This time of the coronavirus, we are all asked to stay at home as much as possible. But of course, we do go out once in a while to buy necessities like food. 

When we go out, we have the risk of contracting the virus through the things we touch or items we bring home.  These days of COVID-19, it is very important that we all practice regular disinfection of our house.

So how do we protect ourselves against the coronavirus? 

Cleaning versus Disinfecting

There is a big difference between cleaning and disinfecting.  We sometimes tell our children or our household help to ‘clean’ which basically means chores like fixing the area or dusting off.  Cleaning normally involves soap and water, sponges, and clothes. But even with these tools, it just means moving germs from one surface to another, and not killing them.  

Disinfecting, on the other hand, is a step further. The process of disinfection is to inactivate, destroy, or kill the microorganisms on surfaces using chemical agents. 

By using the right disinfectants, the germs and bacteria are not just removed but killed in the process and making the pathogens incapable of reproduction. 

Importance of Disinfecting the House

With the environment we have now, we should not take the risk, especially if we have vulnerable household members like those who are immune-compromised, kids, and senior citizens.  

COVID-19 can be easily transferred especially for those showing no symptoms or what we call asymptomatic. Those people may have the dreaded virus may be spreading the disease without them knowing it. Hence, it is very important that we disinfect our houses. 

Choose the right disinfectant 

It is important to use the right disinfectant. When purchasing a disinfectant, look at the claims on the packaging. Check the labels if it can kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses.  Some products claim that they can kill specific viruses like SARS. 

Check out the manufacturer of the product you are buying. Make sure you purchase from a credible and reliable manufacturer. There may be some fake products or products that can claim to kill those pathogens but cannot really do so.

There is also a need to consider the safety of the product. Check out the product is compatible with the surface or type of object you want to disinfect. Also make sure you check if the product needs any special protection upon usage. 

Another consideration can be ease of use. There are disinfectants that are required to add water. Some are in the form of spray. Some forms are just easy-to-use disposable wipes. Check out the best option that you are most comfortable with. 

Budget can also be a consideration for some. It is always best to choose the best value for your money in getting a disinfectant. 

Starting the Disinfection Process 

In starting off to disinfect the house, it is better to use gloves to protect our hands. Choose whether you want to use disposable ones or rubber gloves. Disposable ones are usually the plastic ones that you can just throw away after every use. The rubber gloves, on the other hand, are more durable and you can still re-use it.  Whichever type of gloves you want to use, bear in mind that it is important to always thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water before and after using any disinfectant. 

When you use a disinfectant or a chemical agent, make sure you properly check the label for instructions on how to use it. If disinfecting is not done correctly, chances are you might not be able to kill off all the germs and viruses.

Disinfecting the Living Room 

The living room is where we sit and go to first, usually upon coming from outside to rest. So the living room should always be disinfected. Make sure you take special notice of where you usually sit, your curtains, and your rug.

Disinfecting the Kitchen 

The kitchen should be disinfected as often as possible due to the nature of its use, which is mostly food preparation. The kitchen is prone to bacteria like salmonella, listeria, E. coli, mold, and yeast.  So make sure you disinfect the sink, cooking equipment, cabinets, containers, and all the surfaces on a more frequent basis. Do not forget to disinfect your utensils, plates, and glassware.  

Disinfecting the Bedrooms

Our beds are oftentimes neglected.  We may often already change our linens. But we sometimes forget to disinfect the actual bed itself and the pillows where a lot of pathogens can be found. So let us make sure we do not forget these in our checklist. 

Other electronic items like television and other gadgets should also be disinfected. Make sure your cabinets are disinfected once in a while. 

Disinfecting the Bathroom

The bathroom is very important and has to be more frequently disinfected. Make sure you disinfect the tiles on the floor and on the walls. The toilet, sinks, shower should also be properly disinfected. 

Other than these surfaces, make sure to regularly change and disinfect your wash towels, rugs, and bathmats. As much as possible, change your hand towels daily if you can. Changing your toothbrush more often should also not be neglected.

Disinfection is very important especially now that we want to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus infection. Proper disinfection, sanitation, and sterilizing should be done to destroy all bacteria, germs, and viruses. If you aren’t confident despite the above, you can check your local professional cleaner such as Boas Cleaning Services. Our house is supposed to be our safe haven, so let’s make sure we keep it that way!