6: Recommendations for disinfecting at home

- April 06, 2020

Q: What are some common strategies for disinfecting at home?

💁Tracy: Make washing your hands frequently a habit. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (sing the Happy Birthday song two times). You should be washing your hands at least 10 times a day-- especially after using the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. If your hands are noticeably dirty, always wash your hands with soap and water.

If possible, use disposable gloves when disinfecting and cleaning
On a daily basis, use ordinary household cleaners and water to clean surfaces and objects that are easily contaminated--especially if they are often in contact with various household members--such as tables, countertops, light switches, door handles, cabinet handles, faucets, toilet flushes, toilet paper dispensers, toilet seats, shower heads, buttons on electronic devices, phone surfaces, keyboards, computer mouses, etc.

If you touch someone else's items, wash your hands as soon as possible.
If the surface is visibly dirty, it should be cleaned with detergent and water before disinfecting. For disinfecting, use products on the New Virus Pathogen Declaration List (https://www.americanchemistry.com/Novel- Coronavirus-Fighting-Products-List.pdf). When using cleaning and disinfecting products, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

💁Tracy's Tips: Using baby wipes to wipe your hands may seem like they can clean your hands, but they cannot actually disinfect your hands.

Make sure the common areas in your home are well ventilated, and open the windows twice a day for 30 minutes each time.

If anyone in your household has been infected or has been in a close contact with infected, try to set up a quarantined area to store their clothes and personal items, which should not be touched by other people in the household. If you want to clean their belongings and clothing, please follow the instructions in "Things to Watch Out For When Doing Laundry Etc."

Tracy’s Survival Kit

Common disinfectants found at home (please check CDC's website for a more complete list with more explanations and usages):

ü Rubbing alcohol (70% -75% alcohol). If you can only buy higher concentrations, you must dilute to 70% -75% to achieve the best results.

ü Bleach (hydrogen peroxide or chlorine disinfectant). Disinfectants written "bleach" usually kill coronavirus.

ü Prolonged exposures to temperatures above 133℉ for over half an hour.

ü Hand sanitizers with an alcohol content of more than 60%.

ü Disinfecting wipes. For example, alcohol prep pads, something that has "kills viruses" written on it, or other disinfecting wipes with phrases similar to "combating the flu” written on it.

ü Other types of disinfectants. They will have "kills viruses" written on them or other disinfecting liquids/sprays for combating the flu.

ü Toilet bleach tablets.

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