How to Clean Common Surfaces During the COVID-19 Outbreak
- A recent study reports that COVID-19 can live on surfaces such as cardboard for up to 24 hours and plastic and stainless steel for up to 3 days. However, a microbiologist says this doesn’t call for panic.
- Bathrooms and kitchens are areas that harbor germs in the home.
- Experts say proper cleaning can clear away a variety of germs.
As experts encourage thorough hand washing and hygiene practices to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus, if you’re able to take shelter at home during the outbreak, you may be wondering what you can do to keep your home clear of the virus.
A recent study found that COVID-19 can remain in the air for up to 3 hours, and live on surfaces such as cardboard for up to 24 hours and plastic and stainless steel for up to 3 days.
Areas to clean in your home
At home, bathrooms and kitchens are always areas that harbor germs. When it comes to bathrooms and kitchens, focus on the cupboard and drawer knobs, pulls, and fronts. In kitchens, also clean the handles and fronts of appliances, such as refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, and toaster oven.
Other areas of the house should get a good cleaning include those often touched such as:
- remote controls
- game controllers
- keyboards and computer mice
- cell phones and landlines
- light switches and switch plates
- door knobs and doors
- staircase railings
Clean areas in groups, and from top to bottom, left to right.
Do all of the light switches and switch plates, then move on to clean all the door knobs, all the kitchen handles, etc. For surfaces that have things on them, such as the kitchen table or desks, remove all items first and wipe surfaces clean with a wipe or a spray.
