One of the most effective ways to block the transmission of COVID-19 is by disinfecting surfaces that people usually touch, such as doorknobs, tables, and elevator buttons. However, specific techniques are required for the disinfection to work. So here is a complete guide on how to disinfect surfaces for the coronavirus disease.

Disinfecting Hard Surfaces

For hard surfaces that are safe to get wet, here are the types of disinfectant you can use:

● Bleach with at least 1,000ppm sodium hypochlorite
● Alcohol with a minimum concentration of 70%
● For more disinfectant options the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends to combat the novel coronavirus, you can check out this list

Here is how to perform the disinfection:

● The disinfectant solution may splash and irritate the skin and eyes. Hence, wear protection for your skin and eyes, such as masks, goggles, or face shields.
● Mix ⅓ cup (5 tablespoons) of bleach with a gallon of water.
● Alcohol should not be diluted to less than 70%.
● For other types of disinfectant products, read the instructions written on the bottle.
● If the surface has dirt on it, clean it first with soap and water. Wipe it dry afterward.
● Spray the disinfectant solution to the surface. Make sure it covers 100% of the area.
● Let the disinfectant stay on the surface for at least one minute before wiping it off.

Disinfecting Electronic Surfaces

Electronic surfaces are prone to viruses too. Unfortunately, they might get short-circuited if water gets in the machine. Most electronics come with a manual book where there are instructions on how to disinfect the surface properly. But if you don’t have any such instructions, you can use alcohol-based wipes with a concentration of at least 70%.

Disinfecting Soft Surfaces

Soft surfaces like rugs, curtains, and clothes also need disinfection as the coronavirus may last on those for days. Fortunately, soft surfaces are much easier to disinfect than hard surfaces.

Putting clothes to the laundry with soap and water, as usual, is effective in killing the virus. Avoid touching dirty clothes too much when you are not going to wash them yet, especially if the clothes belong to sick people. Also, don’t forget to wash your hands appropriately after finishing the laundry.

Things that cannot go in the laundry, such as carpeted floors and beds, require more effort to disinfect. You can start by vacuuming them as usual. Use cleaning agents recommended by the EPA, as listed above. Follow the instructions written on the package because each product may have different methods. For an easier solution, you can call a home-cleaning service to get the job done. Make sure they have an appropriate hygiene protocol to prevent the novel coronavirus.

With the outbreak of COVID-19, maintaining personal hygiene might not be enough to stop the spread of the disease. We also need to keep our surroundings clean, especially the surfaces that people often touch. Hence, it is crucial to know the right way to disinfect surfaces for the coronavirus disease.