Keep COVID-19 Out Of Your Home With These Cleaning Tips

As more countries go into lockdown to try to contain the spread of the virus, keeping your home clean is essential for limiting the risk of infection. Plus, a clean home is particularly important if someone in your family has symptoms.

Cleaning surfaces in the home

Research surrounding how long COVID-19 can live on surfaces for is still ongoing, but scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health, and other organisations suggest that it can live for two to three days on surfaces like plastic and stainless steel. If you’re coming into contact with anyone, likes people bringing deliveries to you, or you’re going out for essential shopping, regular cleaning of surfaces in your home is recommended. If someone in your home is sick, proper cleaning should be carried out as much as every 2-4 hours. The CDC’s tips for cleaning surfaces include using a disinfectant, bleach solution, or alcohol-based solution with at least 70% alcohol. Always thoroughly wash your hands after cleaning as a further preventative measure.

Cleaning your home when someone has been ill

If someone in your home is suspected to have COVID-19 and is now in hospital, cleaning will help to reduce the risk of infection. Where possible, wear disposable gloves and an apron and, if there are bodily fluids visible, use eye protection and wear a mask. Clean with a disposable cloth using warm soapy water and then disinfect all areas with your usual cleaning products. Pay particular attention to areas that are frequently touched, such as light switches, door handles, stair rails, and in the kitchen where food will be handled. Remove all personal protective equipment (PPE), double-bag it, and throw it in the regular trash. You should then wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.

Do you need to wear PPE to clean your home?

PPE has quickly become in short supply, which means it should only be used when necessary so that medical professionals have greater access to it. This means if no one in your home has symptoms, you live alone, or your household has been self-isolating for at least a week, you don’t need to use PPE when cleaning. Once you do any cleaning, wash your hands afterwards for at least 20 seconds with soap and hot water as this will remove the virus from your hands if you’ve come into contact with it. If someone in your home is ill with COVID-19, PPE can help to stop the spread when cleaning, but washing your hands regularly and not touching your face can be just as effective if these aren’t available.

Good hygiene and a regular cleaning routine can massively help to reduce the spread and risk of infection of COVID-19, particularly if you live with someone who has symptoms. Pay particular attention to cleaning areas that are frequently touched, as well as surfaces, and anywhere food is handled.