One of the most worrying details about COVID-19 lately is probably the lifespan of the virus on surfaces. Another creepy thought? The fact that about 42% of us don't even clean these surfaces properly .
All of this is particularly worrying when you consider that crowded places like grocery stores and gas stations are full of germs and you can now take everything home with you - on clothes, bags, phone, and more. again
We wanted to know how long the virus can survive on different household surfaces and how to prevent it from spreading around your household. That is why we seek advice from several experienced experts. Here's everything you need to know to keep your home virus-free at the height of the epidemic.
How long does the virus survive and where does it grow?
The new corona virus can survive on surfaces from a few hours to a few days.
According to the latest information, it can take 24 hours in cardboard, 48 to 72 hours in plastic, and 48 to 72 hours in stainless steel, Dr. Reuben Elovitz , internist and CEO of Private Health Dallas , who cited a recent journal study . of New England medicine .
The duration also depends on some other factors, such as B. the temperature and whether a surface tends to retain moisture.
"For example, wooden handles are more wet than metal under normal conditions, and many infectious agents can thrive in wet conditions," says Dr. Tracey Evans, molecular biologist. "In addition, a warm room is cheaper for many pathogens than a cold room."
Regardless of the temperatures and surfaces that you have at home, you can take measures to keep these dangerous pathogens away.
Burrow on the door
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Unwanted germs get into your home just like you do: through the front door. By taking some precautions in your driveway, you can prevent them from spreading further.
"Disinfect things as soon as you arrive," says Dr. Tania Elliott , immunologist and telemedicine expert. "Especially if you went out or brought food or packages."
Take off dirty shoes on the door , clean the bags and provide a trash can for any exposed paper or plastic packaging near your entrance.
Take off your dirty clothes immediately
Leaving dirty containers isn't the only thing you should throw out the door. Finally, don't forget the seeds you could use .
"We recommend that you put your clothes directly in the basket as soon as you enter the house because the corona virus lives on fabrics and porous surfaces," explains Vanesa Levine , Marketing Manager at HCH Management . "To avoid self-contamination, do not shake dirty clothes before washing and wash them in warm water."
Start a clean routine in the hallway
You should also get used to disinfecting your hands (and your phone) every time you get home.
"I set up a ward near my front door with a small table and a lazy susan that contains disinfectants and homemade lotion, alcohol wipes for phones, and a small trash can," says Katy Winter of Katy's organized home . "When my children enter the house, they know the protocol before they start touching everything."
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Captures particles before they spread
Another way to avoid germs? Use floor mats in high-traffic areas and vacuum them frequently.
"Many people think that bare floors are cleaner than carpets, but dust, allergens and dirt particles settle on hard surfaces and are more easily stirred in the air during the next activity in the room." says Jotham Hatch , vice president of training and business development at Chem-Dry . "The mats placed on these surfaces act as filters and trap particles until it's time to vacuum."
Concentrate on cleaning surfaces with high contact
Before you go into town to clean all of the surfaces in your home, take the time to evaluate those who need it most. Experts say you want to focus on areas with high contact, because their cleanliness prevents germs from spreading to other areas of the house.
The touch-sensitive surfaces include everything you touch the most, such as door handles, light switches, cabinet handles and handles, railings, taps, remote controls, and even covers. Table.
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Use effective cleaning agents
Be sure to use the right products to properly clean these areas.
"If you kill germs or surface viruses, your goal is to look for products that contain a disinfectant," said Brian Sansoni , spokesman for the American Cleaning Institute .
Some of the most common active ingredients are sodium hypochlorite, ethanol, pine oil, hydrogen peroxide, citric acid and quaternary ammonium compounds.
Not sure what to use? Check out this list of EPAs .
Disinfect things properly
You need to follow these cleaning guidelines: Clean all hard surfaces like countertops before disinfection to remove excess dirt or grime, says Sansoni. Then disinfect according to the instructions on the product label.
But this next part is important.
"After using a disinfectant spray or wipe on a surface, you have to wait 30 seconds to a few minutes for the product to effectively kill a germ or virus," says Sansoni. "The key is checking the product label because waiting times can vary."
If you clean something that belongs to young children or comes into direct contact with food, rinse it off with water after drying, Sansoni recommends.
One last note: be sure to read the labels before you start cleaning.
"The reality is that some areas are just not designed for real disinfection," said Melissa Homer, cleaning manager, MaidPro . "Noble wooden tables, antiques and furniture with non-washable paint cannot be dipped in a disinfectant. For these items, it is best to keep them as clean as possible. Finally, old soap kills 97% of the germs and only touches them if you are sure that you have recently washed your hands. ""
Set up a cleaning schedule
Once you have the right cleaning products, you want to set up a cleaning program that is suitable for your family.
"Obviously, the frequency of cleaning depends on the work and lifestyle of household members," says Dr. Jagdish Khubchandani , professor of health sciences at Ball State University . "If you have someone who is a medical doctor or still works outdoors, aggressive measures are required."
Khubchandani recommends washing and vacuuming at least two or three times a week and disinfecting cell phones three or four times a day. And then for everything else?
"Clean the surfaces at least every six to eight hours," says Evans. "But keep in mind that this may not be enough if there is more than one person in contact."
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