How to Thoroughly Disinfect Your Home Against the Coronavirus

As the infection rate of coronavirus continues to rise in the United States, it’s increasingly hard to find cleaning products and disinfectant sprays. Many consumers are rushing to their local grocery stores to purchase antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer, but there are other ways to clean your living spaces. Here are some tips for cleaning your countertops, furniture, and other parts of the home to protect you and your family from COVID-19.

Keeping Your Home Safe and Clean

If you are struggling to source cleaning products or want an alternative to big-name brands, there are several ways to clean your living areas. Cleaning trafficked areas frequently used, such as bathroom faucets and kitchen counters, three times a day with a product that kills germs, can help prevent the spread of viruses like COVID-19.  Clorox spray and wipes, traditional soap and water, bleach, isopropyl alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide are all products that destroy harmful germs and bacteria.

The Art of the Scrub

It’s not just about what you scrub with, but also how hard you scrub. Use force when scrubbing with soap and water because it can break through the coronavirus’ protective envelope. If you scrub with pressure when cleaning, it can be just as effective in killing the virus as the chemicals themselves.

TIP: When you finish scrubbing, discard the towel or leave it in a bowl of hot, soapy water. Throwing the towel away will help to kill any virus particles that could have survived.

How To Clean Hard-Surfaces

Disinfecting With Bleach

For countertops, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise a bleach solution containing 1/3 cup bleach per 1 gallon of water to wipe away the virus.  After you’ve cleaned with the bleach mixture, make sure to rinse the surface with water to prevent discoloration.

TIP:  Bleach scratches metal and can corrode it over time. It is not advised to clean stainless steel appliances or faucets with a bleach mixture or spray.

Disinfecting with Isopropyl Alcohol

Solutions with at least 70-percent Isopropyl alcohol are very effective against viruses like COVID-19 on hard surfaces. Once you clean the surface with soap and water, apply the isopropyl alcohol solution with a spray bottle and let it sit on the surface for 30 seconds. Leaving the solution on a surface will give it a good amount of time to disinfect.

TIP: Alcohol is safer for countertops and should not discolor them like bleach.

Disinfecting with Hydrogen Peroxide

Household Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) is effective in cleaning rhinovirus, which causes the common cold. Pour the Hydrogen Peroxide into a spray bottle, spray it onto the surface and let it sit for at least 1 minute. This spray will help to break down the coronavirus.

TIP: Hydrogen Peroxide is okay to use on various metal surfaces but can discolor fabrics if you get it on sofas or your clothes.

 

How-To Clean Wood Surfaces

Furniture

Mix water and some mild liquid dish detergent and spray it directly on wood sealed furniture. Wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth and dry it with another clean cloth. Wiping with a lightly wet cloth will help to disinfect the surface from germs while keeping the wood as fresh as possible. For a more natural approach, a vinegar solution can help to disinfect wood surfaces without compromising the stain or finish.

According to the website Hunker, “Mix one cup of vinegar, one cup of olive oil and four cups of warm water. Use a soft cloth to apply the cleaning solution to the wood. Dry it with another soft, clean cloth. No rinsing is necessary.”

TIP: You can clean wood furniture with a plastic finish (often found on kitchen tables or children’s furniture) with an all-purpose cleaner. If your furniture does not have a plastic finish, make sure you do not soak the wood and always make sure you wipe any excess water/solution off.

Hardwood Floors

Floors are often some of the dirtiest spots in a home. If you have young children, making sure these areas stay sanitized is crucial. According to an article on SFGate, a simple all-natural water/vinegar solution is an easy way to keep your floors clean while also protecting your family.

“Combine 1/2 cup of white vinegar with a gallon of warm water in a bucket and mix well. The acetic acid content of vinegar kills bacteria and disinfects your wood floors. Dip your mop into the vinegar and water solution and squeeze out the excess liquid.” says the site. 

 

How-To Clean Fabrics: Carpets, Rugs, Upholstery, etc.

Fabric-care and sanitization can be a bit tricky. For items like drapes and pillow coverings that are best sanitized in the laundry, make sure to set the machine to the highest water temperature setting. The same goes for the dryer’s settings. Always make sure all of the items have been completely dried before returning to their homes.

For items that can’t be thrown into the wash, such as carpets, rugs, and upholstery, you can spot-clean with products such as Sani-Spritz Spray or Purell Multi-Surface Disinfectant spray.

According to SFGate, “upholstered and fabric-covered furniture pieces are among the easiest items to disinfect. Simply remove all the loose cushions and spritz the piece all over with a fabric-safe disinfectant spray. Spray the cushions separately and allow all the pieces to dry completely.”

TIP: Always make sure you follow the fabric care instructions, as noted on the item’s tag. If you don’t know what the symbols mean, this handy guide from REI can help you determine proper cleaning and care.

How-To Clean Leather

Whether you have a leather couch, or a fancy sports-car with a full leather interior, sanitizing your leather items is crucial. To start, vacuum small crevice areas. Then, take a white cloth dampened with dish soap and water, and wipe down your leather upholstery.  Using this technique will clean away germs while maintaining the color and integrity of the leather.

TIP: Vinegar is a natural, safe alternative to cleaning leather. Always make sure you wipe off any excess liquid/solution from the leather when finished.

DO NOT MIX CHEMICALS

It may be tempting to pour all these chemicals together to make a super-cleaner; however, RESIST THE TEMPTATION. When mixed, strong chemicals can create toxic fumes that can permanently damage your body and, even in severe cases, cause death. Below you’ll find a chart to help you navigate these intense mixtures. Just remember, when in doubt, do you research! Here’s a helpful link that discusses the dangers of chemical mixtures.

Use Vishion To Find Easily Cleaned Decor Items

Want to use these disinfectant tips as inspiration to keep your home safe? Use the Vishion app to explore easily cleaned designs and decor by COLOR. Don’t know your color? Find out HERE.

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• Visit our website http://www.vishion.co and click “color search” or click here 
• Upload an inspirational photo or type in a HEX color
• Search for decor by your chosen color
• Explore all decor options with Vishion
• Find your perfect match and start your project today