That said, disinfecting high-touch objects and surfaces — doorknobs, kitchen countertops, and the like — is another best practice to stop the spread of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses like the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As the 2020-21 flu season begins, you may feel increasingly motivated to go on the offensive against germs. It’s important to realize that cleaning and disinfecting are not one and the same, says Susan Donelan, MD, the medical director of healthcare epidemiology at Stony Brook Medicine in New York. “Cleaning is removing as much visible dirt and material as possible. Cleaning gets rid of the debris and any impurities that are on the surface of whatever it is that you’re looking to disinfect,” she says. Disinfection usually is a chemical-based process intended to kill germs, says Dr. Donelan, adding, “Cleaning makes the disinfection process more efficient and effective.” You likely have questions about specifics, starting with the best way to clean your hands (is sanitizer better than soap and water?). You may also be wondering, how often do you need to clean your cell phone and what’s the best way to do it? Do you really need to worry about your shoes tracking the coronavirus into your house? How should you disinfect the bedding of someone who is sick with COVID-19 or the flu? Experts offer the answers to these and other urgent questions here.
How to Maintain Proper Hand-Washing and Hygiene
How Many Germs Are on Your Hands?
Your hands are covered with germs, but most don’t cause illness. Healthcare workers may carry an estimated five million bacteria on each hand, according to Harvard Men’s Health Watch.
How Frequently Should You Wash Your Hands?
How often you need to wash your hands depends on how much contact you have with other people and common high-touch surfaces, and also where you live, says Anne Liu, MD, an immunologist and infectious disease doctor and a clinical associate professor at Stanford Medicine in Palo Alto, California. “If you’re home by yourself and you’re not going in and out, or you’re not around other people, then continue to wash your hands however you normally would. If you work at a hospital, supermarket, or a day care, you would want to wash your hands very often,” says Dr. Liu.
When Should You Wash Your Hands?
Frequent hand-washing prevents the spread of germs and illnesses. The CDC recommends hand-washing before or after the following activities:
Before, during, and after preparing foodBefore eatingBefore and after taking care of someone who is sick, especially if they’re vomiting or have diarrheaBefore and after treating a wound or cutAfter using the toiletAfter changing diapers or cleaning up a child or person who has used the toiletAfter blowing your nose, sneezing, or coughingAfter touching a pet or other animal, or animal fecesAfter touching pet food or pet treatsAfter touching garbage
During the pandemic, the CDC also recommends washing your hands:
After you’ve been in a public place and touched things that may be frequently touched by other people, such as door handles, gas pumps, and shopping cartsBefore touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, since this can be a way the coronavirus enters the body
RELATED: Flu Season Tips for Washing Your Hands
What Are the Best Products to Use for Hand-Washing?
A good old-fashioned soap-and-water wash is the best way to get rid of germs on your hands, with at least 20 seconds of scrubbing after you lather up, according to the CDC. Adds Liu, “Hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol is often more convenient and is very effective for those situations where you don’t have the time or access to a sink and soap and water.” RELATED: Should You DIY Hand Sanitizer? Health Experts Weigh In
How to Maintain Proper Cell Phone Hygiene
How Dirty Is Your Cell Phone?
According to research out of the University of Arizona, cell phones can carry 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats.
How Many Germs Are on Your Cell Phone?
The number of germs on any given phone can vary, but a study published June 2017 in the journal Germs found more than 17,000 bacterial gene copies on the cell phones of high school students.
How Frequently Should You Wipe Down Your Cell Phone?
The American Cleaning Institute (ACI), a trade group that represents product manufacturers, recommends wiping down your phone at least once a day.
How Long Can Germs Live on Your Cell Phone?
Answers vary. Influenza A and B viruses survive 24 to 48 hours on hard, nonporous surfaces such as stainless steel or plastic, according to a study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. An article published April 2020 in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the coronavirus could remain active on plastic and stainless steel surfaces for two to three days.
When Should You Wash Your Cell Phone?
Clean your phone at least once a day as a preventive measure, recommends the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Try to keep your phone in your pocket, purse, or car when you go out; if you need to pull it out, wash or sanitize your hands before and after, and wipe down your phone when you return home.
What Are the Best Products to Use for Cleaning Your Cell Phone?
Most electronics, including cell phones, provide cleaning instructions with the phone. If you’ve thrown these materials out, look for info on the manufacturer’s website.
