Home Cleaning with Coronavirus in Mind: Guidelines and Tips for Safe Hygiene

Due to the ongoing global pandemic, the importance of keeping homes clean and disinfected has never been more critical. Maintaining a clean living environment can help reduce the risk of infection and transmit the coronavirus. Follow these guidelines to ensure your home remains a safe and healthy space.

General Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfecting

Household cleaning products that contain soap or detergent can significantly reduce the number of germs on surfaces, thereby decreasing the risk of infection. However, routine disinfection is only necessary under certain circumstances, such as when someone in the household is sick, or if someone who tested positive for COVID-19 was in the home within the past 24 hours.

Cleaning High-Touch Surfaces

Clean high-touch surfaces regularly, ideally daily, and especially after guests visit. Focus on surfaces commonly touched by multiple people, such as doorknobs, tables, handles, light switches, and countertops. When cleaning surfaces that are visibly dirty, make sure to clean them appropriately with a suitable cleaner.

Host Unvaccinated Visitors with Caution

Ask visitors who are not fully vaccinated to wear a mask. If someone in your home is sick with a cough, cold, fever, or headache, they should be isolated. Always wash your hands with soap, especially after coming into contact with the outside world. Use hand sanitizer when necessary and supply paper towels, tissues, and other essentials to sick individuals. Consider using gloves while cleaning to protect your hands.

Disinfecting Properly

Disinfect your home when someone is sick or if someone who is positive for COVID-19 was in your home within the last 24 hours. This process kills any remaining germs, reducing the spread of infectious agents. Ensure that disinfectants are kept out of the reach of children.

Alleviating Symptoms with Supplies

Provide sick individuals with dedicated cleaning and disinfecting supplies, including tissues, paper towels, cleaners, and EPA List N (EPA registration of approved disinfectants) disinfectants. In shared spaces, individuals who are sick should clean and disinfect surfaces and items after each use.

Cleaning Different Types of Surfaces

Soft Surfaces: Carpets, Rugs, and Drapes

Clean soft surfaces like carpets, rugs, and drapes using soap and water or cleaners designed for these types of surfaces. If possible, launder items using the warmest water appropriate for the material, ensuring they are completely dry. Disinfect using an EPA List N product for soft surfaces if needed. Continue regular vacuuming, but wear a mask when cleaning areas recently occupied by a sick person or someone positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.

Laundry Essentials

Wash the warmest appropriate water setting and ensure items are completely dry. You can safely wash dirty laundry from a person who is sick with other people’s items. If handling dirty laundry from someone who is sick, wear gloves and a mask. Clean clothes hampers or laundry baskets according to guidance for surfaces. Always wash your hands after handling dirty laundry to maintain hygiene.

Electronics and Devices

Consider adding protective covers to electronics like phones, tablets, touchscreens, keyboards, and remote controls to make cleaning easier. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning each device. If needed, use an EPA List N disinfectant, but note that some products for electronics contain alcohol, which dries quickly.

By following these guidelines and tips, you can help prevent the spread of coronavirus in your home and maintain a clean, healthy living environment for your family and guests.