There are so many surfaces in your home that could be harboring germs.
While the novel coronavirus has you boarded up inside, you still need to go out for essential items, like food at the grocery store, take-out orders from restaurants and supplies from the pharmacy. And now, more than ever, you need to be cautious of surfaces you touch in public, like shopping carts, and be aware of the germs you might bring home. The best way to minimize your exposure to the disease known as COVID-19 is to keep your home disinfected and sanitised.
Washing your hands frequently is one of the best steps you can take, but the virus can still cling to surfaces you carry with you into your sanctuary, like your clothes, shoes, debit card and even your phone. (here’s how to disinfect your phone). Fortunately, the EPA has released a list of products that are considered effective at killing the virus.
If you’re worried you may have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, or you just want to be extra cautious, you can use cleaning products like AUSKLEAN (our blue spray) and Hydrogen Peroxide and Silver Salts (our Sanitising Surface and Hand Spray) to sanitise all the surfaces in and around your home. Make sure you focus on cleaning all the doorknobs, countertops and other high-traffic areas during your deep clean.
Here are five ways to keep your home sanitised from the coronavirus, and other areas and items you should disinfect.
1. Use disinfectant wipes to quickly clean down surfaces
Think about the things you touch multiple times a day — doorknobs, sinks, cabinet handles, refrigerator doors, remote controls — and how many germs are lingering on those surfaces that you may not think about. Since home is where you’re most relaxed, you may not be as militant about washing your hands in your own space as you are in public places.
To keep the germs at bay, use a disinfectant wipe to quickly sanitise those areas or spray with OXYPRO-S and wipe with a wet wipe. Once or twice a day should do the trick to remove germs, but if someone in your house is sick, you may want to spray and wipe down surfaces more frequently. After you wipe the area, let it air dry to give it time to kill any bacteria that could linger.
2. Clean surfaces with a disinfectant spray
For areas like your couch and carpet that can’t be wiped down, you can use a sanitising and disinfectant spray, like OXYPRO-S, to go after unseen germs. I suggest spraying in a sweeping motion to cover the entire surface, then let it completely dry before sitting down or walking on the surface, no need to rub it in or wipe it off.
You can also spray down countertops, mattresses and tables. If you’re out of wipes, you can also aim your disinfecting spray into a paper towel to wipe down sink handles and other smaller surfaces, or just spray and leave it to air dry.
3. Use Kleanaus and OXYPRO-S to clean and sanitise floors
Your shoes step on a lot of gross stuff during the day and if you don’t take them off when you come into the house, you could track in viruses and other germs. To clean the floors in your kitchen and bathroom, we recommend using 1/2 cup of Kleanaus mixed with 4 litres of warm water to mop and clean your floors.
Note: You’ll need to use a different disinfectant like OXYPRO-S for porous floors — for example, if you use bleach on hardwood, it can remove the stain color. Instead, use a disinfecting wet mop cloth on your hardwood floors or combine half a cup of OXYPRO-S or vinegar and 4 litres of warm water.
4. Clean your home with hydrogen peroxide (or OXYPRO-S)
Hydrogen peroxide isn’t only effective for whitening teeth — in fact, the CDC says that 3% hydrogen peroxide was able to inactivate rhinovirus within eight minutes. When you pour the substance directly on surfaces like your sink, countertops or toilets, you’ll need to let it soak for around 2 – 3 minutes. This will give it time to completely do its job. There is no need to wipe or wash it off just let it air dry and it is done.
It’s also safe to clean your toothbrush with hydrogen peroxide (oxygenate) since the bristles can harbor bacteria.
5. What to use to clean your car
While you’re out and about, you’re exposed to many germs and viruses that can follow you back into your car. A good idea is to sanitise these parts on a daily basis: Car door handles and controls, keys or start button, steering wheel, gear shift, seats, all buttons and knobs on your dash, sun visor, anything touchscreen, the console and cup holders.
You can use disinfectant wipes or the OXYPRO-S on most of these surfaces, ixcluding leather and touchscreens. There are also specific wipes made for cleaning your car’s leather. If your car has a touchscreen, you’ll want to use a microfiber cloth to wipe it down (unless your manual says otherwise). For cloth seats, a spray like OXYPRO-S is considered effective when given time to air dry.
Other household items you should consider disinfecting
- Your computer keyboard and mouse, (lightly dust – spray with OXYPRO-S and let air dry)
- TV’s, remotes and TV buttons (same as above)
- All frequently used toys, games and electronics, like tablets, phones and play stations
- Credit and Debit cards are a must (spray and wipe with OXYPRO-S)