If you can keep your phone in a wipeable cover, that’s always a good choice and can make it easier to clean, says Donelan.If you can’t find the manufacturer’s instructions, use an alcohol-based wipe or spray (spray onto a cloth rather than directly onto the phone) to disinfect touchscreens, according to the CDC. Make sure the wipe or spray contains at least 70 percent alcohol.The FCC advises against cleaning your phone with products that contain bleach or abrasives.
How to Clean Your Clothing Properly
How Frequently Should You Wash Your Clothing?
There’s no hard-and-fast rule, but if you’ve been out and about, especially if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or another viral illness, it’s a good idea to launder your clothes afterward, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
How Long Can Germs Live on Your Clothing?
Soft, porous surfaces such as fabric are more likely to trap germs — making it less likely they’ll transfer to your hands or other surfaces. Paper and cardboard are also considered porous, and the aforementioned article in the New England Journal of Medicine found that 90 percent of the novel coronavirus dies within an hour on that material.
What Are the Best Products to Use for Washing Your Clothes?
Standard laundry detergent will rid your clothes of any germs, according to the Cleveland Clinic.Bleach isn’t necessary.If you have sensitive skin or allergies, find a product that is hypoallergenic, suggests Donelan.
How to Clean and Disinfect Your Shoes
Only one small study, published in Emerging Infectious Diseases in July 2020, found that the coronavirus can be carried on shoes, but even then, a person would have to touch the bottom of their shoe with their hands while the virus was still viable (able to cause infection), according to the Cleveland Clinic.
How Frequently Should You Wash Your Shoes?
You really only need to wash your shoes when they are soiled, says Donelan.
How Long Can Germs Live on Your Shoes?
The study that looked at coronavirus contamination of shoes didn’t measure the amount of the virus that was viable or how long that viability lasted. To be safe, if you have to touch the bottoms of your shoes to remove them or if you do it accidentally, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
When Should You Wash Your Shoes?
You may want to wash shoes if they have a bad odor or have mud or debris on them, says Donelan. In that case, use a hose or cleaning tool to get any loose dirt off before you put them in the washing machine (once you check the cleaning information on the manufacturer’s website — some shoes shouldn’t go into the washing machine).
Is It Unsanitary to Wear Shoes in the House?
Research has shown that bacteria such as E. coli can be tracked into your home. A study published in Anaerobe found that shoe bottoms had a high concentration of germs. Taking your shoes off can reduce the likelihood of bringing bacteria indoors, according to the University of Utah Health.
What Are the Best Products to Use for Cleaning Your Shoes?
Many shoes that are made mostly of fabric can be put into the washing machine, says Donelan. Look at the shoe manufacturer’s website for instructions on how to best clean your shoes.
Antibacterial wipes can be used to clean the bottoms of your shoes.Antibacterial spray or solution can be used on the bottoms of your shoes.Read the instructions on the bottle to find out how long to leave the solution on any surface, including shoe bottoms, before wiping it off with a dry cloth. “You want to give the solution time to kill the virus or bacteria,” says Donelan.
How to Best Sanitize Doorknobs and Handles
How Frequently Should You Wipe Down Your Doorknobs?
Surfaces such as doorknobs that are frequently touched by many people should be cleaned and disinfected at least daily, according to the CDC.
How Long Can Germs Live on Your Doorknobs?
Different germs last different lengths of time. The flu virus typically lasts on hard surfaces for 24 to 48 hours according to a study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The coronavirus can last up to five days on a metal doorknob or handle, two to three days on plastic, and two to three days on stainless steel, according to the New England Journal of Medicine.
What Are the Best Products to Use for Wiping Your Doorknobs?
Antibacterial wipes or sprays are good for cleaning high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, says Donelan. Read the label to know how long the product needs to “dwell” or remain on the doorknob before you wipe it off.Alcohol solutions used to clean doorknobs should have at least 70 percent alcohol content.Diluted household bleach solutions are an option. The CDC suggests a ratio of ⅓ cup of bleach (containing 5.25 percent to 8.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water. Don’t use the solution after 24 hours because it becomes unstable and may not be effective. Again, make sure you let the solution remain on the doorknob for at least 1 minute.Visit the website of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a comprehensive guide to coronavirus disinfectants.
How to Deep Clean Your Bedsheets and Comforters
Here’s some reassurance: You don’t need to be as concerned about soft surfaces like fabrics as much as hard, high-touch surfaces, says Liu. “The virus doesn’t survive that long on fabrics,” she says. To find out the best way to clean your bedsheets and comforters, follow the instructions on the tags. If those have been removed, go to the manufacturer’s website, says Donelan. If the sheets or blankets have something on them (vomit, for example), make sure you wear gloves when handling them, and scrape or rinse off any gunk before placing things in the wash, Donelan says. “Don’t shake the laundry of a sick person,” she adds.
