Written By Mariam Novak / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Did you know that coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can stay on surfaces for hours or days? That’s right. So, it’s not really surprising how COVID-19 can quickly spread and infect many people. Once the virus finds its way to a household, the chances of the entire family getting sick are incredibly high.

Thankfully, there are simple things we can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect our family from this life-threatening infection. These include cleaning and disinfecting our homes, particularly the high-touch surfaces. Check out these cleaning and hygiene tips to help keep your family safe from COVID-19:

Maintain Personal Hygiene

Handwashing is one of the simplest things we can do to fight COVID-19 and other infections. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), washing our hands with soap and water can lower respiratory infections by 16%.

It can also help prevent a million deaths every year. Both the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that you wash your hands as frequently as possible with soap and water. Wash your hands for 20 seconds to kill dirt, viruses, and germs.

Disinfect Frequently Touched Surfaces

Cleaning and disinfecting your home should be done every day and when someone is sick, according to the CDC. Generally, cleaning alone can eliminate most viruses on surfaces. Use a household cleaner that contains soap and detergent.

You also want to disinfect your home - particularly the high-touched surfaces - especially if someone in your home is sick or has an infection.

Here's how to properly clean surfaces at home:

• Focus on high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, handles, light switches, tables, and countertops.
• Clean them daily, and after you have visitors.
• Clean surfaces using a product suitable for them. Follow the cleaning instructions on the label. Place disinfecting sprays near these areas so you can conveniently clean surfaces whenever needed.

Don’t Touch Your Eyes, Nose, and Mouth

Another step you can take to prevent infections is to keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth unless they are clean. Why? Because they serve as "portals" or entry points of viruses that cause respiratory infections, including those that cause COVID-19.

Respiratory infections can spread through droplets in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. When we touch people who are sick, as well as contaminated surfaces, we also make ourselves susceptible to viruses. Resist touching your face. Only do so after washing and sanitizing your hands.

Wash Bedsheets and Towels Often

Usually, you’d wash your bedsheets once a week. When it comes to towels, health experts recommend washing them after every three uses. But considering that it’s pandemic, you want to wash them as often as possible.

Daily washing is ideal but it’s fine if you do it every after a couple of days. You can reduce the spread of germs, viruses, and germs by practicing proper hygiene before going to bed.

Make sure to air-dry your towel after each use as germs thrive in moist environments. Don’t forget your kitchen towels. Reusable napkins should be regularly washed and air-dried.

Handle Food With Extra Care

It’s unlikely that a person will get infected by COVID-19 through food. However, we should continue to observe the proper handling of food and water.

Cook food based on the recommended cooking temperatures and store leftovers properly. Don’t eat food straight from the fridge. They should be reheated to kill germs. Lastly, make sure your utensils are clean and sanitized.

Sterilize Children’s Toys, Bottles, and Utensils

People of all ages can be infected by coronavirus. If you have little kids at home you want to take extra precautions.

An effective way to protect them from viral infections is to sterilize their utensils and disinfect their toys. Since most children are in the habit of touching their faces or putting everything in their mouths, they are more prone to infections.

Here are some tips to keep your child’s toys COVID-free:

• If a toy is dishwasher safe, you'll spare yourself time and energy. Simply toss it in the top rack to avoid melting and mangling.
• Wipe down board books and wooden blocks and air-dry them.
• Books with hardcovers can be disinfected using wipes. Consider disposing of items that are already tattered and dusty.
• Most stuffed toys, loveys, and cloth books can be cleaned in the washing machine. You can tie the items inside a lingerie bag to protect them from possible damage.

Alternatively, you can soak them in mild soap water, rinse well, and air-dry completely. Make sure these toys don't have electronics or battery packs inside.

• For electronics such as tablets, follow the manufacturer's guide on cleaning or disinfecting them.

Conclusion

As the pandemic continues, the more we have to take home cleaning seriously. Keeping our surroundings clean is the best way to protect our loved ones from the dangers of COVID-19.

However, sometimes house cleaning can be a little chaotic, causing panic and anxiety. By taking measures to prevent the spread of viruses and germs, you can have peace of mind. Start by observing proper hygiene. Encourage everyone at home to wash their hands properly, use sanitizers, and avoid touching their faces.

Cleaning should be done regularly, and high-touched surfaces need to be disinfected. Tackle one area at a time and clean them accordingly. Compartmentalize your cleaning approach and sanitize your home to keep the COVID-19 virus out of your home.

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Written By:

Mariam Novak is a Hygiene Specialist working with SONO Healthcare. She has been interested in health and cleaning issues since she was young and wants to share her knowledge and experience with others who are not indifferent to cleanup. Mariam is deeply convinced that house cleaning is a critical part of hygiene. On a regular basis, she delivers new cleaning expert advice on how to treat products, tools, and different items which sometimes include medical instruments and equipment as well.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com. 

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels