Yes, We Should Be Cleaning Our Homes Regularly
With the COVID-19 vaccine still under development and reported to be ready for public use by early next year, we all need to be more mindful of our personal hygiene and cleaning habits. Well, prevention is really better than cure in this case as the cure is not yet available.
Since we are all stuck at home for another 2 weeks (and aren’t exactly rolling in cash since it’s the end of the month), why not do some cleaning to spend our time productively? Plus, the CDC recommends us to clean and disinfect our home regularly even if nobody is sick. So, here is what you need to know:
- Cleaning is about removing contaminants from a surface.
- Disinfecting is about killing pathogens.
- Do both daily especially if anything or anyone has entered or exited your home.
What Are High-Touch Surfaces?
Something a lot of us have failed to do is disinfecting high-touch surfaces in our household every day. Researchers have found that the novel coronavirus is capable of living on surfaces, such as cardboard for 24 hours and up to two or three days on plastic and stainless steel!
How To Clean And Disinfect Properly?
Here are some tips from the CDC on how to disinfect high-touch surfaces at home!
What Kills Coronavirus?
For disinfection, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has compiled a list of products that are proven effective on similar harder-to-kill viruses. P.S. Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions!
How To Disinfect Your Smartphones
Our smartphones are great at keeping us sane during MCO but they’re a hotbed for germs and viruses. So, don’t forget to disinfect them as many of us bring them everywhere (ahem, you know what I mean)! Disinfecting wipes are the best way to clean your smartphones but different brands and models have special considerations. Here is a guide on how to clean smartphones the right way.
How To Disinfect Your Computer
Laptop displays aren’t always made of glass so do make sure that you avoid using a disinfecting wipe on the screen (just in case)! The display should be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol (70%) solution and a soft microfibre towel. Make sure you wipe down the keyboard, trackpad, exterior, and also the spot where your wrists often rest on the laptop. Same goes for your monitor and peripherals!
Continue Practicing Everyday Coronavirus Prevention Habits
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (especially after going to the bathroom), before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. AND PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING UNTIL THE VACCINE IS READY!
I know that there’s a lot going on right now. It’s stressful, scary, and it can be hard to determine what you should be doing to properly lower your risk of infection. If you have more questions but are worried about reading misinformation instead, head over to CDC’s website for thoroughly researched studies and articles about the novel coronavirus. Stay safe, keep informed, and please, if you can, stay at home!
