The Coronavirus pandemic is expounding the global health crisis of the time and people have been facing challenges for a long time now. Cases are rising on top of a daily pace while the world stems from the vaccine and other safety precautions to protect from the virus. As the COVID-19 crisis elevates, people are much concerned about the safety procedures which can be adapted to combat the challenging periods. The virus that causes the blockage of respiratory functions mainly spreads from person to person. When an infected person sneezes or coughs, the air contains the virus too which further can be inhaled by the healthy person through those droplets.
The droplets suspended in the air may float in the air for about half an hour commonly known as aerosols before settling down to the surfaces where it can survive for a longer time. The virus can also spread if touched by the contaminated surfaces or objects and then contacted to the mouth or nasal passages. While the virus is known to disrupt the respiratory functions, it is certainly believed to be active on the surfaces for a long time probably from hours to a few days. The virus lives longer on objects like plastic and settles for up-to 72 hours and to minimize the respective risks against the deadly disease is to wipe down and clean the surfaces and objects along while applying the cleaning and disinfection techniques for COVID-19.
Cleaning & Disinfection;
COVID-19 cleaning and disinfecting techniques are the best way to reduce the spread of the virus throughout the hard surfaces in the home. Cleaning involves a process of removing the dust particles and fumes and is usually accompanied by dusting and using water infused with detergents and soaps. Cleaning at a low-level grade requires a much more manual effort than disinfection. When it comes to comparison, cleaning and disinfection are two varied procedures that should be utilized in combination to remove the germs associated with the spreading of COVID-19 infection.
Always clean before disinfecting:
It is essential to clean the surfaces before disinfecting it as cleansing removes clouds of dust and fumes more efficiently before preparing the surfaces and objects before disinfection as it further prevents from spreading. COVID-19 cleaning physically removes dirt and other impurities from surfaces without killing them. If a surface is not cleaned effectively on a first note then, the germs hidden on the surfaces can reduce the efficacy of the disinfectant. Germs that are not effectively killed will continue replicating in their nature and can spread further to birth new infections.
The efficiency of disinfectants and its process:
While COVID-19 cleaning is becoming the most adoptable process of decontaminating surfaces, people effectively know the significance of this process at home and other communal spaces. Surfaces that are not entirely disinfected with the disinfectant solutions would increase the chance of spreading germs and causing illness throughout, so it is essential to use them efficiently. Disinfectants are supposed to remain wet for a specific recommended time, failure of which might not provide the efficiency as required. Based on the labels and instructions on the chemical disinfectants should be used to bring in the proficiency and productivity as it differs from products to products. Disinfecting surfaces are performed with the products labeled and recognized disinfectants or cleaners. The process is carried by cleaning the surfaces on the visible dust areas by using cleaners available in the market, followed by using chemically infused disinfectant and applying the product using a microfiber cloth. Using the listed kill claims and the processing time, it would sound how effective the decontamination is.
Areas to be considered for cleaning and disinfecting at home:
Kitchen tools, utensils, and surfaces;
Before taking up the procedure of disinfecting, make sure to wear disposable latex durable gloves and other safety materials that would play an impactful aspect in avoiding the spread. Every surface including cabinets, knives, and other appliances available in the kitchen have some sort of handling devices that are often touched each time in use. All of these surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected multiple times daily especially after preparing food. Wiping the tools with the disinfectant solution and keeping the surfaces wet for a specified time for a few minutes while air-drying the solution would be effective. Along with, when hand washing utensils, the usual process with a final solution of unscented bleach for more than two-minutes would allow the dishes air dry and remove the germs in a well effective manner. It is supreme to avoid using sanitizers as it can become inflammable and fatal especially near the flame.
Furniture surfaces:
While at home, we are devoting our work operations online for making official video calls so giving a professional background at work fronts slouching on highly crafted furniture is quite usual. However, gently cleaning and disinfecting wipes or a cloth soaked with disinfectant would control the spread of the germs and maintain a healthy workplace even at home.
Electronic Devices:
We all are caught spending our time often while watching TV and accessing remote control which depicts that the types of equipment are touched and handled by all often which further requires well- defined cleaning and disinfection, especially during COVID-19 times. While applying the damped cloth with disinfectant, it is imperative to notice that the liquid shouldn’t enter inside the remotes as it might destroy its functioning so keeping a check on the amount of liquid is quite useful in this kind.
Grocery Items (Fruits, Vegetables, and Other processed items):
Before bringing the groceries into the home, ensure to wipe off the items with sanitizers, although the same can’t be performed in case of fruits and vegetables as it wouldn’t be safe to consume these while treated chemically with sanitizers so cleaning them with the help of warm water and the salt solution would help rinse off the germs. Once cleaned with the solution prepared, rinse off with common water, let them dry out before placing and storing them normally.
Switch Boards:
It has become more important than ever to ensure that our houses stay germ, virus-free, and most essentially clean. Switches are majorly contacted by the members on a usual base for the obvious reasons at home. These should be cleaned with the wipes without spraying the disinfectant solution directly to the boards as it may damage the circuits, so it is recommended to carefully clean and disinfect the surfaces of the switchboards with cloth only.
Mobile Phones:
We are stuck at home which is making us reliant more on phones for the easy access of the information which can transport the germs easily from our hands to the phones so these should be preferably disinfected with the wipes gently treated with the disinfectant solution on the exterior surfaces of the phones while putting them on switch off mode. It is suggested to avoid any sort of chemical directly into the phone as there are chances of creating moisture.
Conclusion;
Although killing germs has become a vital part of this pandemic, it is also crucial to choose the accurate dimensions in cleaning and disinfecting the tools, surfaces, and objects at our home with the upright disinfectant techniques suitable to act as a catalyst to remove the pathogens caused by COVID-19.
