Today, with concerns over bringing the Covid-19 coronavirus into the home, people are naturally concerned over the best way to clean their environments. There is a plethora of information on the internet about the cleaning and disinfecting of your home and office. However, do you fully understand the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing? These three terms are not interchangeable, and they each accomplish different things. Not only do you need to know how to protect your self and your loved ones, but also how to protect your surfaces, flooring, and furniture in the process.
The novel coronavirus (Covid19) is scary. It is an unseen invader that can lead to breathing difficulties, lung issues, and many lingering health concerns that are only now beginning to emerge. Fears of how long the germs live on surfaces prompt many people to find safe ways to disinfect everything in and what comes into their homes.
Know the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing:
- Cleaning: The removal of dirt, debris, impurities, and dust through the process of washing, scrubbing, and rinsing. Cleaning reduces the number of germs and lowers the spreading risk, but only disinfecting can kill them.
- Disinfecting: The destruction of viruses, germs, and bacteria on the surface of nonporous items through the use of EPA-registered disinfectant chemicals. Disinfect the surface after cleaning it with soap and water to remove dirt and other particles.
- Sanitizing: Reducing the amount of bacteria on a surface.
With Covid-19, the goal is to utilize disinfectant throughout your home to kill the germs. In the next section, we will look at the CDC guidelines.
*For cleaning and disinfecting during Covid-19, the goal is to disinfect to destroy the germs on surfaces throughout your home.
CDC Recommendations for Cleaning and Disinfecting
Following the CDC recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting your home’s surfaces are critical to helping reduce the risk of contracting the coronavirus. Active ingredients that can kill the bacteria and viruses associated with Covid-19 include:
- Isopropyl alcohol (60 to 90%)
- Ethanol alcohol (60 to 90%)
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
- Quaternary ammonium
You can find a list of products on the EPA website. Check all labels to ensure they are EPA-registered disinfectants before purchase or use.
It is crucial that you follow the manufacturer’s directions for use because the mixing of certain chemicals can be toxic. You can find current CDC cleaning recommendations here.
How long can the coronavirus live on surfaces?
Here is a guideline of what we know today (these are estimates culled from several sources erring on the side of caution):
- Aluminum: 2 to 8 hours
Includes tinfoil, soda cans
- Cardboard: 24 hours
Includes boxes
- Ceramics: 5 days
Includes pottery, dishes, mugs, figurines
- Fabric: up to 2 days
Includes linens, towels, clothing
- Glass: up to 5 days
Includes windows, drinking glasses, mirrors, computer and TV screens
- Metal: 5 days
Includes metal handrails, pots and pans, silverware, jewelry, keys, doorknobs
- Paper: a few minutes to up to 5 days depending on the strain
Includes newspapers, magazines, mail, paper towels, money
- Plastic: 3 to 7 days
Includes: backpacks, bus and subway seats, credit and debit cards, light switches, toys, detergent and other bottles, milk containers, elevator buttons, remote controls
- Stainless Steel: 3 to 7 days
Includes: pots and pans, some stainless water bottles, sinks, refrigerators
- Wood: 4 days
Includes: furniture, doors, decking, railings
*The CDC and EPA provide concise recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces to reduce the risk of contracting Covid-19.
Safe and Protecting Cleaning and Disinfecting of Your Home’s Surfaces
It is one thing to clean a counter with a bleach solution. It is an entirely different thing to use the same disinfectant on your carpets. Many of the chemicals that can be used for cleaning and disinfecting can harm your counters, flooring, and furnishings. In this section, we are going to examine what you can use to protect both yourself and your environment.
For example – what happens after you bring in those groceries and set the bags down on the floor? The type of flooring you have will alter how you can disinfect it. Tile, wood, linoleum, and concrete floors all require different methods to kill germs and protect their beauty.
Floors:
Reducing the risk of germs begins with taking your shoes off outside or leaving them at the door. Walking through your home with shoes on potentially spreads germs throughout the house. Here are the ways to disinfect and protect your flooring:
- Carpet: Steam cleaning is ideal for carpets – you can rent them at many stores. Wash small rugs in the hottest water recommended by the manufacturer and dry as suggested.
