DISINFECTING YOUR HOME TO COMBAT COVID-19

The covid-19 pandemic is not yet completely over, and caution is still called for both inside and outside the home.

Currently, it is certain that the virus is transmitted by respiratory droplets emitted by an infected person, which can enter the mouth, nose or eyes. Similarly, asymptomatic but infected people can also transmit the virus, not forgetting that contaminated surfaces are also non-negligible carriers. This means that the risks are not only present outdoors, but also in the home. Fortunately, disinfection is an effective way of combating the virus.

Here’s how to disinfect your home to fight covid-19.

What areas in the home need regular cleaning?

Studies have shown that the virus can live for hours or even days on certain surfaces. In fact, it turns out that the virus can live for 2 to 6 days on plastic, 3 to 5 days on stainless steel, 5 days on glass and ceramics, 1 day on cardboard and paper, 12 hours on textiles and 2 to 8 hours on aluminum.

• Many daily objects handled in the home can therefore be potential carriers of the virus. It is important to note, however, that contamination is conditional on these surfaces actually being infected, and that hand hygiene is not rigorously observed.
• Whatever the case, we still recommend disinfecting all surfaces in the home to ensure a safe and healthy indoor environment for the whole family.

Items that need special attention include: door and window handles, light switches, remote control, computer keyboard, toilet flush, taps, handrails, kitchen worktops, chairs, etc.…

How do you disinfect potentially contaminated surfaces?

The first step is to choose a product that is effective in eliminating viruses and bacteria, such as a multi-surface disinfectant containing at least 70% alcohol or bleach. This type of product is often packaged in spray or wipe form, as is the case with IMPEC hydroalcoholic disinfectant.

The advantage of alcohol-based disinfectant is that it doesn’t need to be rinsed off, as it leaves no residue on surfaces, unlike bleach, which can be potentially dangerous due to its fumes. When using this product, always rinse surfaces with clean water, especially if there are small children or pets in the home.

Whatever product you use, we strongly recommend that you refer to the instructions for use, to guarantee its effectiveness in eliminating viruses and bacteria. Be sure to clean the surface thoroughly with soap and water or detergent before using the disinfectant when dust and dirt have accumulated. Disinfectant will not loosen dirt and will be ineffective on a dirty surface. 

When using bleach, care should also be taken to wear protective gloves to protect hands from irritation.

Finally, it’s advisable to leave the disinfectant solution on the surfaces for a few minutes before wiping it off, to eliminate any viruses.

Are homemade solutions effective for disinfecting?

It’s common to read that homemade solutions based on white vinegar, lemon, baking soda, etc. can be used to clean surfaces inside the home. While these are indeed effective for cleaning, they have no disinfectant, virucidal or bactericidal action. White vinegar, for example, is ineffective against SARS-COV2, as the latter is acid-resistant.

UNICEF does not recommend the use of the latter, so always use disinfectants specially formulated to eliminate viruses.

What about cloth disinfection?

Textiles are among the surfaces where the virus can stay alive for several hours, so washing them must also be subject to certain precautions to prevent contamination.

We strongly recommend washing at a temperature of 60° to eliminate viruses, then drying thoroughly before ironing with a hot iron when the laundry is completely dry. If washing in hot water is not possible, drying in the sun and ironing are vital to eliminate germs.