How to Keep Good Hygiene and Clean During COVID-19

26 Mar How to Keep Good Hygiene and Clean During COVID-19

We’ve all learned the importance of washing our hands, covering our mouths when we sneeze and social distancing for the last few weeks. However, we can’t forget or neglect to keep our homes and bodies clean. Here’s how to keep good hygiene and ensure a safe living space during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

How to Keep Good Hygiene During Quarantine

We know we need to keep our hands clean and refrain from touching our eyes, nose, and mouth. But what else can we do to keep our homes and family clean during the COVID-19 quarantine? Here’s how to keep good hygiene and disinfect your home properly:

Leave it at the door: Though the world is currently practicing social distancing, we’re still allowed (and encouraged!) to go on hikes, walks, drives, and take trips to the grocery store. We suggest you remove your shoes the second you walk through your front door to keep any dirt and bacteria away from your living space. 

Change your clothes: Again, if you leave the house for any reason, it’s wise to change your clothes before lying down on a couch, chair, or bed. Although the CDC is unsure just how long the virus can survive on clothes and cotton, the organization advises to change your clothes regularly, especially after you’ve left your home. 

Clean the surface: The CDC has reported the virus can live up to 2-3 days on plastic or stainless steel surfaces. Remember to clean each surface you frequently touch, like doorknobs, counters, the kitchen table, and light switches. Handheld devices like your mobile phone and remote controls should also be disinfected.

Clean your sheets: Now is a good time to get into a routine of regularly washing your bedsheets, bath towels, and pillowcases. Again, dirt and bacteria from outside may linger on these surfaces. 

Keep it short: Keeping your nails short leaves little room for trapped dirt and bacteria. Germs stuck under long nails can transfer onto your face when you touch your eyes, nose, and mouth. 

Cleaning Tips

It’s crucial to keep a clean home and living environment for you and your family during this time. The CDC suggests using diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions containing at least 70% alcohol, and common household disinfectants to keep the surfaces of your home clean. 

Disinfectant wipes are great for cleaning your phones and other handheld devices. However, you should not use a disinfectant wipe on multiple surfaces. Doing so may transfer bacteria from one place to another. If you’re going to use a disinfectant wipe let the surface air dry. Leaving the surface wet leaves greater contact time for the disinfectant to attack and kill germs.

Lastly, if you do find yourself sick, it’s vital you change your toothbrush once you’ve recovered. Harmful bacteria may linger on the bristles of your toothbrush, so it’s best to replace it once you begin feeling better.