- Tile: The cleaning method depends on the type of tile, and you can learn more about the method of cleaning here. Of course, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, as well.
- Ceramic and Porcelain: Although white vinegar and water are often recommended to clean ceramic and porcelain tile, they will not disinfect. Cleaning and disinfecting can erode or discolor grout. Sealing your tile and grout twice a year can help protect it from damage. Some tile manufacturers may recommend a different schedule. Hydrogen peroxide and water are effective at removing grout stains as well as disinfecting. Do not let tile floors air-dry, use a clean, lint-free cloth to dry them after cleaning.
- Cork: Cork tiles have different finishes, so their care will depend on the type and the sealant. A mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water is an excellent disinfection option. Do not use steam cleaners or harsh chemicals or wax.
- Linoleum Tile: Isopropyl alcohol is another good disinfecting option on linoleum if you cannot find an EPA-approved commercial disinfectant.
- Slate, Marble, Granite: Avoid the use of vinegar or lemon. Rubbing alcohol, water, and a few drops of soap are ideal. Apply sealant once a year to protect and shine the floor.
- Wood: A steam mop can help kill germs on hardwood floors with high heat. Lysol has products that can safely disinfect and protect your wood floors.
- Wood Laminate: Do NOT use steam cleaners on laminate flooring. Isopropyl alcohol can be used to disinfect. Please refer to manufacturer’s recommendations.
Countertops:
- Granite: First, make certain that your granite countertop is sealed. If a drop of water soaks into the granite, it is time to reseal it. Do not use harsh chemicals, bleach, ammonia, citrus, or vinegar to disinfect. 70% isopropyl alcohol sprayed on the surface and allowed to sit for three to five minutes will do the trick. Rinse the granite with water and dry it with a clean microfiber cloth.
- Formica: Bleach, rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide are all possible options if no commercial disinfecting cleaners are available. Do not mix these items – choose one only to combine with water and spray on the surface. Allow to sit for three to five minutes before rinsing and wiping clean.
Furnishings:
- Fabric and Upholstery: Heat is the best way to sanitize fabrics. Steam cleaning is safe for many fabrics, but also follow manufacturer’s recommendations. If a person in the home has Covid-19, it will be necessary to disinfect curtains and upholstery, along with linens. Some curtains may be machine-washable at the highest heat recommended by the manufacturer. Isopropyl alcohol is safe to use on most leather – again, check with the manufacturer. It may be necessary to recondition the leather following cleaning and disinfecting. Vinegar and lemon or flaxseed oil are excellent options.
- Upholstered Furniture: First, use a vacuum to clean upholstered furniture. Remember to check labels for cleaning guidelines.
- Non-Washable Fabrics: Lysol Disinfectant Spray is an excellent way to disinfect fabrics and upholstery that you cannot wash.
- Washable Fabrics: Launder or spot treat as recommended by the manufacturer.
Wood Furniture
- Plastic Veneer: Use an antimicrobial wipe or disinfecting spray to clean the furniture. Too much cleaning can damage the paint or finish, so remember to treat the furniture as directed by the manufacturer.
- Oil Finish: Soap and water can clean the surface – rinse well. A conditioning cleanser can be used on dry wood or when a wax buildup is present.
Products such as Microban 24 Hour Multi-Purpose Cleaner and Disinfectant Spray, as well as multiple types of Lysol and Clorox cleaners are good for many surfaces in your home. Always read their labels to see where they can be used. Before using any new product, test it on a small surface of the item, preferably hidden from view to ensure that it does not damage the material.
Cleaner homes can help reduce the risk of developing coronavirus. By following CDC guidelines, manufacturer’s labels and instructions, and spending a little extra money and time on the right products, you can maintain a healthy, safe, and beautiful home.
HK Interiors is here to help in any way we can during these trying times. We can help you transform your home or office into the vision you desire, all while keeping you safe and secure. Call 954-401-8542 today for more information.