Right now, it is the duty of each and every South African to look after our health during this time when the world is facing the unprecedented spread of the novel coronavirus. This is not merely for our own wellbeing, but that of our entire community and nation. Given the current situation, many of us will be spending a lot more time at home and will obviously want to sanitise our house to ensure that our living space is safe and clean.
Here are some guidelines on how to sanitise your house during the coronavirus pandemic:
Start with a Clean
You must first clean before you begin disinfecting. Cleaning refers to removing any and all contaminants, dust and debris from a surface.
Then Disinfect
Once the surfaces are all clean, you can sanitise your house. Disinfect surfaces using appropriate household cleaning materials. Bleach-based cleaners work well, or you can mix some unexpired bleach with water to use as a cleaning material.
Clean High-Touch Surfaces Daily
The idea of cleaning your entire house daily might seem like a daunting task, but not only is it important, but you also have to clean and disinfect high-touch areas daily. This includes items such as:
Door handles
Light switches and plug switches
Table and desk surfaces
Hard surfaces on chairs
Kitchen and bathroom counters
Taps
Toilets – both the seat and the handle
Items such as TV remotes, game controls, mobile phones and computers
Use Gloves When Cleaning
Use gloves when you clean your house and wash your hands every time after you have finished cleaning. Safely discard the gloves when you are done.
Wash Your Hands
You should also wash your hands when you have touched pets, other people, or anything from the outside world. Use a good-quality soap and wash your hands for at least twenty seconds. Keep hand sanitisers by the door and in each room.
Do Laundry with Warm Water
When you sanitise your house, you need to make sure everything is treated with the same thorough approach. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the USA, the coronavirus does not last on fabric that long. However, you can still pick it up when out and about. Do clean your laundry, make sure you wash it in the warmest appropriate water for the fabric and the washing machine, and wait until the clothes are completely dry before using it again.
Stay Home and Stay Safe
The less contact you have with the rest of the world during this time, the smaller the risk is of contaminating your house.