Cleaning, Disinfecting and Sanitizing Your Home
One of the benefits of cleaning your home is a reduced risk of infection from surfaces. However, apart from regular cleaning, you may also need to disinfect and sanitize your home. Here are some cleaning and disinfecting tips you need to know.
Where do Germs Come From?
Microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses are literally everywhere. However, it’s important to understand that not all of them are bad. While some cause diseases, some are actually helpful. Germs are everywhere – in the air, soil, water, and surfaces that you touch. They are also found in the body. You can get infected when you come into contact with germs, and they end up in your body. For instance, you can acquire germs when you touch and remote, and they will end up causing infection if you rub your eyes without washing your hands or when you eat.
How to Avoid Spreading Germs at Home
One of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs in your home is to wash your hands regularly. However, this may not work if your house is loaded with germs. Therefore, you also need to regularly clean and disinfect surfaces and objects in your home.
The Difference Between Disinfecting, Sanitizing, and Cleaning
Did you know that disinfecting is not the same thing as sanitizing? Most people are quite good at cleaning their homes. Cleaning involves removing dirt, dust, crumbs, and germs from surfaces. When most people clean, they use soap and water. While this might not kill germs, it can help remove some of them. This means you will end up with fewer germs on your surfaces and objects.
Disinfecting, on the other hand, is the use of chemicals to kill germs. Disinfectants are usually applied and left on surfaces for some time so they can kill germs. The difference between disinfecting and cleaning is that disinfecting does not remove dirt. Both cleaning and disinfecting can fall under sanitization. Sanitization is lowering the number of germs to a safe level.
Surfaces to Clean and Disinfect in Your Home
To limit the spread of germs in your home, you need to regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched frequently. This includes countertops, doorknobs, and faucets. You also need to clean things like light switches, remotes, and toys.
Disinfection involves the use of chemicals. It’s important to remember safety precautions when cleaning because some of the chemicals can be harmful. When using cleaning products, you must always keep them in the containers they come in. You must also ensure that you follow instructions and read the warning labels on the containers. Apart from that, you must avoid mixing different cleaners and disinfectants. You can only do that if the labels indicate that it’s safe to do so. Mixing certain cleaning products can create lethal fumes. For instance, you must never mix chlorine and ammonia.
When using cleaning products, you must also check the labels to see if you need to wear any protective equipment. Some products require that you protect your hands and eyes. You must also remember to store all your cleaning products away from the reach of children.
It’s crucial to ensure that your home is clean at all times. This is a good way to maintain the health of your loved ones. You must also remember to disinfect your surfaces and objects. While things might look clean after a deep clean, there might still be some bacteria and viruses that you can’t see. If you aren’t sure how to disinfect your home, you can search for home cleaning services that list disinfection as part of their services.
