In order to keep ourselves at optimal health, we should maintain the cleanliness of our homes. Every time we go out, dust, germs, and other microbes cling onto us and enter our homes as we return. Because of that, it’s mandatory that we regularly clean and disinfect every corner of our home. With that said, we’ve listed below our top cleaning and disinfection tips to help you feel safe and healthy in your own living space.
Vacuum Regularly
You might find vacuuming to be an arduous and dull chore, but trust us when we say that your house is never clean unless you use a vacuum. For one, vacuuming removes any dust mites, bacteria, and mold that might lurk around in your floors and carpets. Aside from that, frequent vacuuming also prolongs the life of your carpets and rugs.
Family Handyman advises that you vacuum high-traffic areas daily and the entirety of your floors at least once a week. Doing so helps keep your house spotless and free from dirt, dust, and dander. Be sure to invest in a good vacuum cleaner as something cheap only removes the dirt from the surface. For an all-around vacuum, you’re going to want something that has enough power to suck up the dirt from down under the fibers of your carpets.
Keep Your Hands Clean
Before you go and clean your house, you have to make sure that your hands are spotless. While it’s a good idea to wear gloves when cleaning and disinfecting, your first line of defense against germs and microbes is by having clean hands. So, be sure to wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds and always use a hand sanitizer.
Moreover, it’s also crucial to wash your hands correctly. One detail that many people often miss, according to Dr. Mariea Snell, an assistant professor at Maryville University’s online MSN program, is washing the spaces between your fingers and under your nails. “The friction created by washing is very important,” Dr. Snell told Mom.com, and so it’s important that you rub between your fingers and under your nails briskly every single time you wash your hands. This ensures that you get all the microbes hiding in the nooks and crannies of your hands.
Know Where to Disinfect
Despite the importance of disinfecting everywhere you can, microbes, germs, and viruses are often concentrated on high-touch surfaces. These are places that people touch the most like doorknobs, drawers, light switches, appliance doors, back of chairs, windows, TV remotes, and furniture handles. Sujata Sirsat, an assistant professor at the University of Houston’s Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, notes that these high-touch surfaces should be frequently wiped down with a disinfectant — especially if a sick person is in the house. Since most of us get sick from touching a virus-infested surface, and then touching our face afterward, disinfecting places that people touch the most is crucial in mitigating the spread of diseases.
Make Your Own Disinfectant
These days, it can get difficult to get a hold of disinfectant wipes and other cleaners as people have stockpiled these due to the current health crisis. Thankfully, you can make a diluted disinfecting solution using bleach and water. Simply mix 5 tablespoons of 5.25-8.25% bleach with a gallon of water to have an effective solution that can kill viruses and bacteria from any surface. Be sure to never mix this bleach solution with other cleaning chemicals as it could release dangerous fumes. For soft surfaces like rugs, floors, and drapes, you can clean these using soap and water. Or better yet, launder these items according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
By keeping your house clean and disinfected, you can help you and your family stay healthy and free from any infectious diseases. For more tips on how to clean your home, be sure to check our post ‘Spring Cleaning Tips and Ideas’.
By keeping your house clean and disinfected, you can help you and your family stay healthy and free from any infectious diseases. For more tips on how to clean your home, be sure to check our post ‘Spring Cleaning Tips and Ideas’.
Blog Written By: Jen Beth