The spread of diseases through viruses is increasingly attracting attention. What can we do to prevent it? One of the recommendations is to thoroughly clean and disinfect the spaces we inhabit. The house is one of them. How to do it? We will tell you:

The first thing to keep in mind is that cleaning well is not the same as disinfecting. The first means that spaces look shiny and without any apparent dirt; the second refers to going to those corners that are imperceptible to the eye to remove accumulated dirt, fighting viruses and bacteria as much as possible. We also know it as deep cleaning.

There are some spaces in homes that require careful inspection and thorough disinfection. Below is a list of them and instructions on how to do so.

Bathrooms and kitchen: Without a doubt, these are the two areas that require the most attention. Chlorine and ammonia are essential to achieve disinfection in these cases. That is why it is advisable to check that the products you use contain them.

Pay special attention to shower stalls, taps, clothes, towels, radiators, sinks, toilets; clean the inside of cupboards, vacuum shelves, drawers and all interiors and doors with your disinfectant spray.

Also, keep in mind that “with everyone working and studying from home now, the kitchen will need to be cleaned a couple of times a day. The good news is that smart, targeted cleaning works,” says Brian Sansoni, vice president of communications for the American Cleaning Institute.

Sofas and home furnishings: Everyone in the house comes into contact with these objects. That is why it is essential to clean them thoroughly and disinfect them so that they do not become a source of transmission of viruses and bacteria.

How to do it? If the sofa has a cover, remove it and disinfect it in the washing machine. Otherwise, clean it with a cloth and a special product for upholstery.

This task involves thoroughly cleaning all household textiles that can be put in the washing machine, such as curtains, bed linen, pillowcases or bath towels, always following the recommendations on the labels.

If allowed, add a little chlorine to the water, this will eventually remove any residue left there.

Windows: Clean them inside and out. We recommend mixing them with ammonia as this will help both to disinfect and degrease.

Another alternative to this product is vinegar, which also adds shine. You just have to dilute it in hot water. Acetic acid, the main component of this, will allow you to thoroughly disinfect the product.

Other household items: Remember to clean and disinfect daily the items you have multiple contacts with, such as doors, towels, telephones, controls, etc. It is essential to clean them with ammonia or alcohol to disinfect.

In houses where someone is carrying a virus:

Pay special attention to the following recommendations:

– Place a waste bin in the patient’s room with an automatic lid and a bag inside with an airtight seal to hold the waste.

– Use a mask and gloves when cleaning.

– Clean with a mixture that has one part chlorine for every 50 milliliters of water.

– Clean all frequently touched surfaces daily: door handles, tables, light switches, faucets, toilets, telephones and keyboards.

– Wash dishes with hot water and soap.

– Wash the patient’s clothes separately from the rest of the household’s clothes. Do so with regular soap and at a temperature of between 60 and 90 degrees.

If you go shopping, keep in mind:

Clean non-porous containers: It is possible that a non-porous container (glass or metal) may have viruses from someone who has been in contact with it. You can use wipes or disinfectant to clean cans, bottles, and glasses.

Change the containers of some foods: Sometimes it is a good idea to transfer some foods, such as whole grains, legumes and pasta, to clean containers.

Wash your food as usual: There are no known cases of viruses such as COVID-19 being transmitted through food, according to the European Food Safety Authority. Respiratory viruses do not usually reproduce through the digestive tract, the study says. However, it never hurts to be a little careful.