Lockdown Day5: Disinfect and make your home safe from Coronavirus
Current evidence suggests that the novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings. Follow these steps and make your home a safer place today. 
- Ensure that reusable cloths are disinfected or washed at 60C after every use.
- Try to use disposable cloths or paper towels as much as possible.
Mops and buckets
- It’s advisable to use separate buckets for detergent and rinsing.
- Mops and buckets need to be cleaned with disinfectants and dried after use.
- Curtains can be cleaned by laundering or disinfected by steam cleaning.
Bathrooms/Toilet
- Use a toilet cleaner and brush at regular intervals.
- If you stay in an area where hard water is an issue, ensure that you remove limescale using a descaling product.
- Regularly disinfect the toilet seat, handle and rim.
- Clean baths and sinks frequently, if they’re used regularly.
- Use disinfectant if they’ve been used by someone who’s ill.
- Clean shower curtains regularly.
Kitchen
- Food-preparation surfaces should be cleaned before and after use.
- Use separate chopping boards for uncooked food – such as raw meat – and food that doesn’t need cooking, like salad leaves.
- Wash and dry your hands after handling as raw meat.
Pets
- Keep pet food away from human food.
- Wash your hands after touching animals and their food, toys, cages and litter trays.
- Bowls used for pet food should be stored separately.
Laundry
- Wash your hands after handling dirty laundry
- all underwear, towels and household linen should be washed at 60C or at 40C with a bleach-based laundry product to prevent germs from spreading.
- Don’t leave laundry in the washing machine because germs can multiply rapidly.
Waste disposal
- Foot-operated bins are more hygienic because they reduce the risk of getting germs onto your hands.
- Always wash your hands after handling waste material.
- Throw rubbish away carefully to avoid attracting vermin and insects.
Courtesy: NHS