How Frequently Should You Wash Your Bedding?
Bedsheets should be washed at least every two weeks, and more if you sweat a lot during the night, according the American Cleaning Institute (ACI).
How Long Can Germs Live on Your Bedding?
Most germs can live on fabric for only about 8 to 12 hours, according to a study published in PLoS One. The coronavirus was detectable on fabric from up to two days (although that doesn’t mean it was viable, or able to infect someone), according to Hackensack Meridian Health.
What Are the Best Products to Use for Washing Your Bedding?
Standard laundry detergent is the best way to wash bedding that can go into the washing machine, says Donelan.Wash your bedding at the highest temperature that the instructions allow and dry items completely, says the CDC.If bedding can’t go in a dryer, hang it outside on a clothesline or drape it over chairs to dry, suggests Donelan.
How to Disinfect Your Food and Kitchen and Maintain Proper Hygiene
For disinfecting counters and other kitchen surfaces, the EPA provides a useful infographic on how to use products effectively and safely.
How Often Should You Clean Your Kitchen?
The high-touch surfaces in your kitchen such as light switches, door handles, refrigerator handles, and kitchen counters should be cleaned daily, according to the CDC.
What Is the Dirtiest Part of Your Kitchen?
The kitchen sink, countertop, and sponge have the greatest concentrations of the bacteria E. coli, according to a study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology.
What Are the Best Products to Use for Cleaning Your Kitchen?
Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting kitchen surfaces and discard the gloves after each cleaning, says Donelan. First, use detergent or soap and water to clean any food particles or dust from the surface that you want to disinfect.Antibacterial sprays are good for cleaning countertops and sinks. Read the label to find out how long the product needs to remain on a surface before you wipe it off, according to the CDC.Alcohol solutions used to clean kitchen areas should have at least 70 percent alcohol content.Diluted household unscented bleach solutions are an option. The CDC suggests a ratio of ⅓ cup of bleach (containing 5.25 percent to 8.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water. Don’t use the solution after 24 hours.Don’t use any bleach solution on food.Visit the website of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a comprehensive guide to products for use against the coronavirus.
What Are the Best Products to Use for Cleaning Your Food and Groceries?
There is no evidence of food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
If you want to wipe off packaging, use an antibacterial wipe, or spray an antibacterial solution onto a clean cloth.Rinse fruits and vegetables under running tap water.Clean the lids of canned goods before opening, says the FDA.
RELATED: Food Container Safety and COVID-19: A Guide for Handling Groceries and Takeout
How to Disinfect Your Bathroom and Maintain Proper Hygiene
How Often Should You Clean Your Bathroom?
Disinfect bathroom floors and toilet flush handles three times a week, according to North Dakota State University. Deep clean and disinfect toilet bowls and bathroom countertops, showers, and tubs weekly.
What Is the Dirtiest Part of Your Bathroom?
A study conducted by the public health organization NSF International tested six different bathroom surfaces, including toilet seats, and found that the spot with the most germs was the toothbrush holder.
What Are the Best Products to Use for Cleaning Your Bathroom?
Antibacterial sprays are good for cleaning countertops and sinks. Read the label to learn how long the product needs to remain on a surface before you wipe it off, per the CDC.If you use an alcohol solution to clean the bathroom, make sure it has at least 70 percent alcohol content.Diluted household unscented bleach solutions can be used to clean bathroom areas. The CDC suggests a ratio of ⅓ cup bleach (containing 5.25 percent to 8.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water. Don’t use the solution after 24 hours, and make sure you let the solution remain on the area you want to disinfect for at least 1 minute before you wipe it away.Visit the website of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make sure the bathroom cleaning product you are using is effective against the coronavirus.
RELATED: Can You Get the Coronavirus From a Public Bathroom?
How to Deep Clean Your Towels
How Frequently Should You Wash Your Towels?
Use the sniff test: If a towel doesn’t smell good, you should throw it in the wash, states the Cleveland Clinic. As a rule, wash towels at least once a week and more frequently if you live in a humid climate or if you’re sick.
What Are the Best Products to Use for Washing Your Towels?
Standard laundry detergent is appropriate for washing towels.Follow the instructions on the care label of the towel, says Donelan.Wash the towels in the warmest temperature that is recommended and make sure you dry them thoroughly, she advises.
