Now that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has begun to spread rapidly, and several states are under a "Stay at Home” order, many of us are stuck at home around the clock. Many have children, older adults, or at-risk family members with them. We encourage everyone to continue to follow the CDC’s Steps for Preventing Illness. In addition to 6 feet of social distancing and mindful hand washing, here are some additional tips to help control the spread of germs and bacteria in your home.
Forgotten Surfaces
Make sure to disinfect places that you touch often but maybe do not think about much. Wipe down those doorknobs, light switches, keyboards, and computer
mouses. Clean your remotes, video game controllers and console buttons, and TV buttons. Disinfect AC buttons, heater adjustments, and window blind wands. Don't forget cabinet knobs, toothbrush holders, and faucet handles!
If you are at home with small children, remember to bleach places they touch (or even lick or bite) like chair and table legs, underneath coffee tables, and window sills. Of course, wash toys in soapy hot water or wipe down with a trusted cleaning agent. If the toy is dishwasher-safe, the dishwasher can be a great way to sanitize.
If you have kiddos that like to sample your pet's food or water, you should regularly disinfect the pet bowls and mats.
These are places that can often be missed in regular cleaning and contain the most germs since many members of the household use them and they aren't disinfected regularly.
Hand Towels
Whether in the kitchen or bathroom, families share hand towels after they wash hands. To limit the growth and spread of germs, you should wash your hand towels every three days for healthy families, and every day for anyone inflicted with sickness. Follow the correct washing instructions for the item, but wash in hot water to disinfect whenever possible.
Remember to wash bath towels, oven mitts, and drying mats in hot water as well!
An added laundering agent like bleach or laundry sanitizer may also be helpful for your family.
Essential Oils
While the stores seem to be completely out of, or have limited stock of items like sanitizing wipes, and hand sanitizer, you can use simple recipes to make your own. As desired, add an essential oil! Many essential oils have their own disinfectant properties, like lavender, tea tree, cinnamon, peppermint, and eucalyptus.
Hand Sanitizer
Combine 1/2 cup of 70% or higher rubbing alcohol, 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel, and 1-2 drops of your favorite essential oil (lavender is highly recommended, as the plant also has a calming effect through smell). Mix well. Pour into a bottle or dispenser. Label with the date.
You may want to add 1/4 cup (or less) of water to mixtures with higher alcohol content.
Empty hand soap or lotion bottles are great ways to store and dispense the homemade hand sanitizer.
Sanitizing Wipes
Mix well 2 cups of warm, soapy water, 1 cup of at least 70% rubbing alcohol, and 1-2 drops of your favorite essential oils (tea tree oil is great for this)! In an airtight container, add the mixture and a roll of paper towels. Make sure the mixture soaks through each level of the towels, and don't forget to close the container tight so that your wipes stay moist for as long as possible!
Mindfulness about germs and surfaces we touch regularly is imperative to an in control and clean household. If you would like to hire a reputable company to clean your home, rental property, or vacation home, please contact us at NorthStar Cleaning & Property Services. Together we can keep each other healthy and get through this new normal. Stay safe out there!
