Why Disinfecting is Important

A single cough can spread up to 100 000 contagious germs in the air at a speed of 160 kilometres per hour, according to the Journal of Royal Society. Germs are everywhere and spread quickly.

As the lockdown levels slowly lift, it’s normal to become lenient when meeting people and to invite friends over to your home. However, the Coronavirus is still apparent, and one should take the necessary precautionary measures when allowing anyone into your home. Disinfecting is more critical now than before, with more people moving around, increasing the chance of transmission.

Here are a few tips around disinfection:

The short answer is no. When you clean a surface, you are removing dirt and dust. But when you disinfect, not only do you clean, but you do so intending to kill viruses and bacteria. When you disinfect, you usually do so with bleach cleaning products or products that contain ammonia or alcohol.

Consistently – stick to a routine and frequently disinfect commonly touched surfaces in the home.
Often – when someone in your household is sick.
Immediately – when a surface or an area is contaminated with blood or body fluids.

If you continuously have people visiting you, you must disinfect commonly touched areas. Also, encourage those visiting you to wash their hands when entering your home with a hygiene soap and water – lathering the hands for 20 seconds. There are areas in your home that are hot-spots for germs and bacteria to live. Clean these items every day:

• Doorknobs
• Kitchen and bathroom counters
• Faucets
• Toilet seat and handle
• Cellphones
  
• Microwave and refrigerator handles
• Remote controls
• Switches
• Staircase handles

When choosing a disinfectant, you must read the label to make sure that the product is designed to disinfect the particular surface. Look for products that contain bleach or other anti-bacterial properties to clean surfaces. These products are generally heavy on the nose and release strong fumes, so when working with them, always wear cleaning gloves or even safety goggles if it requests that.
Remember, washing your hands with soap and water or using a hand sanitizer is still the best way to remove and prevent the spread of germs.