Cleaning and disinfecting your space is probably nothing new! You’ve been doing it for years to maintain you and your family’s health. However, with the novel coronavirus keeping your home clean and sanitized is more of a priority than ever. Not every product and process though is meant to kill the virus and keep you from getting it. The CDC has plenty of tips and tricks on how to keep your surfaces, clothing, and yourself clean. We’re going to break them down for you!
Surfaces
Before and after cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, be sure to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. If surfaces are dirty, clean them using a detergent or soap prior to disinfection. To disinfect, use diluted household bleach solutions or alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, most common household disinfectants should be effective. You can prepare a bleach solution by mixing 5 tablespoons or 1/3rd cup of bleach per gallon of water or by adding 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water.
For softer areas such as carpeted floors, rugs, or drapes, you should remove the visible contamination if present and clean with the appropriate cleaners indicated for these surfaces. When you’re finished cleaning, launder items as needed and use the warmest appropriate water setting for the items!
Clothing
Again, be sure to wash your hands before and after washing clothes, especially if you’re washing dirty laundry from an ill person. Do not shake dirty laundry prior to washing to remove the possibility of dispersing the virus through the air. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for these items. And don’t worry! According to the CDC, dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items. But, be sure to clean and disinfect clothes hampers and consider placing a bag liner that is either disposable or can be thrown in the wash.
Tips for Washing your Hands
This seems like a normal response when there’s an illness going around. But did you know there is a proper way to wash? The CDC says to be sure to wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds! You can keep track of this by saying the alphabet or singing happy birthday. If soap and water aren’t available or if hands aren’t visibly dirty, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Additional times to wash your hands are:
- After blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After using the restroom
- Before eating or preparing food
- After contact with animals or pets
- Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance (e.g. a child)
During this crazy time, we’re still operating as usual at Cutstone! However, an installation might not be the best idea during all of this social distancing. After you’ve disinfected and taken care of yourself, start thinking up your dream kitchen by looking through our website!