How to Disinfect Your Homes to Stay Free of Coronavirus

As the world goes into lockdown with the coronavirus growing in leaps and bounds, it’s time to take stock of safety measures. No doubt, you have already washed your hands raw with hand sanitisers and soap. But what about your homes?

Keeping your living spaces free of coronavirus germs requires meticulous and systematic cleaning. Mopping floors and cleaning surfaces with disinfectants is important. But paying close attention to the smallest corners of your homes is also crucial. It’s easy to overlook things that are an inherent part of your daily routine and, as a result, are deeply ingrained as a habit. We might wipe tables clean, but what about table mats? Door knobs?

We guide you through some of the micro areas within your living spaces that can easily fall prey to familiarity and hence become easy to miss.

Kitchen – a high traffic area

• Other than obvious places like floors and appliance doors pay close attention to all the surfaces where food is prepped. The kitchen counter, chopping boards, and even implements like rolling pins will do better with a good scrub. 
• Open up all the drawers and closed doors and wipe down all shelves inside along with the handles and knobs.
• Have jute bags or other reusable items? Give them a good soak in disinfectant-mixed water along with the kitchen, tea, and dish towels.
• Don’t miss out smaller appliances like choppers, blenders, graters, and grinders, among others.
• Wastebaskets should be cleaned inside out, as well.

Dining area – a heavily used space

• Dining tables, chairs, cushions, and seat covers would be the most commonly cleaned surfaces. Add tablemats, cloth napkins, and cutlery to your repertoire.
• Other items on the table like water jugs, salt and pepper shakers, or flower vases must not be missed.
• Windows, curtains, and other furnishings are not to be missed.

Electronic devices and fixtures – lost in the blind spot

• Furnishings and furniture are easy enough to discern. Remember to also take care of all the electronic devices in the house, including phones, laptops, tv screens, and remote controls. Even your earbuds, headphones, and wires will do good with a thorough wipe.
• Don’t forget switches and light control knobs on the walls.

Other items to note

• Bath towels, bath mats, soap dishes, and other items in the bathroom, including shower curtains, should undergo disinfection.
• All wearables, other than clothes, like watches, jewellery, and shoes must also be given a good scrub.
• Pet fur can hold coronavirus germs through droplets for a longer time. Aside from frequently towelling your pets make sure they are wiped every time someone other than your immediate family members at home plays with them.
• Don’t forget to clean your cleaning supplies themselves. Mob fibres, washcloths, vacuum cleaner bags and nozzles should all be thoroughly disinfected after every use.

Deep cleaning lists like these can seem daunting, but they are motivated by one essential thought – to cover and disinfect not just commonly touched areas but even the minutest spaces that your hands, skin, or body fluids could have come in contact with. Ensuring that you use cleaning liquids with an alcohol level of at least 70%, bleach, and common soap along with disposable gloves, will give you the maximum protection possible. And, of course, wash your hands in the end!