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After the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic, we are now more self-aware of interactions with others and the environment. Likewise, for health reasons, you must always clean your apartment to ensure viruses and microorganisms aren’t infecting your space. This involves knowing how to disinfect apartments.
Read on to learn more about disinfecting apartments, using apartment living disinfection checklists, cleaning products, and apartment cleaning tips. In addition, you can find out how cleaning companies can help. Read on!
The Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfection
Cleaning is the process of washing or wiping surfaces to rid them of dirt or grime. Although the process may succeed in removing germs, it does not kill them. Disinfection, however, uses chemicals to kill germs in apartment living spaces. The process kills the bacteria but may not make the space look clean.
Since some germs and viruses can live on surfaces for several days, you should regularly disinfect and sanitize your apartment. You’ll not only keep your apartment safe from bacteria and viruses, but you will also stop them from spreading.
Using an Apartment Living Disinfection Checklist
Consider varying things when it comes to sanitizing and disinfecting your apartment. The process goes beyond wiping down kitchen countertops and bathroom surfaces occasionally. You have to think about things you touch in your everyday apartment living.
In other words, you should regularly disinfect high-touch areas such as keypads, handles, doorknobs, light switches, and stair rails. Similarly, you must habitually use anti-bacterial wipes and sanitize and disinfect your hands.
Apartment Cleaning Products
Before you clean your apartment, you should realize the importance of using the right cleaning product for every surface and object. Additionally, you should know how to utilize these cleaning products safely.
Disinfectant wipes and sprays
Get disinfectant wipes or sprays with a minimum of 70 percent alcohol. You may go for brands such as Clorox or Lysol.
Bleach
You can utilize bleach to clean and disinfect your countertops, tile floors, sinks, and toilets. Importantly, you should not mix bleach with any other cleaning product besides water. Remember to put on gloves and wear a mask when using bleach. Likewise, make sure your apartment is well-ventilated.
Soap and water
You can find recommendations like the use of alcohol-based products, soap, and water for cleaning and disinfecting on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Soap and hot water can help kill Coronavirus, and you can make it an item in your apartment cleaning products list.
How to Disinfect Your Apartment
Now that you have made sure of your cleaning supplies, you can get down to the nitty-gritty of disinfecting your apartment.
Washing your hands
Washing your hands may seem like an obvious tip, but it’s always important. Always wash your hands after doing laundry, the dishes, cleaning, or disinfecting.
Disinfect cell phones and tablets
You can use Clorox sanitizing wipes to disinfect your phone, tablet, and keyboard at least once daily. However, avoid using bleach or getting liquid into the openings.
Clean remotes and controllers
It is essential to clean your remotes or gaming consoles daily with a disinfectant wipe.
Disinfect light switches, doorknobs, and toilet handles
Household features like doorknobs and light switches should be disinfected daily. They are among the most used household features in apartment living.
Do proper laundry
Washing your hands after doing dirty laundry is a necessary precaution. Also, you can wash your clothing at the warmest temperature to reduce the chances of spreading germs. Furthermore, wipe down your washing and drying machine handles after washing.
Wipe countertops and hard surfaces
According to the CDC, you should clean your countertops with soap and water and then wipe them with a disinfectant. In fact, you should use disinfectant wipes, soap, water, or bleach to wipe down your countertops multiple times daily. After cleaning with hot, soapy water, you can use bleach solutions to sanitize countertop surfaces and the inner sink.
Clean, soft surfaces
You can make use of a soap and water solution to clean your carpet, rugs, and drapes. Alternatively, you can launder them utilizing a cleaning service.
Clean packages
Some viruses can remain on cardboard packages, plastic, and stainless steel for two days or more. Consequently, wiping down packages from your online shopping would be best. Another precaution is washing your hands after disposing of the wipes.
Clean apartment floors
You can begin by vacuuming or sweeping your apartment floor. After that, use hot water and soap or an appropriate cleaning product to mop the floor. You can do the cleaning daily or a few times a week.
Cleaning Tips for Your Apartment
Read on for some cleaning tips to help you deep-clean your apartment:
- It is better to clean surfaces before you sanitize or disinfect them.
- Use soap and water when cleaning surfaces. You can thereafter use disinfectant spray.
- Diluted bleach solutions are effective for disinfecting “high touch” areas like light switches, doorknobs, and handles.
- Ensure to follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label of chemical disinfecting products. This includes instructions for safe use and safe disposal.
- For example, some cleaning and disinfection products can trigger health conditions such as asthma.
- Never mix bleach with ammonia or some other cleaning product.
- Household cleaners and disinfectants can also be effective as sanitizing and disinfecting products.
- Do not use dish towels to pat items dry after you safely clean them so you do not transfer germs to them.
You can remove lingering smoke smells from carpets. Vacuum and sprinkle in carpet deodorizing powder or baking soda. Let it sit for an hour, and then vacuum once more.
Tips to Deep-Clean Your Apartment
Perhaps you’re apartment hunting or about to rent an apartment. You must know how to clean your new apartment or get a cleaning company to do it for you. This will help ensure a clean and fresh environment for you.
Here are some apartment deep cleaning tips:
- Make sure you have everything you need. This includes microfiber cloths, disinfectant wipes, rubber gloves, paper towels or sponges, and baking soda.
- To clean microwaves, first, heat a mug of water on a high setting for a minute. Then use a dry cloth or paper towels to wipe the inside of the microwave.
- Place roughly one cup of white distilled vinegar on the top rack of your dishwasher. Then run a hot wash cycle and use paper towels to wipe down the inside.
- You can remove your cabinet shelves and thoroughly clean them. You must make sure there are no insect eggs.
- It’s possible to get reimbursement for carpet cleaning if you’re renting an apartment. You may ask your landlord.
- You can utilize baking soda and vinegar to clean your fridge thoroughly. It can effectively remove smells.
- It is worthwhile to clean your apartment after all items are removed.
- You should ideally wear disposable gloves and a mask while cleaning. This can protect you from chemicals in detergents and solvents.
- Remember to wash gloves thoroughly or dispose of them after cleaning.
- After removing your gloves, wash your hands thoroughly for up to 20 seconds. You can use soap and warm water.
Cleaning Companies Can Disinfect Your Apartment
Indeed, it is helpful to know how to disinfect apartments. It’s something that should be done regularly. That is why you can always refer to this guide on disinfecting apartments and deep cleaning apartments. While searching for affordable housing and pressing rent calculators, you may prefer to avoid cleaning and disinfecting.
In that case, you can leave the task to a professional cleaning and disinfecting service. They can satisfactorily answer related frequently asked questions. More importantly, they will be sure to safely clean and disinfect every inch of your apartment.