COVID-19: How to deep clean your home during and after a virus outbreak

If I had to rate my home for cleanliness and hygiene, I’d says it’s an eight out of 10. A dog, a cat, two little boys and a husband means it’s unlikely to ever be more.

However, since the outbreak of COVID-19 and its rapid global spread, I’ve become extra vigilant about hygiene in general and within my home.

Washing hands is non-negotiable, everyone’s elbow sneezing and coughing when necessary and my antibacterial sprays are working overtime.

“The majority of viruses that exist in the home are benign and don’t cause any illness or disease when they come into contact with people,” says Dr Ryan Harvey, clinical director at House Call Doctor.

“Viruses that cause harm to people generally have a life cycle that involves survival within a host human. A virus’ survival on home surfaces varies from hours to days, depending on the type of virus and environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and weather.”

Dr Harvey notes that places you touch regularly or leave bodily fluids in or on will likely have the highest levels of virus. Think bathrooms, kitchens, doorknobs, TV remotes and computer keyboards. I’m cringing at the thought.

So how can I clean to minimise those nasties?

Huy Hoang is operations director at Simply Maid. He tells me that preventative and control measures in the home are presently more important than ever. As he tells me this, I’m wiping my hands with sanitiser. Paranoid, much!

“Inadequate cleaning of your home during and after a pandemic could put yours and others health at risk,” he says. “Contagious viruses such as influenza, whooping cough and COVID-19 spread aggressively within confined spaces.

“Simple things like washing a teacup used by an ill person could contaminate the sink, faucet, and surrounding area if not cleaned properly.”

Unlike a spring clean, deep cleaning a home during and after a virus outbreak means we need to take things up a notch.

Hoang advises that my increased use of antibacterial products is currently justified, as are disposable cleaning tools like wipes and paper towel. If reusing any cleaning tools, he advises soaking them in a germ-killing solution for a few hours after each use.

“All surfaces should be cleaned first and then disinfected,” says Hoang. “This means removing dirt, dust particles and germs with mild soap and water before disinfecting the surface with an antibacterial disinfectant.

“Allow cleaning products enough sitting time to effectively fight germs. Spray surfaces generously and leave for 10 minutes before re-spraying and wiping and don’t forget to wipe down your walls.”

Hoang notes that carpets and rugs with any bodily fluids, such as vomit, should be immediately deep cleaned using appropriate cleaners and methods and the warmest water suitable for the material.

However, if you’re anything like me and want to be 100 per cent comforted that germs are killed, a professional carpet cleaning company is the way to go.

When it comes to the bedroom, the washing machine’s your friend. Bedding, curtains and clothes hampers should be thrown in the wash on the warmest temperature cycle appropriate and all should be dry before being stored.

In the kitchen and bathrooms, things get a bit more serious again.

“All kitchen appliances should be regularly sterilised inside and out, and bathrooms deep cleaned from top to bottom daily to ensure no spots are missed,” says Hoang.

And with his recommendations to mop the floor twice daily with separate, unused mop heads, my arms should be getting a good workout.

With all this advice, I admit that I’m feeling increased anxiety as my cleaning “to do” list has now significantly increased. But, if it means that I can keep germs at bay, then it’s worth the time it’ll take, so I’m approaching it with gusto.

As for the antibacterial wipe scrum at the supermarket, not so much.