In the midst of a pandemic, keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe is of utmost importance. While there may not be a foolproof method for disinfecting ourselves after going outside, we can certainly compile a comprehensive guide by incorporating preventive measures.
So, how can we effectively protect ourselves and our families from COVID-19 when venturing outdoors? It starts with setting clear rules at home and ensuring everyone follows them diligently. Creating a designated "transition zone" near the door, such as a corner or an old table, can further streamline the process. And let's not forget the essential element—keeping your disinfectant products within easy reach in the transition zone.
However, the order in which we perform certain tasks becomes crucial to prevent cross-contamination of objects and surfaces. Common mistakes, like forgetting to remove our shoes before entering our homes, can have significant consequences. That's precisely why we've developed this 11-step guide, meticulously organized to minimize the risk of infection within our living spaces. Oh, and speaking of keeping your apartment safe and clean, have you considered the convenience of apartment cleaning services?
We'll touch upon that later, but for now, let's delve into the steps that will help you maintain a hygienic environment after your outings.
1. Put your things in the transition zone.
Put everything you touched with your hands —like keys, wallet, and cellphone— in the transition zone. Also, whatever you bought or took with you while you were out, like groceries.
2. Take off your shoes
You must take off your shoes before entering your home because the soles might be infected —remember that outside people can cough, sneeze, or even spit onto the floors. If you can’t avoid entering home with them on, mop the floor with water and disinfectant afterward.
3. Wash your hands
Before this third step, avoid touching anything in the interior of your home. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, making sure you scrub between and around your fingers, under your nails, your palms, the back of your hands, and wrists.
4. Disinfect doorknobs, faucets and light switches
It’s almost impossible to avoid touching these things. So, right after you finish washing your hands, use a sanitizing wipe or spray some disinfectant over a cloth and start wiping the faucet, doorknobs, and light switches you touched.
5. Disinfect your keys, wallet, and cellphone
Don’t lower the disinfectant yet. Spray some over your keys, pass a wipe over your wallet and put a little sanitizer on your phone. When you finish, put them in a clean place, preferably. Your purse has to be hard-to-reach and in a corner with no other objects.
6. Wash your hands
Every time you finish cleaning and disinfecting, wash your hands.
7. Change your clothes or take a shower.
If you were in a high-risk place, like a doctor’s office, you better take a shower. Leave your clothes in a transition zone —avoid the hamper— or wash them immediately with warm water if you can. Then take a shower, and you are ready to continue your day. Or, in the case that you weren’t in much risk of contamination, just change your upper clothes.
8. Disinfect your groceries
Get rid of all the disposable bags and packagings, put your food in tubs or other clean containers, and disinfect the rest.
9. Disinfect the surfaces
Once you are done with your groceries, spray some disinfectant over your countertops, tables, or wherever you put your groceries. Wait a minute for the liquid to do its effect and then wipe with a clean cloth.
10. Disinfect your car
If you use your car, be sure to disinfect your steering wheel, levers, seats, and other touched surfaces.
11. Wash your hands again
You know the drill: wash your hands after disinfecting.
That’s it! We hope this information is helpful to you. Remember that we offer home cleaning services, especially design to prevent COVID-19 in homes. Schedule your service online.
