How To Clean Your Home Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, staying healthy is a top priority for all of us. While most of the country and the world are confined to their homes, it is more important now than ever before to clean up around the house, not just for your own sanity, but in order to protect your home against the Coronavirus. This will not only keep you and your family safe, but it will also benefit everyone in the long run. 

How the Coronavirus Spreads

The disease is most commonly spread person-to-person. So you can take preventative measures to protect yourself from the virus by washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your eyes, mouth, and nose, and putting distance between yourself and other people. These are the most crucial measures to take in order to stop the virus’ spread. You can most easily protect yourself from exposure by staying home. 

However, the World Health Organization says contamination on surfaces is one of the main ways that COVID-19 spreads, so it is also important to clean and disinfect your home as another method of prevention. This is something we all can do to take action against the pandemic. 

How to Sanitize Your Home

Here are a few ways to clean and sanitize your home that will not only keep the virus at bay but also give you more peace of mind — something we all could use a little more of right now. 

1. Clean and Disinfect All Surfaces

This is particularly important for frequently touched surfaces and common spaces. Think tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, remotes, etc. These highly-touched surfaces should be cleaned daily with soap and water and then disinfected. 

Soap and water is an effective method for cleaning all surfaces, but you also need to disinfect. You can use household cleaners such as diluted bleach or disinfectants, sprays, or sanitizing wipes. Keep in mind that alcohol solutions and sanitizers must contain at least 70% alcohol to be effective against the virus. 

You can reference this helpful list to learn which products you should be using. The list outlines household products that meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s criteria for effective use against the Coronavirus. 

2. Deep Clean High-Trafficked Areas 

The kitchen and bathroom are high-trafficked areas of your home and deserve special attention at a time like this. In a recent study, researchers learned that the virus could survive on plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours after exposure. As we know, the kitchen is full of stainless steel and plastic surfaces, from appliances to Tupperware. So, it is important to deep clean this area in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keep you and your family safe. 

There are a few areas you should pay special attention to and clean as often as possible, if not daily:

In The Kitchen

• Countertops
• Appliance handles
• Cabinet and drawer pulls
• Trash cans
• Sink and faucets
• Tables and chairs
• Dish towels. You should wash these frequently after minimal use.
• Dishes and Silverware. These can be effectively sanitized in the dishwasher if you have a dishwasher that reaches 150 degrees Fahrenheit, as recommended by The Public Health and Safety Organization.

In The Bathroom 

• Faucets and handles
• Shower and bathtub
• Toilet
• Trash Cans
• Countertops
• Cabinet and drawer pulls
• Doorknobs
• Towel Rack

For a deep clean, consider using a professional-grade steamer in your kitchen and bathroom. It can be used on a number of surfaces such as tile, walls, and glass and will provide not only heavy sanitation but also remove the build-up of grease or mildew. 

A steamer is both a great versatile tool for deep cleaning anything in your home and is also effective at killing viruses such as COVID-19. The virus cannot survive extremely high temperatures, which steamers far exceed. Plus, steam cleaning is extremely efficient, which is beneficial as you try to cover all the ground in your home as quickly as possible. 

3. Don’t Forget About Furnishings

Don’t overlook cleaning areas you might not expect to carry the virus, such as fabrics and soft surfaces. Items such as lightweight curtains, pillowcases, clothing, towels, and blankets can be cleaned in the laundry. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using the warmest water possible when washing and drying items to fully disinfect them. Put the items on a “hot” drying cycle for the most effective results. 

For heavier furnishings that can’t be laundered or treated with regular cleaning products, turn to a steam cleaner. Steam cleaning is an effective method for disinfecting items such as rugs, couches, and mattresses. It will not only kill germs potentially from COVID-19, but also lift dust, dirt, and mites for a complete and thorough clean.  

Furnishings Cleaning Checklist:

• Blankets, Sheets, and bedding
• Tablecloths and runners
• Curtains
• Carpets and rugs
• Pillows
• Towels. Wash these frequently, after each use.
• Clothes

If you or anyone you know has come into contact with someone affected, you may want to enlist the help of a professional. Protect your home against the Coronavirus by calling on SteamCo’s professional services, including our new disinfectant fogging service, to steam clean the at-risk areas of your environment. These simple steps will help you stop the spread of COVID-19 at home. In addition to keeping you safe and healthy, they will keep your home spick-and-span in the midst of quarantine and hopefully give you a bit more peace of mind. 

For more information on COVID-19 and protecting yourself against the virus, visit the CDC.