Your kitchen cabinet may already be stocked with cleaning agents that can kill the coronavirus. But not all chemicals work and none are as gentle on your skin as hand sanitizers. Here we have the following cleaning tips to kill the pathogens that cause COVID-19 and other deadly diseases.
Each disinfectant chemical has its own specific instructions. But an important general rule is that you should not immediately wipe off a cleaning solution once you have applied it to a surface. Let it sit there long enough to kill viruses first.
General guidelines for disinfection:
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, telephones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.
- Use detergent or soap and water on dirty surfaces prior to disinfection.
- If someone in your home is sick with flu-like symptoms, consider disinfecting items in your home regularly, as some viruses can survive on plastic.
Whatever cleaning solution you use, let it stay in contact with the surface long enough to kill viruses and other pathogens. The time required depends on the chemical.
- Do not use different cleaning agents at the same time. Some household chemicals, when mixed, can produce dangerous and toxic gases.
Also read:Tips for safe cleaning
Bleaching:
- Bleach can be diluted with cold water to make an effective disinfectant against bacteria, fungi and many viruses, including coronaviruses. Follow the directions on the bleach label.
- Make a diluted bleach solution if necessary and use it within 24 hours, as the disinfecting power fades over time.
- Non-porous items such as plastic toys can be submerged in bleach for 30 seconds. Household surfaces not damaged by bleach should be exposed for 10 minutes or more.
- Bleach solutions are very harsh on the skin and should not be used as a substitute for hand wash and/or hand sanitizer.
Alcohol:
- Alcohol in many forms, including rubbing alcohol, can be effective in killing many pathogens. You can dilute alcohol with water (or aloe vera to make hand sanitizer), but make sure to maintain an alcohol concentration of about 70% to kill coronaviruses.
- Solutions of 70% alcohol should be left on surfaces (including cell phones - but consult phone manufacturer's advice) for 30 seconds to ensure they kill viruses. Pure (100%) alcohol evaporates too quickly for this.
- Containers containing 70% alcohol must be sealed to prevent evaporation. But unlike bleach solutions, they remain potent as long as they are sealed between uses.
- A 70% alcohol solution with water will be very hard on your hands and should not be used as a substitute for hand wash and/or hand sanitizer.
Hydrogen peroxide:
- Hydrogen peroxide is typically sold in concentrations of about 3%. It can be used as is or diluted to a concentration of 0.5% for effective use against coronaviruses on surfaces. It should remain on the surface for a minute before being wiped off.
Also read:10 habits of people who always have a clean house
Natural chemicals (vinegar or tea tree oil)
- Vinegar, tea tree oil and other natural products are not recommended for fighting coronaviruses. One study of the flu virus found that cleaning with a 10% solution of malt vinegar was effective, but few other studies have shown that vinegar can kill a significant portion of the viruses or other microbes. While tea tree oil may help fight the virus that causes cold sores, there is no evidence that it can kill coronaviruses.
