How to Properly Disinfect Your Surroundings

The coronavirus pandemic has made it more important than ever to disinfect and properly clean your home, office and car to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
 
There are many unknowns about the COVID-19 germ and the surfaces it lives on. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the average influenza virus can survive on surfaces and still infect a person for up to two to eight hours after being deposited on the surface.
 
Are you sure you have been cleaning and disinfecting the proper way?

You might be surprised to learn that you need to wash surfaces with soap and water before you use a disinfectant for it to work properly. In addition, did you know it can take up to 10 minutes for a surface, treated with a disinfectant, to be germ free; or that it must remain wet for up to 10 minutes? This means you may need to apply the disinfectant wipe or solution more than one time to keep the surface wet for the allotted time.
 
Below are some everyday cleaning steps as well as the extra steps that need to be taken when someone in your home or office becomes sick.
 
Clean

• Wear gloves to protect yourself from germs and the chemicals.
• Clean surfaces with soap and water. This reduces the number of germs, dirt and impurities on the surface.
• Practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces like tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, phones, steering wheels, etc.

Disinfect

• View the list of approved EPA-registered household disinfectants that are good at reducing germs, along with how long they need to stay wet on the surface.
• Be aware that diluted household bleach solutions may only be used if appropriate for the surface. You should never clean wood surfaces, most metals, granite or stone with bleach solutions.
• To make a bleach solution first make sure the bleach hasn’t expired, and then mix five tablespoons bleach per gallon of room temperature water. Leave solution on the surface for at least one minute. Bleach solutions will be effective for disinfection up to 24 hours.
• Make sure to read directions and labels on all cleaning products so you know if you need to apply additional coats to keep the surface wet for the allotted amount of time to disinfect.

When someone is sick

• The person who is sick should stay separated from other people in the home as much as possible, in a separate bedroom and separate bathroom.
• When possible, the sick person should clean and sanitize their space frequently and clean the bathroom after each use. If a caregiver needs to do the cleaning, try to stay away from the infected area for as long as possible.
• The person who is sick should eat (or be fed) in their room if possible. Wash dishes and utensils using disposable gloves and hot water: Handle any used dishes, cups/glasses, or silverware with gloves. Wash them with soap and hot water or in a dishwasher.
• When handling laundry make sure to wear gloves, clean and disinfect the clothes hamper, remove gloves and wash your hands immediately.

We are all in this pandemic together and if each of us does our part to prevent passing germs we can beat this together. For more cleaning tips and steps to disinfecting, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Allied National

Founded in 1970, Allied is one of the nation's oldest and most experienced third-party administrators. Allied National is a 90 Degree Benefits Company, a subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield Alabama. As the small group benefit experts, Allied works with small business employers to provide unique and affordable group health benefits.