Cleaning Tips for COVID-19

Can You Get Sick From Touching Surfaces?

Yes, it is technically possible to contract COVID-19 from touching a germ-covered surface if you immediately touch your mouth, eyes or nose without first washing your hands. However, it’s essential to remember that you’re much more likely to get sick from person-to-person transmission of airborne droplets, especially if you go out in public without practicing social distancing or putting on a facemask.

During a pandemic, it’s more important than ever to keep your home clean. What should you sanitize and how often?

Clean and Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces

COVID-19 will likely not require you to make any extreme modifications to your existing cleaning routine, but you can take some extra precautions to ensure the cleanliness of your environment. 

To prevent the spread of germs, make sure you are diligent about cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces such as:

• Countertops
• Door handles
• Light switches
• Faucets, sinks and toilets
• Your phone
• Your computer keyboard and mouse
• Any remote controls or other controllers you use

Remember, cleaning is about removing contaminants, while the goal of disinfecting is to kill germs. You should be careful about doing both steps daily. 

Disinfecting wipes have been notoriously difficult to find lately. If the shelves of your local stores are empty, you can make a few simple DIY solutions, such as a 1-to-1 ratio of 70% rubbing alcohol and water. For hard surfaces such as toilets and sinks, mix a 1% solution of bleach with water. Combining soap and warm water is always a safe way to disinfect every surface except electronic devices.

At Beach House, our team of 17 housekeepers cleans and sanitizes high-touch areas such as doorknobs every 30 minutes. Through this level of dedication, you can ensure that you and your family remain safe in the days ahead.

Should You Sanitize Mail, Groceries and Take-Out Food?

The arrival of coronavirus has complicated many elements of our lives, including shopping for groceries and picking up mail and take-out. If you’ve been diligently sanitizing everything you bring into your home from the outside world, experts suggest you no longer need to do that, since your likelihood of getting COVID-19 from packaging and paper is low. 

Even on surfaces such as plastic and cardboard, where the virus can linger, it degrades rapidly. That means as long as you are washing your hands thoroughly after getting the mail or unpacking your purchases, and before preparing and eating food, you likely don’t need to overly concern yourself with sanitizing every item. However, if you are concerned that something you’ve brought into your home might be contaminated, consider leaving nonperishable items out in a separate room for 24 hours after you get home.

Cleaning Tips to Follow If Someone in Your Household Gets Sick

If you’re quarantined with someone who falls ill – whether it’s with COVID-19 or some other sickness – you’ll want to follow specific cleaning tips to avoid getting sick yourself or spreading illness among anyone who lives with you. 

• If possible, create separate sleeping, eating and bathroom areas for the person who is sick.
• Limit your contact with the sick person as much as you can.
• If they are feeling up to it, you can provide the contagious person with supplies to clean their living area themselves. If not, wait as long as possible before cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. 
• Set up a dedicated wastebasket for any sick members of your household. Wear disposable gloves when handling and disposing of their trash, and wash your hands afterward. 

Getting Through This Together

Since we know the virus spreads through airborne droplets, handwashing and social distancing remain your two most effective weapons against the spread of coronavirus. Stay as optimistic as possible, and remember that everyone is experiencing this challenging time together.

At Beach House, we have taken extraordinary measures to remain COVID-19 symptom-free. Learn more about our clean, well-appointed beachfront addiction treatment facility by contacting our admissions advisors.