This year, not only are families facing the usual threats of colds and the flu, but also the impending arrival of the coronavirus. While coronavirus infection is not as likely as the common cold or flu, getting sick is no joke. At home, not only does the infected family member feel awful while recovering, but the rest of the family is in danger of the germs spreading, thus infecting the entire household. When someone in your home is ill, you are hoping for a fast recovery without additional members getting sick, but how can you keep your home clean and healthy while one or more members are ill?
The Signature Maids understand your concerns and have prepared this checklist of where to focus your cleaning efforts to prevent the spread of illness while someone is sick at home. And, if you need help, remember the professionals at Signature Maids are only a phone call away!
Disinfect, Clean, Sanitize – Know the Difference!
Cleaning your surfaces and avoiding physical contact with those who are ill can help limit the spread of colds and flu, but since most germs, viruses and bacteria, are airborne, it can’t prevent illness. Thorough hand washing and refraining from touching your eyes and face are still the best protection against the spread of colds and flu. If washing frequently is not accessible, hand sanitizer can help, killing a wide variety of bacteria and viruses.
Sanitizers, disinfectants, and antibacterials are different. Each destroys different levels of germs. Sanitizers kill 99.9 percent of bacteria. Disinfectants kill 99.999 percent of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Both types of products require up to 10 minutes to do their job well and neither kills every type of contaminant. You’ll need to check the packaging if you are looking for destruction of a specific pathogen. Antibacterials contain antimicrobials but don’t necessarily kill more germs that non-antibacterials.
Gather Your Disinfectant, Tools, and Supplies
Starting in the bathroom, focus on knobs and pulls of cabinets and drawers, as well as doorknobs and light switches. Next, clean the sink, toilet, and shower, along with hairdryer, straightener, curling iron, shavers, etc. Give trash bins a good cleaning. Replace toothbrushes and keep clean towels on hand.
Head to the kitchen and disinfect drawer pulls, cabinet knobs, doorknobs, handles on appliances large and small, sink fixtures, and light switches. Clean the trash bin, as well as countertops, tabletops, and chairs. Replace sponges and launder towels and reusable rags.
In the living spaces, once more focus on disinfecting light switches and doorknobs, as well as stair banisters. Next, disinfect TV and other remotes, video game controllers, mice, trackpads, chargers, keyboards, phones and other mobile devices (take care to follow your disinfectant’s label directions regarding touch screens – as most are too harsh). You’ll want to wash washable toys and disinfect others. Clean tabletops, and other surfaces where bacteria, viruses, and other germs like to land and live.
In the bedroom of the family member who is ill, see to it that you launder all bedding, along with stuffed animals and such, in hot water. Once more, like in the other rooms, you’ll want to disinfect doorknobs, light switches, nightstand and dresser tops along with knobs and pulls, TV remotes, video game controllers, phones and mobile devices, as well as any toys which can’t be washed.
And last but not least, disinfect the doorknobs on doors coming into your home as well as key fobs and any car surfaces which might have been touched – door handles, seat belts, audio controls, the steering wheel, etc.