Strict hygiene can protect us from the new coronavirus, as well as the flu and SARS (which also have not disappeared). Keep clean not only hands, but also everyday objects that are real breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. We tell which ones.
We’ll make a reservation right away: not all disinfectants can kill this particular virus (of course, we are talking about COVID-19). More recently, scientists from universities in Germany and Switzerland have found that a hand sanitizer can cope with covide if it contains at least 30% ethanol or propanol.
The most effective formulations recommended by WHO, in which the alcohol content exceeds 70%. The virus inactivates after 30 seconds – this is reported on the bioRxiv website.
Recall how long the coronavirus lives on various surfaces.
This is why a disinfectant should regularly process things that you often touch. We are talking about the following items of our everyday life.
Mobile phone
During the day, you touch the smartphone countless times. But if you do not expose a gadget sanitized, all your efforts on the part of and proper hand washing immediately come to naught. Back in 2012, scientists at the University of Arizona, USA, discovered that there are more germs on cell phones than on toilets!
Disinfection of a mobile phone does not imply the use of water. Wipe the surface with a microfiber cloth onto which you previously sprayed the cleaning agent (not directly onto the screen!). Remove the case and wipe it with a clean cloth dampened with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol, then let dry.
Keyboard
The keyboard, on which we “click” for hours, is full of nooks and crannies that hide various infections. Set aside work for a few minutes and do basic cleaning: turn off the keyboard, turn over and shake the crumbs and dust (or better yet, use a keyboard vacuum cleaner). To disinfect, wipe the surface with a cloth soaked in 70% alcohol, making sure that the liquid does not glass between the keys.
Door handles and switches
Getting infected from a doorknob sounds absurd, but, according to Chuck Herb, a professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona, is absolutely real ( Health reports ). The same goes for the switches you use most often – for example, in the bathroom. Wipe contaminated areas with microfiber with a cleanser or disinfectant. When handling the circuit breaker, be careful that liquid does not enter the outlet.
Kitchen: sinks, countertops, faucets
Microbes quickly accumulate in the kitchen sink and on the working surface of the table, no matter how clean they may seem. You probably maintain order in the kitchen, but during a period of weakened immunity and the outbreak of a new virus, it is important to make twice as much effort for this. 2 – 3 times a day, handle the sink, faucet and handles of the kitchen cabinet, in which there is a bin, with a disinfectant spray.
Bags and Wallets
Money and plastic cards inside the wallet are well-known “carriers” of microbes, and the bag is constantly in contact with surfaces of dubious cleanliness in vehicles, public catering, cinemas and other crowded places. Before you finally quarantine, you must sanitize your wallets and bags (both outside and inside). Apply 70% alcohol cleaner to a napkin or cotton pad, thoroughly treat the surface and do not lose sight of metal parts.
Desktop
During the quarantine period, many of us switched to remote work, but the home work area, like in the office, requires cleanliness. Do not forget to use a disinfectant spray daily or wipe the surface of the table and chair with alcohol wipes.
TV remote
Being on self-isolation, we will surely spend more time in front of the TV. Fact # 1: Netflix, HBO, and Channel One will not see themselves. Fact No. 2: the remote control will not clean itself either. But this is one of the most “captured” things in the house. Remove the batteries from it, and wipe with a clean cloth dampened with 70 percent alcohol. To clean the buttons, use cotton swabs, also impregnated with alcohol. Make sure the remote control is completely dry, put the batteries back in place and enjoy a horizontal position while watching your favorite TV shows.
By the way, as for the hands
Antiseptics and hand sanitizers DO NOT REPLACE or do not cancel handwashing, so when you are out of the house, do this at every opportunity. Soap your hands for at least 20 seconds, paying attention to the area between your fingers and wrists. Hand sanitizer is option number 3, after the primary soap and warm water.
