Wash, disinfect, sanitize and separate. And then do it all over again.
You may have already made some changes to how you clean your home. Now that the coronavirus is here and thriving, our habits often need redirecting. Making the changes is relatively easy, if you keep disinfection in mind and have the right supplies to do it.
Here is how you can stay abreast of cleanliness, during your day.
Wash your hands, every time
We know, you have been told this hundreds of times, now. We are here to tell you it again. Wash your hands thoroughly for a minimum of 20 seconds, (sing “Happy Birthday” twice), making sure your wash under rings and finger nails, as well as on the backs of your hands and in between your fingers. The Wall Street Journal has a superb visual guide you can follow.
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Make sure you wash after blowing your nose, eating, before eating, before preparing food, after using the toilet, when your hands are visibly dirty, after handling pets and any other time you deem worthy throughout your day.
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you need to
Studies have proven that handwashing is the best way to go when fighting germs, but sometimes you do not have soap and a sink handy. Grab your portable hand sanitizer for these moments and use it. Dr. Elaine Larson, professor emerita of nursing research at the Columbia School of Nursing, reminds us on The Wall Street Journal’s website that it is paramount that you use enough sanitizer to cover your whole hand. About one teaspoon will do it.
Wipe down common surfaces twice daily
Public Health Ontario says you should wipe common surfaces in your home down twice daily, to protect against coronavirus infection. Their website states that you should only use disinfectants that have a Drug Identification Number (DIN). This is an 8-digit number given by Health Canada, approving the product’s use in Canada.
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When using a bleach solution, check that the bleach has not expired as it will not work properly if it has.
Wipe down doorknobs, elevator buttons, light switches, toilet handles, countertops, touch screens, handrails, keypads and keys. You may also do the backs of kitchen chairs-anywhere people put their hands frequently in your home. Do this in the morning and at midday, if you can.
Disinfect at work as well
Workplaces vary widely. If you are not working from home and sharing surfaces, talk with your employer about the precautions they are taking in the face of COVID-19.
Plan to separate the sick
If someone in your household should fall sick, even if you cannot confirm it is the coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US recommends you separate those who are sick from the healthy members of the household. Plan ahead and choose a room in your home that can be used for this. If you can, choose a separate bathroom for sick members to use, as well. Create a plan for cleaning these separate rooms, if someone should fall sick.
Coach your kids on cleaning their hands
It has been shown that kids may be major carriers of the novel coronavirus. Consider limiting play dates. Instruct your children on proper handwashing and reward them for doing so. Coach them to wash their hands often throughout the day.
