HOW TO CLEAN & disinfect SB|HOME

When I was growing up, keeping the house clean and organized was a must. We had four kids (three brothers) and usually a couple of dogs and several cats so Mom kept things pretty tight. We were also a military family and most often lived in base housing. Growing up on an Air Force Base was always fun for us kids. For one thing, we were safe. With lots of other kids to play with, youth center activities and team sports, we stayed occupied and, for the most part, out of trouble. Life was good as long as we did our chores and kept our grades up. Until Dad got PCS orders. PCS is an acronym for Permanent Change of Station – relocating from one duty station to another. Back in those days (1960’s) this would happen about every two to three years. Not only did it mean leaving your friends and your school, it meant getting your house ready for the dreaded “Military Housing Inspection.” Those were stressful times for my parents to be sure but certainly a walk in the park compared to cleaning and disinfecting your home during a pandemic.

According to the Center for Disease Control the Covid-19 virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Being in close contact with one another, being the recipient of a cough or a sneeze, simply talking with another person increases the risk of inhaling the virus. Even being around people who show no symptoms but who may carry the virus is a danger.

Digging deeper into the CDC website, I found a 15-page spread sheet with every EPA-registered disinfectant that meets the criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Most of the cleaners we use in our homes will be marked as EPA-registered to save you the time of working your way through the CDC website. But, if you’re curious, the address is

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/preventgetting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html Be sure to understand that there is a difference between cleaning your home and disinfecting it. According to the CDC, cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. It does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting refers to using chemicals, for example, EPA-registered disinfectants, to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. There’s no better time than now to roll up your sleeves, put on disposable gloves and get started. Clean surfaces using soap and water. Any surface that is used and touched frequently should get a thorough cleaning every day. High touch surfaces include: Tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.

Once you’ve cleaned everything it’s time to break out the disinfectant products. Follow the instructions on the label to ensure safe and effective use of the product.

MANY PRODUCTS RECOMMEND:

• Keeping surface wet for a period of time (see product label) • Precautions such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product. • Diluted household bleach solutions may also be used if appropriate for the surface. • Check the label to see if your bleach is intended for disinfection, and ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Some bleaches, such as those designed for safe use on colored clothing or for whitening may not be suitable for disinfection. • Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted. • Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. • Leave solution on the surface for at least 1 minute.

TO MAKE A BLEACH SOLUTION, MIX:

• 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water • OR 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

ALCOHOL SOLUTIONS WITH AT LEAST 70% ALCOHOL MAY ALSO BE USED.

For soft surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes:

Clean the surface using soap and water or with cleaners appropriate for use on these surfaces. Launder items (if possible) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely OR disinfect with an EPA-registered household disinfectant.

DON’T FORGET YOUR ELECTRONICS. TABLETS, TOUCH SCREENS, KEYBOARDS AND YOUR REMOTE CONTROL ARE ALL FAVORITE SPOTS FOR GERMS.

• Consider putting a wipeable cover on electronics • Follow manufacturer’s instruction for cleaning and disinfecting • If no guidance, use alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol. Dry surface thoroughly.

TIPS FOR TACKLING THE LAUNDRY INCLUDE:

• Laundering items according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely. • Wear disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry from a person who is sick. • Dirty laundry from a person who is sick can be washed with other people’s items. • Do not shake dirty laundry. • Clean and disinfect clothes hampers according to guidance above for surfaces. • Remove gloves, and wash hands right away. As you are cleaning and disinfecting, be sure to wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds and always wash immediately after removing gloves and after contact with a person who is sick.

If soap and water are not readily available and hands are not visibly dirty, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. However, if hands are visibly dirty, always wash hands with soap and water. Additional key times to clean hands include: • After blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing • After using the restroom • Before eating or preparing food • After contact with animals or pets • Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance (e.g. a child) • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

WHEN SOMEONE IS SICK Keep separate bedroom and bathroom for a person who is sick (if possible)

The person who is sick should stay separated from other people in the home (as much as possible).

Only clean the area around the person who is sick when needed, such as when the area is soiled. This will help limit your contact with the person who is sick.

Caregivers can provide personal cleaning supplies to the person who is sick (if appropriate). Supplies include tissues, paper towels, and cleaners. If they feel up to it, the person who is sick can clean their own space.

The person who is sick should eat (or be fed) in their room if possible.

Handle any used dishes, cups/glasses, or silverware with gloves. Wash them with soap and hot water or in a dishwasher.

Clean hands after taking off gloves or handling used items.

If possible, dedicate a lined trash can for the person who is sick. Use gloves when removing garbage bags, and han- dling and disposing of trash. Wash hands afterwards.

Now, you’ve probably noticed the frequent recommenda- tion to WASH YOUR HANDS. If you’ve ever watched a medical drama where a surgeon is preparing to enter the OR, they will stand over that sink with a scrub brush un- til you think they’re going to start bleeding. They scrub all the way up to the elbow. You don’t have to go to these lengths, but you do need to wash your hands and wash them often throughout your day – especially if you are caring for someone who is sick. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another. Fol- low these steps to ensure you are going about it properly.

WET your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap. Turning off the faucet after wetting hands saves water, and there are few data to prove whether significant numbers of germs are transferred between hands and the faucet.

LATHER your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Lathering and scrubbing hands creates friction, which helps lift dirt, grease, and microbes from skin.

SCRUB your hands for at least 20 seconds. Don’t have a timer? Sing the birthday song twice through.

RINSE your hands well under clean, running water.

DRY your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However, Sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs. If your hands are visibly dirty or greasy, a hand sanitizer may not be as effective. If you’ve been using pesticides or working with heavy metals, you’ll want to clean your hands with a product that is stronger than sanitizer. A note of caution: Swallowing alcohol-based hand san- itizers can cause alcohol poisoning if more than a couple of mouthfuls are swallowed. Keep it out of reach of young children and supervise their use.

HOW TO USE HAND SANITIZER

Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount). Rub your hands together. Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.

Covid-19 is an airborne virus that is spread mainly through close contact from person to person in respiratory droplets. People who may not have symptoms may be able to spread the virus without knowing it. We’ve all been observing a self-imposed quarantine, leaving the house only for essential errands. Well, some of us have anyway. If you’ve been in close confines with other people in your family and obviously breathing the same air, now would be a good time to investigate air duct cleaning. Think of your heating and cooling system as the lungs of your house, taking in air and then exhaling that air out. Normal occupation generates a large amount of contaminants and air pollutants. Our pets create dander. We tramp dirt and dust in from the outside on our shoes. We use spray-on deodorant or hairspray that contain chemicals. These contaminants are pulled into the HVAC system and re-circulated 5 to 7 times per day, on average. Over time, this re-circulation causes a build-up of contaminants in the duct work. Don’t panic! Dirty ducts may not produce unhealthy air in your home but they can contribute to larger health issues for people with pre-existing respiratory health conditions, autoimmune disorders or allergies. Having your air ducts cleaned is a simple process

and best performed by a professional. And just like that, our country went from a great economy, a decent healthcare system and plenty of people alive and well and working to where we are now: a country beginning to slowly open back up. Cleaning and disinfecting our surroundings, washing our hands and observing social distancing is going to me more crucial than ever. Until we have a vaccine, which may take up to 2 years to develop, we need to be on our guard against this nasty virus and all the other virus’ just waiting to rear their ugly heads.