Tips to Clean and Disinfect Your Home

Regular cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces in your home is important to prevent the spread of disease-causing germs, including viruses such as the novel coronavirus. High-touch surfaces that need to be regularly cleaned and disinfected include:

Cleaning

• All surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned before disinfection.
• Cleaning physically removes dirt, organic matter and most germs from surfaces.
• To clean surfaces, use soap/detergent and water. Rinse thoroughly before disinfecting.

Disinfection

• Disinfection destroys most disease-causing germs that remain on surfaces.
• Diluted household bleach solution is an effective and inexpensive disinfectant. To make a bleach solution, mix 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach per gallon (3.8 liters) of water.
• Wear rubber gloves and ensure good ventilation when disinfecting.
• Leave the bleach solution on the surface for at least one minute.
• You may also use rubbing alcohol with at least 70% concentration for disinfection.

Other tips

• Consider putting a wipeable cover (e.g. clear plastic sheet) on electronics, such as tablets, touch screens, keyboards, and remote controls.
• Replace your kitchen sponge monthly or every two weeks, depending on frequency of use.

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References:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/disinfecting-your-home.html. Accessed 17 April 2020

https://www.durham.ca/en/health-and-wellness/resources/Documents/PublicHealthInspectionsandInvestigations/CleaningDisinfectingFA.pdf. Accessed 17 April 2020

https://www.wellandgood.com/good-home/how-often-change-kitchen-sponge/slide/3/. Accessed 17 April 2020