How to Clean and Disinfect Your Home Office or Work Space
How Often Should You Clean Your Office Space?
The CDC has issued guidelines on cleaning and disinfecting work areas, but you may not want to depend on them entirely, says Liu. “If you’re in a workplace where people are sharing phones, computers, and keyboards, I think it’s advisable to wipe down those things before using them with an antibacterial wipe or a cleaning solution that’s safe for electronics and appliances,” she says. High-touch surfaces should be cleaned at least once a day, according to the CDC.
What Are the Best Products to Use for Cleaning Your Office?
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfecting products.A product containing 70 percent alcohol is best for cleaning computers. Avoid using household cleaners that contain bleach, peroxides, acetone, or ammonia, which could damage your computer, according to the University of Maryland Medical System.Consult the EPA’s list for products approved to kill the coronavirus.Be sure to leave the product on as long as it takes to kill the virus — read the product labeling, as these times can vary.
RELATED: Life After Lockdown: COVID-19 Safety Tips for Offices, Restaurants, and Hair Salons
How to Clean and Disinfect Your Car
How to Best Disinfect Your Steering Wheel and Console
Your steering wheel and the plastic parts of your console that are nonporous can be cleaned with any product from the EPA’s list of antimicrobial products for use against the coronavirus. Look at the owner’s manual of your car for instructions on the best method for applying the cleaner, and look at the product’s label for recommended contact time before wiping off, suggests the CDC.
How Often Should You Clean Your Car?
If only you or members of your household use your car and no one is sick, then you can clean your car about as often as you would areas of your house — about once a week. If you use your car to transport people outside your home, or if you are a ride share driver, you should clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces in the car at the beginning and end of each ride or shift. If you’ve given a ride to a person who appears ill, you should open all doors and windows after the ride and clean and disinfect the vehicle, according to the CDC.
What Are the Best Products to Use for Cleaning Your Car?
Most parts of the interior of your car can be disinfected to rid the area of coronavirus with an alcohol solution that contains at least 70 percent alcohol, according to Consumer Reports.Don’t use bleach solution or hydrogen peroxide on the inside of your car, because it can damage the upholstery.Most leather seats in cars have a protective product on top of the leather that makes it OK to wash them with an alcohol-based cleaner, but don’t overuse it. Applying a leather cleaner or conditioner afterward can help, according to Consumer Reports.For fabric seats, soap (but not too much soap — it can be hard to get rid of excess suds) and water will be sufficient to clean the area, according to Consumer Reports.Most car seats, booster seats, and seat belts can’t be disinfected, but they can be cleaned with mild detergent and water, according to HealthyChildren.org.Clean screens with wipes or a cleaning solution that is safe for electronics.
How to Clean and Disinfect Your Baby’s Nursery
A good rule of thumb is to avoid putting things into a baby’s room if you aren’t sure how you would clean it if it got dirty, says Donelan.
How Often Should You Clean Your Baby’s Nursery?
You may have to wash the bedding in a nursery more often because of mishaps such as spit-up or a leaky diaper. Make sure you rid the sheet of any bodily fluids before you put it in the washing machine, says Donelan. “For the most part, you would wash the bedding the same way you would adult bedding. If your child has allergies or sensitive skin, you may want to use a product specifically made for babies,” she says. Taking shoes off before entering the nursery (or most anywhere around your house where your baby might crawl) can help reduce the volume of germs on the floor, according to research published in the June 2014 issue of Anaerobe. Favorite toys that your child plays with every day should be cleaned once a week or more often if the item is visibly dirty, according to UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. If your child is ill or any child with an illness has been playing with the toys, they should be cleaned immediately afterward. High-touch areas such as light switches and doorknobs should be washed daily, just as in other areas of the house.
What Are the Best Products to Use for Cleaning the Nursery?
Most things that go into a baby’s room come with cleaning instructions, whether it’s a soft toy, a teething toy, or furniture and bedding, says Donelan.Although household bleach solutions can be used for hard surfaces in the baby’s nursery, note that bleach can irritate the lungs and damage skin, eyes, and clothing, according to the California Environmental Protection Agency. Take care in mixing the solution — wear protective gloves and eyewear. The CDC suggests a ratio of ⅓ cup of bleach (containing 5.25 percent to 8.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water. Don’t use the solution after 24 hours because it becomes unstable and may not be effective.Diluted bleach is also a choice for disinfecting washable, nonporous toys (made of materials that don’t stain), according to UT Southwestern Medical Center. After cleaning the toy of excess dirt, soak it in the bleach solution for five minutes. Rinse with water afterward and let dry fully before returning it to the nursery.Board books and wooden blocks shouldn’t be submerged in bleach solution or water, ever. Wipe these with an alcohol-based spray or wipe, UT Southwestern Medical Center says.
