As the COVID-19 virus continues to spread, so does panic and misinformation. The apocalypse is not imminent, but caution and concern are very appropriate right now, especially for households with vulnerable people. There are a lot of simple measures you can take to protect yourself and your family from the virus.General cleaning and disinfecting guidelines call for contaminated or likely-contaminated surfaces to be sanitized daily. Depending on your vulnerability to the virus and your living environment, you may need to sanitize your surroundings more often. The main exception to the once-a-day rule is your hands, which you should wash and sanitize much more frequently.
What kills the coronavirus?
Not all cleaning materials are created equal, and destroying a virus can be tricky. There is still a lot we don’t know about the novel coronavirus, but based on closely related viruses and the information we do have, the CDC has put out recommendations on what cleaning supplies will protect you and which will just lead you to a false sense of security.Alcohol- and bleach-based products are on this list. If your local supermarket is as barren as some stores out there, don’t panic. You can mix up your own disinfectants at home, just make sure you are carefully following the directions. The CDC offers info on how to properly mix a coronavirus-killing bleach solution here.
Disinfecting your hands
Wash your hands often, including at critical times like before you eat and after coming into contact with shared surfaces or infected persons. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are understood to be effective against the coronavirus as they can disrupt its outer membrane, rendering the virus unable to function.
Do not attempt to sanitize your hands if they are not clean. Wash your hands first, and do so properly. Many people do not wash their hands completely, and this means viruses and bacteria remain on the skin. Follow these general guidelines:
- Wash your hands for at least 20-30 seconds
- Completely lather your hands in soap
- Pay close attention to your nails and the palms of your hands
- Thread your fingers to clean in between them
- Shut the faucet off using a disposable towel, rather than touching it
Disinfecting your clothes
Wash your clothes normally, but do so on the hottest allowed setting based on the fabric. According to the CDC, it is all right to wash clothes from infected and non-infect people together. Remember to wash sheets and pillowcases, as well.
Try not to jostle or shake laundry and other potentially contaminated fabrics, as this will disperse the virus through the air.
What about other porous materials like carpets, drapes and furniture? Most wipes and sanitizers are only meant for non-porous materials. If you want to clean your upholstery, for example, look for a CDC-approved cleaning solution that indicates it is safe to use on fabrics.
Disinfecting your devices
Your phone is home to more germs than your door knobs or even your toilet seat! You should disinfect your phone on a regular basis even when we are not experiencing a pandemic. Right now, with the novel coronavirus seeming to lurk at every turn, sanitizing your phone once a day is a pretty good idea.
A simple bottle of rubbing alcohol is all you need here. Gently wipe the surface of your phone with a damp cotton swab to get the alcohol onto your phone. Do not dip, pour over, or otherwise submerge your cell phone for obvious reasons. Remove your phone’s case and clean it separately. A Q-tip soaked in alcohol can be used for the trickier places on your phone.
This cleaning routine can be applied to a lot of other devices, as well, including remote controls, MP3 players and other shared or commonly-used items.
Gloves and masks
The CDC recommends that only those people with symptoms wear facemasks, along with health care professionals. If you are cleaning and disinfecting your home, you do not need to wear a mask. However, you should wear disposable gloves. If you choose to wear reusable cleaning gloves, make sure they are properly sanitized after each use.
What if someone in my household is ill?
If you are living with someone who has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, then they should be quarantined if possible. Dedicate a bathroom and bedroom to the infected individual and try to limit contact with them. This means limiting the time spent disinfecting, as well. For example, leave the person’s laundry in the room with them and then wash it all at once, rather than running a load every day. The CDC also recommends that infected persons wear facemasks and do not leave home unless to seek necessary medical care. (You can see the CDC’s full report on home care guidance here.)
