How to Keep Covid-19 Away from Your Home 

Quarantine, self-isolate, wash hands, wear a mask, and social distance… These are crucial measures that have been contributing to the effort of flattening the curve of Covid-19. Yet, going out to work or to get groceries and having necessities delivered to home that could potentially expose us to the virus are inevitable. Today, we will be covering a topic on how to effectively and correctly clean and disinfect your home guided by CDC, so that you and your family minimize the risk and exposure. 

Whenever you are cleaning your home with cleaning products or whenever you bring in products outside of your home, always wear disposable gloves to clean and disinfect. 

Clean:

Clean surfaces using soap and water. It is important to clean frequently touched surfaces and it is best if incorporated in your daily routine. Some of the frequently touched surfaces include:

• Tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, and etc

Disinfect:

• CDC recommends that you clean the area or item with soap and water or a detergent if it is dirty. Then, use a household disinfectant.
• Recommended EPA - registered household disinfectant can be found here. Follow the instructions on the label to ensure safety and effectiveness. 
• Many products recommend that while using the product, you wear gloves and make sure you have good ventilation during use of the product. Keeping surfaces wet for a period of time before wiping increases effectiveness.
• Additionally, diluted household bleach solutions may also be used if appropriate for the surface. Make sure that the label indicates that your bleach is intended for disinfection and that it is not past its expiration date, as unexpired household bleach is effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
• Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.
• To make a bleach solution: Mix 5 tablespoons of bleach (1/3rd cup) per gallon of water OR 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
• Alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol may also be used

How to Clean:

Soft Surfaces

For carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes

• Clean the surface using soap and water or with appropriate cleansers for these surfaces
• If possible, launder items by using the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely 
• OR disinfect with an EPA-registered household disinfectant that meet EPA’s criteria for use against Covid-19

Electronics

For tablets, touch screens, keyboards, and remote controls 

• Consider putting wipeable cover on electronics 
• Follow manufacturer’s instruction for cleaning and disinfecting. If no guidance is available, use alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol and dry surface thoroughly

Laundry

For clothing, towels, linens and other items

• Launder items according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the warmest water setting and dry items completely 
• If a person is sick and you are handling dirty laundry from a sick person, wear disposable gloves
• Dirty laundry from a person who is sick can be washed with other people’s items; however, do not shake dirty laundry 
• When done, remove gloves and wash hands right away

Clean hands 

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds 
• Always wash your hands immediately after removing gloves and/or after contact with a person who is sick 
• If you are unable to wash your hands and/or they are not visibly dirty, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
• Make sure to wash your hands:
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After using the restroom
• Before eating or preparing food
• After contact with animals or pets 
• Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance such as a child
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

When Someone In Your Household Is Sick:

If possible, keep a separate bedroom and bathroom for a person who is sick. 

• A sick person should stay separated from other people in the home as much as possible 
• If you do have a separate bedroom and bathroom, only clean the area around the person who is sick when necessary
• If a bathroom is shared, the person who is sick must clean and disinfect after each use. If unable to, the caregiver should wait as long as possible to minimize the risk before cleaning and disinfecting 

The person who is sick should eat or be fed in their room. 

• Always handle any used dishes, cups/glasses, or silverware with gloves and wash them with soap and hot water or in a dishwasher. 
• Make sure to clean hands after taking off gloves or handling above used items. 

If possible, dedicate a trash can for the person who is sick. When removing garbage bags and handling trash, always wear gloves and wash hands after taking them off.