Cleaning & Disinfecting Tips To Keep Your Home Sparkly And Fresh




Over the past few months, it seems everyone is paying more attention to the way they clean not only their hands but their homes because of the novel coronavirus. Though this virus can be spread from person-to-person through airborne respiratory droplets, according to the CDC, another way it can be transmitted is through touching surfaces or objects that are contaminated by the virus. By touching contaminated surfaces or objects and then touching your mouth, eyes or nose, you could be exposing yourself to respiratory illness.

The virus can live for hours to days on surfaces. The exact COVID-19 surface lifespan depends on the type of material the surface is made from. Below is a guide to how long the virus can survive on different types of material and what you can do in your home to lessen you and your family’s chance of catching or spreading the coronavirus.

Stainless Steel & Plastic

The virus does best on stainless steel and plastics, lasting for two to three days on these surfaces, according to the National Institutes of Health. Examples of these surfaces include milk containers, detergent bottles, children’s toys, Tupperware, plastic seats on the bus or subway, plastic utensils, elevator buttons, refrigerators, pots and pans, sinks and some water bottles.

Cardboard

Business Insider reports a study published on March 17 in the New England Journal of Medicine that the virus can live 24 hours on cardboard, but not to worry. Research has shown that it is highly unlikely you will contract the virus from your Amazon package or any other boxes you may receive in the mail. Rachel Graham, an epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina told Business Insider, "Viruses are likely to only live a few hours to a few days under the sort of conditions we expose packages to, including shifts in temperature and humidity.”

Copper

That same study found that the coronavirus can only live up to four hours on copper, making it one of its shortest lifespan. Surfaces and objects with copper include pennies, teakettles, cookware, wires, plumbing material and piping, railings and doorknobs to name a few examples. This is the shortest lifespan.

Glass

Coronavirus can stay on glass surfaces for up to five days in a 71-degree-Fahrenheit room at 65 percent relative humidity, according to Business Insider. Drinking glasses, measuring cups, mirrors and windows are all examples of glass surfaces that can be found in the household.

How To Protect Your Home

It’s not all doom and gloom. Though the virus can stick to surfaces commonly found in homes, you can still protect yourself and your family from the virus by cleaning and disinfecting. First, free those surfaces like countertops, tables, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, phones, keyboards, remote controls and toilets of dirt by cleaning with soap and water. After you have scrubbed it down, disinfect by using your trusted cleaning spray or wipe.

Be sure to always wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water and keep surfaces clean.

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