Sanitization is a must-have for hygiene, may it be home or surrounding. One needs to know the proper process of sanitization and disinfection to keep the diseases and infections at bay.
Even polluted air and poor quality of water can affect one’s health. It is a safe practice to clean and sanitize the house on a regular basis so that our loved ones are safe and secured.
The world was gripped with the fear of coronavirus at its inception and global spread around January 2020, and India saw the first lockdown in March 2020. Since the COVID- 19 pandemic, doctors have recommended sanitizing the home frequently to curb the spread. One of the requirements has been self-isolation, which was advised to COVID positive patients who had mild symptoms, and thus it became necessary for people to understand how to sanitize the home by themselves.
There is a lot of confusion in understanding what sanitization and disinfection are, and people use both interchangeably, so let’s first understand the difference between both.
Difference between sanitization and disinfection
Sanitization is the process where you clean the surfaces with mild cleaners to prevent bacteria and viruses and to bring the count of pathogens to a lower and safe level. This is a precautionary measure.
Disinfection is when one uses harmful chemicals or bleach to destroy pathogens. Thus, one needs to be extra careful while dealing with disinfectants and avoid facial contact while using the same.
How to disinfect house in 2023
There is no need to disinfect your entire home every day. But, make it a habit to disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home on a regular basis. Doorknobs and handles, kitchen counters, washing machine handles, faucets, toilet seats, table surfaces, switchboards, and electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptop computers will all be included.
Increase your cleaning frequency. There will undoubtedly be some contamination if you have visitors. Make sure to clean those surfaces with a disinfectant spray. If surfaces appear dirty, clean them as soon as possible.
How do you keep your house clean? Do you clean with Dettol or bleach? The good news is that both are effective. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reports that hydrogen peroxide and bleach solutions are the most effective against the virus. After applying to the affected area, let it sit for 15-20 minutes before rinsing.
Disinfecting wipes and sprays containing more than 60% alcohol can also be used. Most germs are killed instantly by alcohol. If you don’t have any disinfectants, plain soap and water will suffice. Scrub your kitchen counters and faucets with warm water and soap on a daily basis, for example. You can also use soap and water to clean your carpets and rugs. Finally, maintain good hygiene. Wash your hands as often as possible, especially if you’ve been outside.
How to sanitise a home after isolation?
After you or a family member has recovered completely from the illness and there is no risk of infection, all areas used by the affected person must be thoroughly cleaned and sterile. Here’s how to sanitise your home after you’ve been isolated:
- Clean and disinfect the areas where the sick person lived, especially the bedroom and bathroom.
- When entering these premises, make sure to wear a mask.
- To improve air circulation, open the windows and keep the fan running.
- Check the disinfectant label for potential applications and sanitise accordingly.
- Clean the surfaces on a daily basis for three days (disinfection not needed)
- Then, return to your regular cleaning routine. There is no need for sterilisation.
How to sanitise home naturally?
Chemical disinfectants can occasionally react with plastics and other materials, lowering the quality. You can be confident that organic cleaners will leave your home spotless without causing any harm. Vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, lemon, and cornstarch are common natural disinfectants.
Here’s how to make your own disinfectant at home:
1. Herbal alcohol spray
Pour around 25-30 drops of any essential oil (lavender, thyme) into a 240 ml glass spray bottle. Then pour in the rubbing alcohol. Make sure it contains at least 70% alcohol. Shake well before storing in a cool place.
When using, spray directly on the surface and wipe clean with a cloth.
2. Vinegar and baking soda spray
4 cups hot water, 1/4 cup white vinegar, and 2 tablespoons baking soda Mix thoroughly until the baking soda is completely dissolved. Squeeze a whole lemon into the mixture and add the lemon rinds. Wait for the mixture to cool. Once the mixture has cooled, add four drops of lemon essential oil or any essential oil of your choice. Strain the mixture to remove the lemon pulp and seeds. Finally, pour this mixture into a spray bottle and you’re finished!
A few quick tips
- Make it a habit to clean your house every day.
- For soft surfaces such as rugs and carpets, use plain soap and water. Use disinfectant sprays or wipes on hard surfaces.
- Before using disinfectants, always read the label; otherwise, they may cause surface damage.
- If you are visiting from another country, learn how to disinfect your home after quarantine.
- DIY disinfectants are possible, but exact measurements must be followed. Any difference in ratios can render these disinfectants ineffective.
- Always keep a sanitizer bottle on hand in case of an emergency.
Conclusion
One can take measures to stay safe from the virus, and taking precautions in general and using these steps will help them do the same. If one feels that this task needs to be done by a professional, then get it done by a professional. If anyone is self-isolated, take the necessary precautions before sanitizing or disinfecting the house.
For more information, one can visit the government website or call the government authorities, which provide the basic services and necessary information regarding the virus and its spread worldwide. There are even different apps that will help people be safe such as MyGate, the best features of this app are mostly temperature and mask checks containment zone identification, while it is also linked to Aarogya Setu, which even identifies the contamination areas. During the home isolation, one should also check the variant and inform the government officials regarding the same so that they can also sanitize the nearby areas for better protection from the virus, not only to you but also to your near and dear ones as this is termed as an airborne virus and the spread of the same is at a massive scale.