While research into the COVID-19 virus is ongoing, we know the virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (through coughing and sneezing), and touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. The virus may survive on surfaces for a few hours up to several days. The good news? Cleaning and disinfecting areas can kill them. Now, what does this mean for your home?
To give homeowners and business owners a helping hand, ServiceMaster by Wright, a cleaning, and restoration company in Bonita Springs, Bradenton, Cape Coral, Englewood, Fort Myers, Longboat Key, Naples, Marco Island, Sarasota, Siesta Key, and Venice, Florida, that offers Coronavirus cleaning, sanitation, and disinfection services, compiled the latest expert information on what is known about COVID-19 and tips to help keep it out of your home.
What is Coronavirus or COVID19?
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new virus that can cause respiratory illness including pneumonia.
- The virus is spread from person-to-person through close contact.
- Ways to reduce your risk of coronavirus is :
- Cleaning
- Hand washing
- Social Distancing
- Before you travel find out if the latest coronavirus advice for the country you're visiting.
Breaking the Chain of COVID19
When it comes to cleaning, ServiceMaster by Wright wants to break the links that are the weakest. And for us lots of times that’s cleaning. Breaking down basic soils can break the chain of infection. Help prevent things from spreading and becoming a bigger problem later by doing:
- Washing your hands frequently
- Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your inner elbow
- Disposing of used tissue in the bin immediately
- Practicing social distancing
- Using personal protective equipment appropriately
- Cleaning frequently touched surfaces
About Mask
- As confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, the CDC is recommending that everyone wear a cloth mask when they go out in public.
- Experts say the homemade masks won’t protect someone from getting sick, but they can help prevent the spread of the disease by those with the virus.
- Experts also recommend that everyone continue social distancing and other preventive measures in addition to wearing face coverings.
Gloves: Are you using them correctly?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that COVID-19 transmission through respiratory droplets is more common than through direct contact and it has yet to advise non-healthcare workers to wear gloves when going outside. For those who plan on wearing gloves anyway, here are some dos and don’ts regarding their usage during this pandemic:
Do's
- Do: Wear gloves while cleaning
- Do: Wash your hands before and after wearing gloves
- Do: Wear gloves when taking care of a sick person
Don't
- Don’t: Hastily remove your gloves
- Don’t: Choose the wrong gloves
- Don’t: Touch your face while wearing gloves
- Don’t: Forget about your personal hygiene
Practicing personal hygiene and physical distancing is still crucial even if you’re wearing gloves as gloves alone won’t keep.
Tips to Disinfect Your Home
The Coronavirus lockdown has meant many are spending more time than ever in their property. ServiceMaster by PWF, a cleaning expert has revealed how to disinfect your entire home and get rid of germs. As the virus can survive on surfaces of different materials for at least two-three days, potentially contaminated surfaces should be sanitized thoroughly.
Here are five steps to sanitize your living and working area:
1. Prepare your cleaning tools
2. Start to clean surfaces
3. Wash fabrics
4. Finishing up
5. Ensuring personal hygiene
Wiping and Mopping: Are you using the right tools?
Things can get even more disturbing when you realize that most people rarely consider the importance of cleaning their cleaning devices! Like:
1. Sponges, nearly all mops should be cleaned and sterilized on a regular basis.
2. After 3 or 4 uses, and often when the mop starts to smell weird, it’s advised to use a deep soak solution.
3. Make sure not to let it soak for too long.
4. The head should be completely replaced when it is heavily stained and shows considerable wear.
Clean, Sanitize, Disinfect: What's the Difference
We looked at what the experts at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had to say on the subject. Keep reading to learn the difference between sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing.
Cleaning
Refers to simply removing dirt and other impurities from a surface, sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing all go far beyond this to eliminate harmful bacteria.
Sanitizing
Refers to lowering the number of germs on a surface to a safe level. This process works either through cleaning, which physically removes germs from surfaces or disinfecting, which kills germs. Sanitizing is generally a little more gentle than disinfecting.
Disinfecting
Refers to killing nearly 100 percent of germs on surfaces or objects. This works by using chemicals to kill germs. Disinfecting doesn’t necessarily clean dirty surfaces, but it does kill germs, helping to lower the risk of infection.
High Touch Surfaces: Where to Focus cleaning efforts
The goal of ServiceMaster by PWF is cleaning for health and proper disinfection. Below are several considerations for helping to create a cleaner and healthier facility.
High-touch areas can include: doorknobs, arms of reception area chairs, elevator buttons, stair railings, common area telephones, restroom surfaces, coffee pot handles or dispensers, and water cooler handles.
Tip No. 1: Consider the Surface Type
By using the proper cleaning solutions and tools. Remember: There is a difference between cleaning and disinfecting. Additionally, many disinfectants target specific bacteria or viruses. To successfully perform your job you’ll need a broad-spectrum disinfectant.
Tip No. 2: Consider the Surface Shape
Consider this: If you or a building occupant has something as simple as a paper cut and handles any of these surfaces, the bacteria have found a perfect entry point. Additionally, our bodies offer the ready environment for bacteria to grow: heat, darkness, and moisture.
We Are To Help
To help make sure your home or business is as low-risk as possible, for each of the reasons above, we believe that every essential home or business should be regularly conducting professional cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. When the time comes to have sanitizing work done, we have several recommendations at ServiceMaster by Wright.
To help make sure your home or business is as low-risk as possible, for each of the reasons above, we believe that every essential home or business should be regularly conducting professional cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. When the time comes to have sanitizing work done, we have several recommendations at ServiceMaster by Wright.
And of course, whenever you decide to clean, sanitize, and disinfect, ServiceMaster by Wright is here for you and happy to help. Call us at:
239-431-9947.