How Should I Disinfect My Home?

While keeping a clean home can often be a challenge, it has become much more so in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic when people want to go beyond clean and ensure their homes are disinfected.  Disinfecting goes beyond the normal cleaning regime.  

The four basics of disinfecting are: (1) wear disposable gloves; (2) clean visible dirt and grime off of surfaces prior to disinfecting; (3) follow manufacturer instructions for cleaning or laundering; and (4) wash your hands while cleaning, if applicable.  

While it may seem difficult, you want to make sure you are always cleaning before disinfecting.  This can mean completing all of your cleaning and then going back to disinfect surfaces or cleaning and disinfecting as you go along.  You can choose a household cleaner and disinfectant.  The EPA’s list N contains products that are antiviral and are believed to kill Covid-19.  One of the cheapest and most readily available of those cleaners is household bleach, which can be diluted by mixing a half cup of bleach with a gallon of water.  Of course, the risk of bleach is that it can discolor some items.  Bleach can also not be used with most other cleaners, as the combination can create chlorine gases.  Disinfectant sprays and cleaners, such as Lysol and Microban, are also effective cleaners.  Disinfectant wipes are also effective at cleaning hard, nonporous surfaces. 

It is also important to clean soft surfaces.  If you can launder a soft surface, you want to clean and dry it on high heat, if manufacturer’s instructions permit.  If not, you may be able to use household disinfectants that can be safely used on soft surfaces.  Generally, these disinfectants are only guaranteed to work on hard surfaces.  

One of the most important things to do is to consider what parts of your home are high-touch or high-risk.  In most homes, light switches, doorknobs, and faucets are the most frequently touched items in the home.  Consider keeping disinfecting wipes by them, so you can wipe them regularly.  Also designate a place for things that you are bringing into your home, so that you are not spreading germs around your home. 

If all of these steps seem a little daunting, consider outsourcing your home disinfection.  At Monita Janitorial, we not only provide excellent cleaning services, but also thorough disinfecting services.  We can do a one-time disinfection or schedule regular disinfection services for your home.