Home should be a safe haven, especially during stressful times. Many people are worried about how the Coronavirus is impacting the safety of loved ones at home. Even if you are careful about following the CDC’s recommendations for handwashing and limiting exposure, it can give you peace of mind to follow these cleaning tips to minimize the spread of disease.

Transmission of Coronavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have shared that COVID-19 is spread through close personal contact: being within 6 feet of someone who is carrying the virus. It is also possible for the illness to spread if you touch a contaminated surface and then your face without washing your hands.

While the risk of surface-to-person transmission is low compared to the risk of breathing air droplets, regular cleaning practices can be beneficial to keep your family healthy. Researchers are finding that the virus might live on surfaces for several days.

Cleaning Tips for Coronavirus

Follow these important cleaning tips in your home:

  • Evaluate Hand Washing Stations: Hand washing should be done with soap and water for 20 seconds, with attention to clean all areas of the hands and fingers. Improve your at-home hand washing stations with a bottle of liquid soap, fresh hand towels, and sanitizing wipes so the faucets and counters can be cleaned often.
  • Hand Sanitizer: If you are on the go and don’t have the option to wash your hands, then hand sanitizer can be used. Use a sanitizer with an alcohol content of at least 60%. Always wash your hands when you have soap and water available again.
  • Disinfecting vs. Cleaning: When cleaning your home, it is important to focus on both disinfecting and cleaning the surfaces. The goal of cleaning is to remove grime and dirt. On the other hand, disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs that might be present on the surfaces. For best results, clean to remove the dirt, then use a disinfecting product to sterilize the surfaces.
  • Product Recommendations: You can find a variety of cleaning tips online, but always research the effectiveness of the products. Product selection recommendations vary depending on the materials – for example, stone and granite countertops can be damaged by bleach. Common disinfecting products include commercial multipurpose cleaning solutions, bleach mixed in water, or rubbing alcohol. It is important to check the product expiration dates and always follow the label instructions on the bottle.
  • Disinfect High Contact Surfaces: Think about the areas in your home that are touched most frequently. It isn’t practical to clean the entire house every day, but you can focus on cleaning tips for these high-touch surfaces to minimize the spread of disease: doorknobs, sinks, toilets, desks, handles, remote controls, video game controllers, and light switches.

Our team at DUFFY Realty cares about our clients. We want you to have a safe, comfortable home that you can share with your family. If you are ready to buy or sell a home in Atlanta, then our agents are here to help. Call today: (678) 318-1700.