Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home Part 2

Welcome to the second part of the cleaning and disinfecting your home series. We hope that this series will help you learn how to clean and disinfect your home during the current coronavirus pandemic. Today, we are going to pick up right where we left off in part one.

As you disinfect your home, you want to make sure that you take special precautions, especially if you or someone in your home is ill. For instance, if you or someone else has asthma, the disinfectants can exacerbate the symptoms and cause flareups to occur.

While disinfectants are ideal to use, they have been quite sparse as people continue to buy them. If you do not have any disinfectant chemicals on hand, you can use bleach and it is an effective tool against COVID-19. It is important that you use diluted bleach as it can be used on all surfaces and is effective.

Tips for you to keep in mind:

• Follow ALL manufacturer instructions and warnings to prevent injury
• NEVER mix bleach with ammonia or any other chemicals – it can be deadly!
• Use bleach in a well-ventilated area
• Make sure the bleach you use is within date and NOT expired
• Use a bleach solution that contains 5.25 to 8.25 percent hypochlorite

How to Make a Bleach Solution for at Home

Option A:
Mix together 1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of room temperature water

Option B:
Mix together 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of room temperature water

Bleach solutions are effective for 24 hours once they have been mixed. If you do not have bleach available for you to use, an alcohol solution with a minimum of 70 percent alcohol will work and be effective.

Picture: Freepik

Cleaning and Disinfecting Soft Surfaces
Soft surfaces need to be cleaned and disinfected just as you would any other type of surface. The biggest problem with soft surfaces such as carpets is that bacteria, dirt, and germs can become entrapped in the fibers. Below, we will talk about some of the ways you can clean and disinfect your soft surfaces.

If you have a soft surface such as drapes, rugs, or carpets, it is vital that you clean them to limit the potential exposure to coronavirus.
To start, you want to clean the surface with, at minimum, soap, and water. You can also use any type of cleaner that is approved for the specific surface you are cleaning. For example, you may have a specialized cleaner for your drapes.

Once the items are clean, you should wash them according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the tag. Always use the hottest allowable setting on the washer and dryer. Make sure that the items are fully dry before you remove them from the dryer.

If you do not want to launder the items, you can choose any of the disinfectants off List N and use them. When you are done, simply vacuum the area.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Electronics
You probably have not given it much thought but your electronics such as your phone, tablet, keyboard, mouse, etc. carry bacteria and can be dirty. It is important that you clean and disinfect them regularly.

Tips to clean and disinfect an electronic device:

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and disinfecting
• Use a wipeable cover on your device as it offers protection against bacteria
• If you cannot find the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning, use an alcohol solution with a minimum of 70 percent alcohol and spray the device then wipe it

If it important for you to keep all surfaces clean in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Check out Part III in our series next!