How to Disinfect and Clean Your Apartment to Prevent Corona virus Spread

March 19, 2020

With the rising number of confirmed coronavirus cases, the sense of urgency to disinfect and clean our homes has increased exponentially. Even if we want to jump right to it, it would be helpful to ask, “Is there a proper way to clean and disinfect so our homes are Coronavirus free?”

Based on the guidelines published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets that are expelled when someone coughs or sneezes. This is why the recommendation is to cover your coughs and sneezes, wash your hands, clean surfaces and maintain social distancing. This is why apartment dwellers should be extra cautious of areas where people get into close contact for prolonged periods. It is best to avoid these areas in total. So, as we now think about our homes and how to minimize the risk of getting sick, the CDC recommends taking action to disinfect high-touch surfaces like countertops, doorknobs, cellphones, and toilet flush handles because some pathogens can live on surfaces for several hours.

How to Make Your Home Coronavirus Free

Before anything else, think of your safety while cleaning. Since we are dealing with a virus, wear disposable gloves while cleaning and have good ventilation. Gloves should be discarded after cleaning. If you are using reusable gloves, these should be dedicated to cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and should not be used for other purposes. Clean your hands immediately after cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces in your homes like tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, sinks, and electronics.

The next thing to remember is: clean first, disinfect second. Disinfectants don’t work if the surface is dirty. Cleaning refers to the removal of dirt and impurities, including germs, from surfaces. Germs can be found inside or below the organic material and dirt on the surfaces of our homes. By removing germs, it decreases the risk of spreading infection. Use soapy water (detergent + water) in high-risk such areas and surfaces before using disinfectants. Rely on your eyes for this one. If you can already see that the surface is dusty, dirty, grimy, or greasy, well, you know what to do. Once done cleaning, the next thing to do is to disinfect.

Disinfecting means using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This also reduces the spread of any virus. To prepare a bleach solution, mix five tablespoons (⅓ cup) of bleach per gallon of water, or 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water. The CDC states that diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and the most common EPA-registered household disinfectants are effective. And whatever product you use, always be guided by the manufacturer’s instructions as to the application and proper ventilation. Check the product’s expiry date, too, and never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.o discuss your finances thoroughly and settle on how much you two are willing to shell out for these things. This way, no one feels like the other is mooching off of them.

If you are dealing with soft or porous surfaces such as carpeted floors, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated on the labors. When it comes to linens, clothing and other laundry items, minimize the possibility of dispersing virus through the air by not shaking dirty laundry. As much as possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely. Clean and disinfect hampers or other carts when transporting laundry.

Finally, practice hand hygiene as a preventive measure. Everyone at home should clean their hands often using soap and water for 20 seconds after blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing, after using the restroom, before eating or preparing food, after contact with animals or pets, and before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance. Remember that staying Coronavirus-free is the responsibility of not just one but of everyone in your home. Cooperation is needed to overcome this pandemic.