From chair backs, to cell phones and keys, this list covers it all (just about).
There’s no other way to put it: coronavirus numbers are high. Sky high. This we know from public health data. What is less easy to pinpoint is exactly how the virus is spreading in each location in which it is rampant.
The basics, we’re aware of. It seems like a no brainer to say that colds caused by coronaviruses can spread through the air, and thus, it is likely that COVID-19 is doing so as well. The strange thing is, until recently, we haven’t really been told that. Health experts have been reluctant to actually state that COVID-19 is being transmitted through the very substance we breathe, all the while telling us to be certain to wear a mask so that we don’t infect each other.
But things have changed. On October 5, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a statement revealing they do feel it really IS possible to get COVID-19 through exposure to the virus in the air. (Yes, this has been a long time coming). In fact, officials now say that MOST transmissions of COVID-19 happen through the air.
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The statement also went on to remind us it is still easy to contract the coronavirus by having direct contact (ie, by shaking hands) with someone who is already infected, and by coming in contact with infected droplets that are sitting on commonly-touched surfaces.
Of course, you know this. But sometimes in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we all need a little reminding.
Back at the beginning of the pandemic, the CDC issued some guidelines on its website as to how you should clean and disinfect your home if there is a suspected case of COVID-19 in your household. Some of these are also actions you should take on a regular basis during the pandemic even if you don’t know anyone who is sick, as asymptomatic transmission can occur.
Here are ten surfaces you should currently disinfect your home regularly.
Doorknobs
Doorknobs are one of the most commonly touched surfaces in your home. Unless you live in a bachelor apartment or a one-room cabin, you’re likely to touch these frequently. Automatic doors would be nice but the reality is, most of us only encounter those at the mall. Sigh.
Countertops and Tables
Second in line are the surfaces on which you cook and eat. Clean up! Wiping your countertops and tables down with a wet, soapy sponge does wonders to remove the dirt and grime. Make sure you also go one step further and spray them down with a disinfecting cleaner.
Cell Phones
Studies have shown your phone to be one of the dirtiest things you own. As a prized electronic device, you want to make sure you don’t douse it with too much liquid, or it will cease to function, however. Spraying a disinfecting cleaner on a paper towel and wiping down your phone, front and back, is usually safe to do. When in doubt, get a cover for your phone, or stick it in a disinfecting UV light box.
Other Electronics
You also want to ensure you wipe down your household remote controls, keyboards, tablets and touch screens, especially if these are often shared. Even if everyone has their own devices in your home, it is wise to disinfect these daily during the pandemic. It’s easy to pick up someone else’s tablet by accident.
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Toys
Toys can also transmit the virus. Plush toys can be put in the laundry, and those with hard surfaces should be wiped down with disinfectant. Children can become seriously sick with COVID-19, although this is not common. They can also carry high viral loads, making them transporters of the novel coronavirus.
Light Switches
You turn them on and you turn them off. You also need to disinfect them!
Desks
You might often think of cleaning your keyboard, but getting at the surface of your desk might not immediately cross your mind. Spray your desk down as well to maintain a clean environment.
Faucets
Like light switches, faucets are small things that can play a large role in spreading COVID-19. The faucets on your sink, as well as the handles on our toilets, which aren’t technically ‘faucets’ but we’ll include them here, should be addressed.
Hard Backed Chairs
While writing this, I can picture every member of my household, minus the kids, placing their hands on the backs of our dining room chairs. Spray these with disinfectant and wipe them down daily.
Keys
Last but not least, remember to disinfect your keys. Your keys do not present a large surface, but they often sit on common surfaces and can be shared among household members. It’s best to keep them clean.
According to the CDC, evidence suggests the virus causing COVID-19 can remain alive and well for up to days on certain surfaces. Keeping your commonly touched surfaces clean and disinfected is a form of best practice you can engage in within your household to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Click here for a list of EPA-registered disinfectants
photo credits: Roschetzky Photography/Shutterstock.com
