Melbourne’s recent second spike has shown that COVID-19 is still around. Now is not the time to relax with the cleaning and disinfecting of your home.
In recent weeks, we have received many bookings from homeowners requesting for a deep clean of their properties. Given this, we have decided that this week we should focus on all the items you must clean and disinfect in your home to keep your family safe from the virus.
Ideally, your cleaning and the disinfecting regime should be a regular activity. Some items have to be cleaned daily while others may require only a once-a-week deep clean. The important thing to know is how to do it and what to use.
How long does COVID-19 virus live on surfaces?
The table below shows the length of time COVID-19 can live on surfaces.
| Different kinds of surfaces | The lifespan of COVID-19 virus |
| Wood e.g. furniture, decking, window and door frames | 4 days |
| Metal e.g. doorknobs, jewellery, silverware | 5 days |
| Stainless steel e.g. fridge doors, microwaves, electric jug, sinks, pots and pans and drink bottles | 2 – 3 days |
| Plastics e.g. containers, detergent bottles, drink bottles, backpack and elevator buttons | 2 – 3 days |
| Glass e.g. glasses, doors, windows, mirrors and tableware | Up to 5 days |
| Ceramics e.g. pot plants and home decorative items | 5 days |
| Cardboard e.g. shipping boxes, and takeaway cartons | 24 hours |
| Copper e.g. cookware and home decorative items | 4 hours |
| Aluminium e.g. drink cans, tin foil and water bottles | 2 – 8 hours |
| Paper e.g. newspaper, letters and circulars | A few hours to 5 days depending on the strain of the virus |
Here are 10 items you must clean and disinfect in your home if you want to keep your family safe from influenza or COVID-19 viruses.
1. Countertops and tables
Countertops, tables and chairs are high touchpoints areas and will need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
- Wipe the surfaces with warm water and dishwashing liquid first.
- Then spray with a store-bought multipurpose spray (Buy one that reads: ‘Kills 99.9% germs).
- Leave to dry naturally.
- Always read the instructions of the spray before you apply to any surfaces.
Natural cleaning and disinfecting:
- A tiny amount of white vinegar mixed in warm water can also be used to disinfect most natural surfaces. “Vinegar is also great for cleaning windows and other types of glass surfaces,” comments Bristol (UK) property auctioneer Ruban Selvanayagam.
2. Door handles, door frames and doorknobs
Clean door handles, door frames and doorknobs several times a day.
Use the same method of cleaning and disinfecting as countertops.
3. Kitchen appliances
With kids and parents at home, the fridge, microwave, electric jug and coffee machine will be used multiple times in a day.
How to clean stainless steel appliances:
- Wipe clean with a simple solution of warm water and fragrant-free dishwashing liquid.
- Dry with a microfibre cloth.
- To remove fingerprints, spray a small amount of glass cleaner into a clean microfibre cloth and polish lightly.
Here are Tips on How To Clean Small Kitchen Appliances
4. Bathroom
The bathroom needs to be cleaned and disinfected regularly to keep your family safe.
To simplify your bathroom cleaning task, use a multipurpose spray that can kill 99.9% germs. When cleaning the bathroom, don’t forget any of the high touchpoint areas like switches, taps, door frames, doorknobs, shower door handle, shower tap, toilet seat, toilet flush and towel racks.
To remove harmful green and black mould in the bathroom:
- Make a paste of baking soda and white vinegar.
- Apply to the affected area and let it soak 10 to 30 minutes.
- Rinse as normal.
5. Bedroom
All furniture including mirrors must be cleaned and wiped regularly to minimise the risk of infection. Bedlinen must be washed regularly as they are harbingers of harmful bacteria and germ.
For short term rentals and Airbnbs, cleaning the bedroom is a top priority for guests. Bachcare in New Zealand show us how to clean your Airbnb, and keep your guests happy.
6. Computers, keyboards, printers and game consoles
Regularly cleaning and disinfecting computers, printers, mousepads, keyboards and game consoles can prevent cross-contamination in the home.
To clean electronic devices, use rubbing alcohol. Hard to reach places can be cleaned with a cotton bud dipped in rubbing alcohol. Use a clean microfibre cloth dipped in a little rubbing alcohol for larger surfaces.
7. Mobile devices
Studies have shown that 80% of infection at home is caused by mobile devices. Regular disinfecting of mobile phones, iPad and other mobile devices can minimise the risk of an infection in the home.
Mobile devices can be easily disinfected using rubbing alcohol.
- Use a cotton bud dipped in alcohol to clean ‘sticky keys’.
- Wipe mobile device screens regularly with a tissue and rubbing alcohol to prevent cross-contamination.
8. Toys
If you have a toddler at home, make sure all their toys are washed regularly. Place plastic toys inside the top rack of your dishwasher and run a normal wash cycle. Washable soft toys can be washed in a gentle wash cycle in the washing machine.
Non-washable toys can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is a safe compound to use so you don’t have to worry about it affecting your baby’s or toddler’s health.
9. Grocery
Experts are advising households to wipe down their grocery shopping before they put them away.
- The easiest way to do this is to fill your sink with warm water and add a few drops of anti-bacterial wash into the water.
- Use a slightly damp microfibre cloth to wipe down cardboard milk cartons, tinned food, wine bottles, cereal boxes and so forth.
NOTE: You wash vegetables and fruits as normal. There is no need to disinfect perishables because so far there has been no conclusive study that shows that the virus can live on food.
10. Carpet and couch
Winter is the best time to get the carpet professionally steam-cleaned. After more than 3 months in lockdown, the carpet and couch will need some TLC. Steam cleaning is the most effective way to remove stubborn grime, food stains and harmful allergens like bacteria, mould and viruses.
Looking for the best carpet cleaner who can come out to your home immediately? Contact the experts at Calibre Cleaning here.
Stay safe during the lockdown
Regular cleaning and disinfecting will keep your home virus-free and your family safe this winter.
If a member of your family is sick, here are some things you can do to keep the rest of the family safe:
- Isolate the sick patient in his or her room. This could mean temporarily changing the sleeping arrangements of siblings if they are sharing a room
- Put a box of tissue and a wastepaper bin next to their bed
- Minimise social interaction with other members of the family who are not sick
- Wash their laundry and bed linen in hot water separately
- Open the windows or use an air purifier to maintain the air quality of the room
- Consult a doctor if you are worried
- Encourage them to wear a mask if they are mixing with other family members
- Use gloves if you are cleaning the sick room
As we continue to social distance, it is important that we keep up with the personal hygiene habits that the Health Department advises. It is equally important we eat a nutritious diet, exercise regularly and find the time to ask our kids how they are coping with the lockdown.
Looking to have professionals help you out with your disinfection and cleaning needs? Consider hiring Calibre Cleaning to help you out! Our services are available in various cities in Australia, including Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. End of lease cleaning services are also available in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.
Looking for more cleaning tips? Here’s How to Clean a Washing Machine – An Easy Step by Step Guide. Meanwhile, if you’re ready to come out of isolation, here are some tips you will want to keep in mind.