We’ve all heard about the importance of washing your hands for at least 20 seconds and staying six feet away from others to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, but we haven’t always heard as much about how to properly disinfect our houses. With recommendations to stay at home being implemented across the county, taking the time to deep clean your home is now more important than ever. But, what products are best for tackling the virus? What items in your home require the most attention and scrubbing?

Here are some valuable tips for cleaning your home during the coronavirus pandemic:

Use Appropriate Cleaners

Cleaning and disinfecting are actually two different things. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should clean items and surfaces using soap and water before using a disinfectant. Many people use a daily cleaner, instead,  and then follow it up with the disinfectant. Either way, it’s important to carefully read the label on disinfectants, as you are often directed to leave the disinfecting solution on the surface for a certain length of time. After you wipe down the solution, let the surface air dry.

The CDC recommends EPA-registered household disinfectants (like Lysol and Clorox branded cleaners) or alcohol solutions containing 70% alcohol or more. You can also mix your own bleach solution using 1/3rd cup of bleach per gallon of water or 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water. If possible, it is suggested to wear gloves when disinfecting your home. Always wash your hands after wearing gloves and use a fresh pair each time that you clean. 

Clean High Contact Areas Most Often

As of now, it is believed that the new coronavirus, Covid-19, can live on plastic and stainless steel for 72 hours and copper for 4 hours. While the amount of actual virus on these surfaces after a few days is low, it’s still important to keep those germs at bay.

It’s easy to forget to clean light switches and door knobs, but these “high contact” surfaces tend to carry the most germs. The CDC also recommends routinely cleaning toilet levers, sink faucets, cabinet handles, remote controls, keyboards, and tables. Electronics, too, can become heavy sources of germs. Potentially the biggest culprit? Your cellphone. Don’t forget to wipe your mobile device down with a disinfectant wipe or other safe choice. You can also do the same for your computers or tablets. 

Take Special Care with Your Soft Surfaces

If you have carpeted areas or soft window treatments, you might want to consider washing curtains or using carpet cleaners much more frequently. Other soft items in your home, like blankets and even the couch, should also be appropriately cleaned. When doing laundry, be sure to use the warmest water setting that is still safe for your items. If a person is ill in your home, then you should consider wearing gloves while handling his or her laundry. 

Sweep and Mop Regularly

The CDC says that regularly sweeping and mopping your floors, especially through the use of a wet mop, can help reduce the spread of the new coronavirus within your home. Just make sure that your floor cleaner is compatible with your floor type. If you have carpet, you’ll want to vacuum each day, as well. 

Shoes easily track germs into the house. If at all possible, encourage household members to leave their outdoor shoes at the door. You should also disinfect shoes by washing them in the washing machine, if appropriate, or using a color safe bleach solution. Avoid damaging the shoes by skipping the dryer and letting the pair air dry afterward. 

Clean Your Walls and Windows

Walls and windows don’t always make the top of cleaning lists, but wiping down walls and polishing plantation shutters are other important home cleaning tasks. How can you clean plantation shutters? Avoid using soap and water on wood (this can damage the material). Instead, use a microfiber cloth and wood safe furniture polish. You can also use a vacuum attachment to help get rid of dust. 

Safe at Home

Cleaning due to a pandemic feels more stressful than basic cleaning, but using appropriate cleaners and following the suggestions of organizations like the CDC will leave you feeling safer and more comfortable during your time at home. Plus, a fresh, clean home is simply a more enjoyable place to be. 

Preparing for the Future

Shenandoah Shutters has been handcrafting custom made, all wood plantation shutters in Richmond since 1990. We serve Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. 

Plantation shutters are a popular choice for homeowners. In fact, plantation shutters actually increase the resale value of your home. If you’ve been hoping to upgrade your home, or even plan to sell, plantation shutters can make a positive difference for your house. 

The beautiful light control provided by plantation shutters is simply unmatched by any other window treatment. The stains, creams, and colors available for our plantation shutters adds another layer of beauty to your window treatment. We even hand finish each shutter with a silken, lacquer finish that perfectly coordinates with your existing wooden furnishings. 

Worried about an oddly shaped window? At Shenandoah Shutters, we can craft plantation shutters to fit windows of any size or shape. You can install plantation shutters on French doors, sunbursts, sliding glass doors, and arches. You can also choose from traditional and contemporary plantation shutter designs. We even created our own, patented Softedge design that hides the hinges, for a more modern look. Plantation shutters never go out of style. 

Shenandoah Shutters is committed to customer service and quality craftsmanship. That’s why we’re proud to offer a 100-year limited warranty on our plantation shutters and a 25-year warranty on our lacquer finish. We want your plantation shutters to be an investment that you’ll treasure for years to come. Contact us today for more information on our plantation shutters. You can also explore our online photo gallery and get to know our products.