practice should be carried out regularly and particularly after being in contact with someone showing symptoms, after using the restroom, before eating or preparing food, after contact with animals, and before providing assistance to another person such as an elderly parent or child.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. When coughing or sneezing, use a tissue or your sleeve and wash your hands straight away, if possible.
If soap and water aren’t available and your hands aren’t visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is okay to use.
Should you allow a cleaning service into your home?
I’ll be honest, at the beginning of the COVID19 outbreak like many people I too was in denial, and I was going on about my life as if everything was normal. I requested clients cancel their cleaning appointment if anyone in their home that was displaying flu-like symptoms or has recently traveled to Level 3 COVID-19 areas.
I saw the added benefits for clients to have our cleaning service to clean and disinfect their home.
I provided our team at House Bliss Cleaning with the disposable gloves and masks to keep them safe when cleaning homes. I also went to a commercial janitorial vendor to purchase an EPA-approved disinfectant spray to disinfect regularly touched surfaces. We also request that our employees stay at home if anyone from their households is displaying flu-like symptoms and consulting with their healthcare provider before returning to work.
I also invested in a cutting edge electrostatic disinfectant machine to disinfect surfaces spraying a fine germ-killing mist PUR: ONE tablet a disinfectant safer than bleach and on the EPA list of approved products effective against COVID-19 in 1 minute.
EvaClean system is a 360º, touchless disinfection, and sanitizing system is used in schools, hospitals, and also used by Delta airlines to disinfect airplanes against Coronavirus.
Nevertheless…
Soon after Boston’s bars and restaurants were ordered to shut down, the announcement from Governor Charlie Baker for a stay-at-home advisory and order the closure of all non–essential businesses, we had to cancel cleanings as of noontime on Tuesday, March 24. The order was valid until Tuesday, April 7, but today it remains until May 4.
We have been blessed to receive support from many clients. We can’t wait to get back in your homes to clean it! We will all come back from this stronger and better than ever if we don’t give up hope and remember we can accomplish anything with a positive mindset and a strong work ethic.
Please be aware of scammers taking advantage of people’s fears and concerns around keeping a clean, disinfected home offering deep cleaning services for a very high price. Please don’t fall victim to this fear-mongering. Cleaning businesses are deemed non-essential, and the fact these people are offering cleaning a higher price is absolutely unprofessional.
At House Bliss Cleaning, we encourage our clients and readers to reach out to us with any questions or concerns regarding this virus and our cleaning services at hello@houseblisscleaning.com or through our website.
Please keep safe, healthy, and positive through this uncertain, turbulent time.
Note: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 please consult your doctor. This blog is for general informational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice.
