How to clean your house safely after being diagnosed with COVID-19

After someone in your house has been diagnosed with COVID-19, this article will show you how to safely clean and disinfect your home.

The majority of COVID-19 transmission happens through close contact with an infected individual when they cough or sneeze. Infection is also possible, although less often, if someone touches a contaminated thing or surface and subsequently contacts their mouth, nose, or eyes.

The virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, can remain on surfaces for a limited period; however, the virus possesses a flimsy outer membrane that makes it simple to destroy by efficient cleaning and disinfection.

When there has been a suspected or confirmed incidence of COVID-19 inside within the previous 24 hours, the virus is more likely to be reached on surfaces and should therefore be cleaned and disinfected.

When persons infected with COVID-19 are transferred to an isolation unit or are admitted to a hospital

Wait approximately an hour before cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in places frequented by the ill individual, such as the bedroom and bathroom.

• Wear a face mask.

• Ventilate the space by opening windows and doors.

• If a sick individual has been in your home for more than 24 hours, routine cleaning is sufficient; disinfection is not necessary.

• After washing and disinfecting, wash and dry your hands.

Cleaning tips when COVID-19 infected persons are living in your house

If possible, avoid going inside the ill person's bedroom and bathroom. Get them to tidy their own room. If they are unable to do so, and cleaning is required:

• Wear a face mask.

• Ventilate the room by opening the windows.

• If possible, request that the ill individual use a face mask.

• Maintain as much physical distance as possible.

• After exiting the room, wash and dry your hands.

After the ill person has used the common spaces, clean them up.

Cleaning and disinfecting

• Use common supermarket detergent/disinfectant products appropriate for each surface, following the guidelines on the product label, including the product contact time.

• Surfaces should be cleaned with detergent and then disinfected, or a two-in-one solution can be used.

• Clean and disinfect regularly handled objects such as doorknobs, light switches, laptops, and tabletops.

• After usage, clean the cloths and mop heads.

• You may prevent your hands from cleaning chemicals by using home gloves when cleaning/disinfecting. When you're done, wash your reusable housekeeping gloves, then wash and dry your hands. If you're wearing disposable gloves, take them off after usage, toss them in the trash, and then wash and dry your hands.

• Carpets should be vacuumed as usual.

Bedding and laundry

Be careful not to shake your bed linen or garments. Wash goods in the warmest water temperature that the clothing and bed linen can withstand, then dry as usual. After touching used linen, wash and dry your hands.

Surface cleaning process recommended

From top to bottom

Begin cleaning higher-up surfaces and work your way down to the floor. This procedure guarantees that any particles, dust, or debris fall to the floor and are cleaned last.

From clean to dirty

• Start with cleaning less often touched surfaces and objects, which should be cleaner, then work your way up to cleaning dirty items that are more prone to contamination for example is toilets.

• Avoid moving from a dirty to a clean spot. This keeps the cleansed area clean and prevents cross-contamination of products or surfaces.

• After cleaning, wash and dry your hands.