Amid the stay-at-home measures imposed by the novel coronavirus in many countries around the world, many homes are becoming more crowded than usual.
Bathrooms are perhaps the most important gathering point in the house, as all the residents of the house pass through, and therefore they are a focus for microbes.
Therefore, during the current pandemic, keeping toilets, sinks, and other surfaces in the bathroom germ-free is key to keeping you and your family healthy.
According to data published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the emerging corona virus remains on hard surfaces for up to 3 days.
And an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Dr. William Schaffner, said: "Any household disinfectants will work against this virus," noting that "soap and water have good efficacy to resist the emerging corona virus."
Here are some tips to help you clean your home bathroom to combat the Corona virus:
Make sure to follow the correct steps
When you get ready to clean your bathroom, start by making sure you wash your hands.
And if you use disinfectants, you should choose high-quality disinfectants.
The US Environmental Protection Agency has released a list of disinfectants strong enough to combat viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, which causes Covid-19. The list includes disinfecting wipes "Clorox".
It is important to focus on cleaning the "most touchable" areas of your bathroom including light switches, door handles, and especially sinks. Cleaning should also include less visible areas, including shower heads, the space around the toilet seat, hair dryers, toothbrushes, razors or other appliances in the bathroom.
Make sure the appliances are turned off and unplugged before proceeding with a deep cleaning.
And you should consider putting an erasable cover on electronic devices if you can, following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and trying to use a cleaning solution of at least 70% alcohol.
After wiping hard surfaces such as sinks and countertops, be sure to leave them damp with the disinfectant for 3 to 5 minutes.
The American Cleaning Institute recommends letting surfaces dry alone, then rinsing them with water.
Sansoni noted that many people do not follow the directions printed on cleaning product labels, including allowing cleaning products enough time to work. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you adhere to the instructions on the product you are using, and that you are using it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Use separate bathrooms if someone in the family is sick
And if a family member shows symptoms of "Covid-19", it is important to designate his own bathroom and isolate him from others.
If there is no more than one bathroom in the house, have the person with symptoms clean surfaces they touched after using the bathroom, according to the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If the person is too sick to clean, the second option is to have a healthy person clean the area. But it is best to wait as long as possible before entering, to wear a mask and gloves to clean the mask and to wash his clothes after cleaning.
And if the patient needs help using the bathroom, a family member can be assigned to help him and stick to a special routine, Schaffner said.
Schaffner emphasized that if you are nearby with someone who is showing symptoms, you should protect yourself with at least a face mask.
Protect yourself if you are helping a sick family member
In addition to a face mask, Schaffner recommended wearing gloves and another type of clothing over your regular clothes if you're caring for someone who is sick in the bathroom.
Schaffner also recommends putting any sterile wipes you use inside a plastic bag and throwing them in the trash. Then change your clothes after you've finished cleaning the bathroom or helping someone else use it.
If someone in your home is sick, it is important to wash any of their soiled towels or clothing separately.
Soap can work better than sanitizing products
If sanitizing products are not available, soap is a better alternative, said CNN's chief medical correspondent, Sanjay Gupta.
Finish the job correctly
Gupta explained that you don't necessarily have to wear gloves while cleaning. But if you do, make sure when you're done removing it by running your finger under the opening of the glove so you don't touch the exposed outer side. Then wash your hands one last time after removing the gloves.
Source: CNN.com