Health First Healthy at Home Series: Cleaning and Disinfecting Our Homes Limit Unwanted Bacteria

Clean surfaces, especially high-touch surfaces, using soap and water, and wear gloves if possible

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – As COVID-19 continues to spread in Brevard County, it is important to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations by regularly disinfecting your home.

Cleaning and disinfecting our homes limit unwanted bacteria from entering into and compromising our immune systems. When we ward off even the common cold, we are allowing our bodies to remain strong and healthy to defend against other diseases and viruses. 

Clean surfaces, especially high-touch surfaces, using soap and water, and wear gloves if possible. Cleaning works to remove dirt and impurities from surfaces, whereas disinfecting uses chemicals to kill any unwanted germs and bacteria.

The high-touch surfaces include tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, phones, keyboards, toilets and faucets.

Next, revisit these areas with a household disinfectant. Disinfect items such as your carpets, drapes and even your electronics. Use disinfectant wipes to wipe down your laptops, tablets and cellular devices, because these items are frequently used.

When doing laundry, use the warmest setting to further kill any bacteria that may be lingering.

If you are handling the laundry of a person who is sick, wear gloves. You can include their clothes with other items to be laundered. 

If you are in a situation where you are living with someone who is sick, take precautions when caring for them. Place them in an area where they have their own bedroom and access to their own bathroom, if possible.

This allows them to be completely separated from other members of the household. When preparing food, leave their meals outside their room for them to retrieve. Wash their dishes using gloves and hot water. 

Last, but not least, wash your hands! This is the most crucial way to keep your home clean and safe. Before and after preparing food, wash your hands.

After contact with pets, wash your hands. And, of course, after the restroom or after sneezing/coughing, be sure to wash your hands! 

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