It's a good idea to keep your home healthy during the coronavirus crisis. For starters, understand there's a difference between cleaning and disinfecting. According to Natasha Bhuyan, M.D., regional medical director at One Medical, "Cleaning is the removal of germs or dirt from the surface. This doesn't kill pathogens, it often just wipes them away—but it still lowers the spread of infection." Think vacuuming carpets, mopping floors, wiping countertops, dusting, etc.
Disinfection, on the other hand, is something more ruthless. It's the using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. "Use CDC-approved disinfectants to target surfaces that have an increased amount of contacts such as doorknobs, handles, light switches, remotes, toilets, desks, chairs, sinks, and countertops," Dr. Bhuyan told Shape.
"The coronavirus is effectively destroyed by almost any household cleaner or simple soap and water," said Zimmerman, Daniel Zimmerman, Ph.D., senior vice president of research of cellular immunology at biotechnology company CEL-SCI Corporation. There are, however, a few materials the government is recommending specifically for the coronavirus pandemic. For example, the EPA released a list of recommended disinfectants to use against the novel coronavirus. But "pay attention to the manufacturer's instructions on how long the product should remain on the surface," Dr. Bhuyan said.
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Dr. Bhuyan also added it can be a good idea to have a look at the American Chemistry Council's (ACC) Center for Biocide Chemistries' (CBC) list of cleaning supplies to fight the coronavirus, in addition to the CDC's home cleaning guide.
Some essentials to include in your coronavirus cleaning list are Clorox bleach; Lysol sprays and toilet bowl cleaners, and Purell disinfectant wipes.
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