Regular cleaning and disinfecting can help prevent the spread of illness including COVID-19. Frequently touched surfaces such as toilets, sink tap handles, doorknobs, light switches, and tables should be cleaned at least daily. Other less frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned regularly when visibly dirty. Make sure to clean surfaces with soap or detergent before disinfecting. The virus that causes COVID-19 can be broken down by soaps and detergents as well as appropriate disinfectants.
Two Easy Steps
Cleaning and disinfecting is a simple, effective, two-step process:
Step 1: Clean away dirt, crumbs etc.
Use soapy water to wipe away dirt, soils and other debris. Plain dish soap or any kind of household cleaning product will remove dirt, oils and other debris from surfaces.
Step 2: Disinfect
If possible, use store-bought disinfectants. Familiar brands such as Clorox, Lysol, Fantastik, Microban and Zep have specific products that will work against the COVID-19 virus. Please check the Health Canada’s list of approved products. If your product is not on the list, it has not been approved for use.
If store-bought disinfectants are not available, you can mix household bleach with room temperature water (do not use hot water) in specific ratios to disinfect areas in your home. Household bleach should be diluted. It comes in different concentrations so check your label first before you mix.
Rinsing and drying recommendations are important parts of the disinfection process. For high-touch or heavily soiled areas such as toilets and sinks, leave 1000 ppm bleach solutions wet for one minute before wiping down the surface with a cloth soaked in clean water. Other bleach solutions of 500 ppm should be left wet for five minutes then air drying is fine.
Tips for using disinfectants and bleach safely
- Open a window and wear gloves when disinfecting.
- Take care to rinse the equipment that you use to make your bleach solution and keep bleach tightly-sealed and stored away from children and pets.
- More concentrated solutions are not better and may cause irritation to the eyes and throat. Use the table above to make the right solution for your needs.
- Do not mix bleach with vinegar or other acids like lemon juice, ammonia-containing products (such as Windex), or rubbing alcohol. This can create toxic gases.
- When using bleach on surfaces, allow the surface to air dry completely before using again.
- Dispose of any leftover bleach mixtures so people won’t mistake them for something else or mix them with other products by mistake. If you pour your extra bleach solutions down the drain, run a lot of water down the drain at the same time.
Food and kitchen
- Never use bleach or other disinfectants on food. Rinse fresh vegetables and fruits with clean potable water.
- Utensils, pots and pans, and other dishwasher-safe food preparation items can be cleaned and sanitized in the dishwasher with a hot rinse cycle or washed with hot soapy water.
Toys
- Clean toys in hot soapy water with a brush for hard-to-reach areas prior to disinfecting; rinse thoroughly.
- To disinfect toys:
Use a store-bought disinfectant that is safe for children; or
Use 5.25% household bleach to make a weaker disinfectant by mixing 1 part of bleach to 499 parts water or 2mL (3/8 teaspoon) bleach to 998mL
Dishwasher-safe, hard plastic toys can be cleaned and disinfected in a dishwasher with a hot rinse cycle
Mobile phones and electronics
- Mobile phones and other frequently touched electronics like tablets, remotes, keyboards, mice and gaming consoles can carry germs. These electronics should be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
- First, remove visible dirt, grease, etc.
- Check the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and disinfecting.
- If no manufacturer guidance is available, use disinfectant wipes or sprays with at least 70% alcohol.
- Dry surfaces thoroughly to avoid pooling of liquids.
- Do not immerse devices in liquids and do not use hydrogen peroxide or vinegar as they do not work and may damage screens.
- Consider using plastic covers or screen protectors to make cleaning and disinfection easier.
Laundry
If you are living with someone who is ill, take these precautions when doing laundry:
- Laundry should be placed in a laundry basket with a plastic liner.
- Don’t shake dirty items
- Wear gloves and a mask when handling.
- Wash with regular laundry soap and hot water (60-90°C)
- Clean your hands with soap and water immediately after removing your gloves.
Waste
If you are sick or living with someone who is sick, be careful when touching waste.
- All waste can go into regular garbage bins.
- Line the wastebasket with a plastic bag. This makes waste easier and safer to dispose.
- When emptying wastebaskets, take care to not touch used tissues with your hands.
- Clean your hands with soap and water after emptying the wastebasket.
Source: BC Centre For Disease Control
