Since the start of COVID-19, people have been in a panic to ensure that they aren’t the next victim. From constantly washing their hands to wearing gloves and masks in public, there are many precautions that can be taken. One of the biggest is ensuring that the place you are living in is free of the virus. Sweep wants this virus to disappear, so we want to give a couple tips on how you can ensure that you are killing the virus by disinfecting on top of normal cleaning.

If you are out in public, chances are you are being exposed to some sort of virus whether you catch it or not. This is why washing hands is super important. The problem is that you can bring this stuff home with you as the virus can cling to your clothes, car, and phone. Here’s a list of the top things you can do to clean and disinfect your home.

#1 High traffic areas

What parts in your home are used the most? For most, it is surfaces like the kitchen table, counter tops, and door knobs. Use disinfectant wipes or spray on these areas a couple of times a day if someone in the home is sick or you feel that you have been exposed to sickness recently. Also, think about the items that you use most and ensure they are disinfected. Most common items are cell phone, wallet, keys, debit card, and tv remote.

#2 Couch and carpet

Some areas in the home cannot be wiped down. Fortunately there are spray on disinfectants out there that attack germs without needing to wipe. These sprays can be applied to furniture, carpet, rugs, and mattresses. It is common to miss these areas when cleaning your home, yet they are typically the areas where we spend most of our time.

#3 Nooks and Crannies

The not so obvious areas of the home can be hiding germs and allergens from you. These spots can usually be found in plain sight. Corners of the home that are hidden behind furniture, shelving units full of trinkets, light fixtures, base boards, behind the toilet, and under the bed are a few nooks and crannies that should be cleaned for a successful home disinfection. It is human nature think that if the room looks clean, it probably is clean. That is why these hidden areas are often missed and can come back to haunt you if they are not addressed.

#4 Disinfecting Products

It is a lot of work to clean and disinfect your home, so make sure you are not wasting your time and use products that actually work for the task at hand. There are countless cleaning products out there, but there are a few things to note when choosing them.

Make sure that it is safe for kids, pets, and the environment. It is a common myth to think that if a cleaner is safe that it doesn’t do its job. Stay away from the bleach/ammonium as much as possible as the fumes can be harmful to you, and they cause environmental issues when flushed down the drain.

Diluted over the counter products like hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, and vinegar can go miles for disinfecting..and they are dirt cheap (get it!?). There are also several baking soda based cleaning powders that are good to use in areas like the bath tub.

Not all cleaners are created equal, so do a little research to make sure it fits your needs. Some are more effective at killing different bacteria than others. Pay attention when a new strand of the flu comes out to find effective ways to kill it. The CDC (www.cdc.gov) typically will share different percentages of an ingredient that are effective against a certain virus. For the coronavirus, they recommend a solution with at least 70% alcohol which fits the profile of most common cleaning solutions.

#5 How to Clean

First, wipe the surface down with a clean rag using soap/detergent mixed with water. After that, spray the surface with a disinfectant spray. Let it sit for around 30 seconds (or as directed) before wiping it off.

Don’t let the panic of coronavirus (or any virus) get you down. Humans are resilient and will prevail as we always do. Disinfect your home to get rid of intruding germs you may have brought back with you. Protect yourself by taking the precautions laid out and the next big illness wont disrupt your life.