Disinfecting and personal hygiene have come into the limelight the past 2 years because of the raging pandemic. But it’s a good habit to cultivate, even after the pandemic situation has stabilised. Disinfecting doesn’t only refer to using professional equipment to mist or fumigate, it also includes tips we can incorporate into our daily lives to disinfect and keep our living areas clean.
Tips to disinfect living areas
1. Make cleaning and tidying up a daily habit
Cleaning up is probably the last thing on your mind after a long day of work. While it’s tempting to immediately laze around on your sofa or your bed, think first about all the dirt and germs that might have latched onto you throughout the day.
Be sure to wash your hands or take a shower after heading out, and change into fresh clothes. Personal hygiene goes a long way during these trying times.
Working from home means that you’ll be spending most of your time in your own house. It would be good to vacuum and wipe down high-touch areas of your home every other day. Focus on the living room floor, water faucets, doorknobs, and light switches to get the most impact.
Loose items such as your shoes, bags, and that week-old shirt draped over your sofa carry unwanted germs from outside. Don’t forget to clean and wash them before storing them properly in their designated areas.
2. Sanitize your gadgets with the right disinfectant
When was the last time you cleaned or disinfected your computer keyboard? Studies have shown that these gadgets and gizmos can be dirtier than your toilet seat! When working from home, you should ensure that your gadgets are always sanitized and free from germs and viruses.
You should use alcohol wipes to clean your phone if you want to prevent unnecessary damage. They can be purchased from supermarkets and pharmacies.
Alternatively, you can make your own by dampening a microfibre cloth or cotton swab with diluted rubbing alcohol containing 60% water and 40% alcohol. Be sure to wipe down all the gadgets at home, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, TV remotes, and even the little buttons like the power knob of your microwave oven.
Never wipe your phone with harsh chemicals like window cleaners, kitchen cleaners, makeup removers, dish soaps, hand soaps, and vinegar. These disinfectants may damage your phone and strip off its water- and oil-proof coating.
3. Show some love to the neglected areas of your home
Think about all the areas of your home that you might not have touched since the last big spring-cleaning months ago and give them the cleansing treatment as well. It is crucial to keep all parts of your living area in tip-top condition since you will be spending most of your hours here.
You should not focus purely on the obvious areas like that dusty corner behind the television. Give some attention to the furniture and appliances in plain sight, such as your bed’s headboard, kitchen stoves, and even your alarm clock.
Wipe down everything with a disinfectant, and make a habit of it!
4. Give attention to your pillows and mattresses
After a long day of work, a good night’s rest is crucial. Your mattress and pillows are items that typically do not see enough cleaning beyond the regular changing of sheets.
Ideally, pillows should be washed every month. Either throw them into your washing machine or get them dry-cleaned at your nearest laundry shop.
As for your mattress, one DIY method is to sprinkle baking soda over it with a sifter and let it sit for 24 hours. Vacuum it all up the next day and the mattress should be as good as new. Alternatively, check out our mattress cleaning services for a fuss-free way to get your mattress cleaned.
5. Don’t neglect the pre-clean and post-clean
Last but not least, as we cleaning professionals always emphasize – the pre- and post-cleaning processes are equally important.
Before cleaning, you should always remember to put on gloves even though you are cleaning your own home! Viruses and germs can be transferred from your surroundings to your hands, easily infecting you or your loved ones. Dispose of the gloves in double-lined trash bags once cleaning is done.
Don’t forget to take a good shower with soap, paying special attention to your hands, hair, face, and other contact points. Change into fresh clothes afterwards. To end off, open up the windows to allow your home to air and ventilate.
Tips to disinfect your home
There you go! With these tips to disinfect your home, you can now enjoy the fruits of your labour – a home safe for you and your loved ones!
Need a more thorough disinfection done? Book our disinfection services which include misting and wiping down to give you peace of mind.
Follow Helpling’s social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram for more content and the latest news.
Check out these articles for more:
