The Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting

It’s important to note that cleaning a surface – simply removing dirt and particles – is not the same thing as disinfecting it to kill viruses and bacteria.

There are many products you can use to clean hard surfaces, like soapy water and vinegar. And while cleaning high-traffic surfaces to remove contaminants, dust and debris is a necessary step of cleaning your home, you still need to disinfect those surfaces from the novel coronavirus.

Disinfecting Against COVID-19

You don’t need to clean your house from top to bottom each day, but you should focus on disinfecting the areas that are hot-spots for germs. These are the most important items to disinfect every day:

• Cupboard and drawer knobs/pulls
• Faucets
• Kitchen and bathroom counters
• Toilets, especially the seat and handle
• Refrigerator, dishwasher, oven and microwave handles
• Remote controls and game controllers
• Cell phones, tablets and other mobile devices
• Computer keyboards and mice
• Door knobs/handles
• Table surfaces
• Staircase railings
• Light switches/switch plates

Try to wear disposable gloves and discard them after disinfecting. If you have reusable gloves, be sure to disinfect them after you’re done. And always remember to disinfect your hands before and after you clean and disinfect your home.