The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world as we know it to a standstill. Who would have thought this possible? We have heard from all the regulatory and government bodies that washing and disinfecting your hands can eliminate germs but what about your home? How can you effectively keep it clean? What must you use to safely disinfect your home and keep it germ-free?
Now, more than ever, it’s time to take action and learn how to disinfect your home and what products you should use so that your home remains your safe haven. In this article we take a closer look at how you can disinfect your home against the harsh germs circulated by COVID-19 and many other viruses and bacteria and the most effective way to keep your family safe.
Cleaning and disinfecting may seem the same, but there are differences. Cleaning does not kill germs, it’s physically removing dirt and grime from surfaces. Cleaning helps to reduce the number of germs on surfaces to reduce the risk of spreading bacteria.
Disinfecting uses chemicals called disinfectants to eliminate and kill germs that remain on the surface after cleaning. It’s really important to clean surfaces before disinfecting to make the process much more effective.
Care should be taken to ensure your safety while cleaning. Here are 3 tips to keep yourself safe:
Germs can live on frequently touched surfaces for 10 minutes to 12 hours. This includes door handles, benches, light switches, taps, table tops, toilets, handrails, remotes, fridge doors, microwaves, and any other area of the home that is frequently touched. The key to cleaning and disinfecting these highly frequented areas is to use a high-grade (also known as a hospital-grade) disinfectant after cleaning the surface.
Once applied to the surface it needs to cure (left there to dry) for 10 to 30 minutes at room temperature to ensure that all traces of bacteria are removed. After it’s cured, wipe the surface with a warm cloth. Be sure to rinse the cloth in warm, soapy water before cleaning the next surface, or use a fresh cleaning cloth for each area of the home you are disinfecting.
Regular household disinfectants are not adequate enough to eliminate and kill COVID-19 bacteria during the disinfecting process. Hospital-grade disinfectants need to be certified and contain at least 70% ethanol to effectively wipe out any bacteria. Using a high-grade disinfectant will be the only way to ensure the hygiene and safety of your home.
During the cooler months that are approaching we tend to keep our doors and windows closed, however this action compromises the air quality in our home and increases pollutants. This creates a breeding ground for more bacteria, particularly when someone in our home is unwell.
The most simple and effective way to increase the air quality in your home is to simply open doors and windows. Try to do this daily, even if it’s only 5 to 10 minutes each day. It will create airflow circulation and flush out any harmful pollutants and bacteria that may be present.
It’s particularly important to open doors and windows when disinfecting your home. Surfaces that have been cleaned and left to cure will work much faster and will allow you to get back to enjoying more time with your family.
Bliss Home Care offers new and existing clients cleaning and disinfecting services to protect your home and keep it safe. This is part of our regular cleaning service and there is no additional cost involved. We also offer this as a once-off cleaning or spring cleaning service. We want to ensure your home is free from viral activity and remains your safe haven. Click here to enquire now.
Bliss Home Care is using BioCidal Hospital Grade Disinfectant. We are huge advocates for green cleaning, and this disinfectant is bio-degradable, which means it’s safe for our environment. BioCidal is a concentrated commercial-grade quaternary ammonium compound (TGA approved by the Department of Health for COVID-19) surface disinfectant.
BioCidal effectively cleans all surfaces, including floors, walls, tiles, porcelain, and laminated benches, leaving surfaces sparkling clean. It’s suitable for use in homes, hospitals, restaurants, hotels/motels and general industry.
Act now to ensure that you keep yourself and your family safe in your home, Click here to enquire now. (link to enquiry/covid-19 cleaning page)
Just as important as cleaning your home is taking care of your mental health. You may be surprised to learn that there is a correlation between having a clean home and your mental health. There have been studies that show that decluttering and cleaning reduce cortisol stress levels and extend your physical well-being. Read our article Why Cleaning Your Home is Good for Mental Health and remember this is a stressful time so be kind to yourself.
