How to Effectively Disinfect Your Home After Recovering from COVID-19
Make sure the virus is out for good and keep your family safe
With the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, we rely on our homes to be our safe haven while the spread is still surging in public. If you or any of your family members suddenly contracts the virus, it may no longer be as safe for those who remain to be afflicted.
While recovery is the main goal for anyone who tests positive, the next priority is ensuring no one else contracts it. Even after the isolation period is over, your test has shown that the worst is over, and the symptoms are no longer present, there is still the fear that the virus may still be lingering in your home.
READ:Â Important Things to Disinfect in the Bedroom When Someone Is Sick
In case you currently have a household case or is already past the COVID isolation stage, we've listed steps you should take to completely disinfect your home.
How to disinfect the home after recovering from COVID-19
1. Tackle high foot traffic areas
If it’s a space that you or your family frequent or stay in most of the day, you should begin disinfecting there first. This would include common areas such as your living room, kitchen, hallways, and bathrooms.
Begin by using a disinfecting aerosol spray to kill any possible particles present in the air. You may also hire a disinfection service, if possible. Then, wipe down surface areas that you mostly come in contact to: door knobs, faucet handles, light switches, and alike.
2. Discard possibly contaminated itemsÂ
Most of these items would be found in your bathrooms, especially if the T&B was used by the COVID-positive member. It would be good to throw away and replace any items that they used such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouth wash, dental floss, toilet paper, and other similar items.
Take out the trash and discard into your outside bin immediately. As for reusable objects like utensils, you can simply wash as you would normally. For added measure, you can soak them in boiling water.
READ:Â How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Disinfect Your Home
3. Deep clean the bedrooms
This is only necessary for bedrooms that the family member who got sick stayed in or have stayed in. Remove all sheets, blankets, and pillow covers from the beds and wash them immediately with warm water and bleach (color-safe bleach for colored fabric).
Sanitize pillows and mattresses by going over them with a steamer. You may vacuum them also, if possible. Clean all home appliances that circulate air within the space such as fans, air purifiers, and air conditioners. Finally, fumigate or disinfect the space with a disinfecting aerosol spray.
4. Don't forget your car
If the infected has been inside your household vehicle before testing positive, it should also be disinfected. Draw down all windows to let the air inside circulate, and with a disinfecting aerosol spray, kill any particles that could have been left behind. Next, sanitize all surfaces that have been touched like the steering wheel, console, and door handles. After the initial disinfection, take it to the car wash for a deeper clean.
5. Use proper cleaning suppliesÂ
Regular cleaners might not do the trick in this situation. With most viruses and infections, it's best to use bleach solutions on surfaces. If you have a harsh bleach on hand, you can dilute it slightly with lukewarm water. While using this on surfaces, ensure you have proper ventilation to avoid eye stinging or difficulty breathing.
After using the bleach solution, you may wipe down any residue with a damp towel. It’s also good practice to use gloves (and even goggles) when disinfecting any space. Finally, discard or thoroughly wash towels and sponges used in wiping and sanitizing your space.
Remember:Â Even after proper disinfection, if any member of your household tested positive for COVID, the best way to keep it from spreading is for everyone within the home to wear proper face masks.
