If you suspect that your home may be exposed to the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), the National Environment agency has provided some guidelines on how to clean your living area.
Here are five steps to sanitise your home:
1. Prepare your cleaning tools
Wear a surgical mask, disposable gloves and a bleach solution or appropriate disinfectant with indication of effectiveness against coronavirus.
Keep the windows open for ventilation, and remember to avoid touching your face and eyes.
2. Start to clean surfaces
Prepare the disinfectant or bleach solution, and mop the floor of your residence from one end to another.
Use disposable cloths or rags to wipe toilet surfaces and frequently touched areas, such as handles, doorknobs, armrests, switches, etc.
Do not use a spray pack to apply disinfectant as it may create splashes which can further spread the virus.
3. Wash fabrics
Use a washing machine and detergent to wash fabrics, such as bed sheets, pillow covers and blankets.
4. Finishing up
Repeat mopping the floor of your residence from one end to another, but avoid going from uncleaned areas to cleaned areas, to avoid dirtying the cleaned area.
With your gloves and mask on, throw all used cloths, as well as other waste, into a double-lined plastic trash bag.
Remove gloves and surgical mask, then wash your hands with soap and water. Separate clean-up waste from other household waste.
5. Ensuring personal hygiene
Shower and change your clothes, then air and ventilate your home.
Remember to avoid sharing household items, and wash used items thoroughly with soap and water.
As the virus can survive on surfaces of different materials for at least 2-3 days, potentially contaminated surfaces should be sanitised thoroughly. You should avoid hosting visitors in the home until your residence is sanitised.
For the full instructions, see the NEA guidelines here or watch this video:
