Since the first COVID-19 case was announced in the country, our lives have never been the same. Many lives and livelihoods have been affected. Due to the severe effects of the virus, many households are grappling with ways of keeping their loved ones safe. Unfortunately, several misconceptions about the virus lead to tension and improper ways of dealing with the virus. Well-researched facts are pivotal in efforts to fight the virus.
Before any breakthrough with the vaccine, the virus could be with us for some time. We need to learn how to live with it even as further research is ongoing. One of the most common and simple ways of fighting the virus is sanitization. But what is sanitization? Is it the same as cleaning? We clean our houses every day, but that is different from sanitizing. Cleaning removes dirt and dust while sanitizing kills bacteria and viruses.
With the common phrase of “stay at home if you can,” you are likely to spend more time in your home more than it was the case before. What does this mean? It means we should sanitize our homes to make them a safe haven. In this regard, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends cleaning and sanitizing our homes frequently.
How do we keep our homes safe from COVID-19? Is it a DIY thing? Is it costly? These are pertinent questions that the article will provide some insights.
What you need to know before sanitizing
To clean and sanitize at home, all you need is soap and disinfectant. For dirty surfaces, first, clean using soap and water. Then sanitize the surface using a disinfectant with a minimum alcohol content of 70 percent as per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendations. The disinfectant you opt to use should be suitable for the surface you are cleaning.
For further guidance, follow the guidelines on the label of your disinfectant to avoid mistakes. Other things to keep in mind include:
- Wear gloves to protect your hands
- Wash your dishes in warm water
- Treat electronics with care
- Keep the disinfectant out of children
- Make sure the house is well ventilated when disinfecting
- Use recommended disinfectants
Areas to look out for in our homes
Research shows that COVID-19 can live on surfaces for up to 24 hours. Worse, it can remain on stainless steel and plastics for close to three days. This makes our homes vulnerable, and sanitizing is not a choice. For you to keep your home safe, consider the tips below.
- High-touch surfaces.
You should make sure you clean and disinfect the high-touch surfaces. Homes are not the same but high-touch surfaces like the kitchen table, doorknobs, toilets, light switches, sinks, taps, bathrooms, and walls are common. Also, pay attention to areas like the sitting room where your family congregates often.
Your household electronics are also in the category of high-touch items. Prioritize high-touch electronics like your smartphone, remote, and tablet. However, ensure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on how to clean and sanitize the electronics to avoid damaging or risk of electric shock.
- Clothes / soft surfaces
Even if it’s unclear how long the COVID-19 virus can live on fabrics, common sense prevails here. You should remove your clothes when you get home and set aside for cleaning. Your bed sheets, towels, and pillows should also be changed and cleaned regularly. Make sure you don’t shake dirt when doing laundry to minimize the possibility of spreading the virus through the air.
Wash your hands regularly
It has become a cliché, but yes, wash your hands often. It is the best line of defense against the virus. Wash your hands before handling food, after blowing your nose, visiting the toilet, and so forth. Use soap and running water for about 20-30 seconds. You could also use a hand sanitizer but ensure you rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds.
Keeping our homes safe is the first step in combating COVID-19. It is simple and inexpensive but calls for consistency. Let’s make it a habit to follow the recommended guidelines. Do not get tired. Soon, we shall pass this test.