How to Wipe and Disinfect Your Remote Control
How Often Should You Clean Your Remote Controls?
If different people handle the remote control throughout the day, it should be cleaned several times a day, according to the University of Maryland Health System.
What Are the Best Products to Use to Wipe Down Your Remote Control?
Consult the EPA’s list of approved products.If you use a bleach solution, make sure to wipe the remote with a damp cloth afterward.If you opt for bleach- or alcohol-based wipes, the solutions should contain at least 70 percent alcohol.Wipe the remote with cleaning solution rather then spraying it directly.If you are unsure if a product is safe to use when cleaning your remote, look at the owner’s guide or the product website.A can of compressed air or a toothpick can help remove debris from crevices, suggests Consumer Reports.
How to Clean Backpacks
When not in use, backpacks often end up sitting on the floor or on a bench next to us — both areas that can harbor viruses and other germs. Dedicating a space in your house or room for backpacks, coats, and purses can help reduce the risk of spreading infectious microbes to other areas of your home, according to Carle Health System.
How Often Should You Clean a Backpack?
There’s no hard-and-fast rule, but the more you use it, the more often you should wash or clean it. Spot clean your backpack with gentle detergent if it looks soiled. Washing or sanitizing your hands after removing or placing items in your backpack is a good practice for preventing coronavirus infection.
Can You Put a Backpack in the Washing Machine?
Most soft items have labels with laundering instructions, but backpacks may not, says Donelan. “Go to the product website and see if they have any instructions there,” she suggests. Most soft items can handle going into a laundry or washing machine. Try to use the warmest possible water that’s allowed for that product, says Donelan. If you do wash your backpack in the washing machine, follow the product instructions on drying — many backpacks should be air-dried and not be placed in the dryer.
What Are the Best Products to Use for Cleaning Your Backpack?
For machine-washable backpacks, a standard laundry detergent is the best option.For nonwashable backpacks, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on safe ways to clean your bag.
How to Properly Disinfect Your Personal Space on Airplanes
If you travel on an airplane, remember that social distancing (when possible), a mask, and hand hygiene are the most important measures for protecting yourself against the coronavirus, says Liu. “You don’t want to be focused on cleaning everything around you, but then be wearing your mask incorrectly,” she says. Before your trip, visit the airline’s website. The company will have detailed information about how airline personnel are cleaning and disinfecting the cabin.
How to Disinfect Your Airplane Seat
Any nonporous (not fabric) surfaces such as the seat, armrests, seat belts, touchscreens, and light and air controls can be disinfected with any of the EPA’s registered antimicrobial products for use against COVID-19, such as alcohol-based wipes or solutions that are at least 70 percent alcohol, according to the CDC. If the seat is fabric and visibly soiled or dirty, ask a flight attendant for assistance; they will have access to the appropriate cleaning solutions or may even place you in a different seat.
How to Disinfect Your Airplane Tray
Airline trays are nonporous and can be disinfected with the appropriate EPA-recommended product. Make sure you leave the disinfecting product on the tray surface for the amount of time recommended on the label.
What Are the Best Products to Disinfect Airplane Seats and Trays?
Antibacterial wipes that are at least 70 percent alcohol, or a diluted bleach solution, can be used to disinfect the airplane seat if it is nonporous (vinyl, for example).Donelan suggests using “homemade” bacterial wipes if you don’t have access to prepackaged wipes. “You can use sturdy paper towels that have been placed in a diluted bleach or alcohol solution. Keep the wipes in a baggie for use on trip, and remember, bleach solutions don’t last longer than 24 hours,” she says.Clean touchscreens with an alcohol-based wipe or recommended EPA product.
RELATED: 7 Tips for Traveling During the COVID-19 Pandemic
How to Clean and Disinfect General Porous Surfaces
Porous surfaces are soft and include things like carpet, rugs, or fabric such as soft toys or chair material. Read the product labeling and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning. If the tag is removed or you’ve thrown away the instructions, visit the company’s website for info. Machine wash the item if the manufacturer’s instructions state that it is safe to do so. Wash the item in the warmest allowable setting and dry the item completely, according to the CDC.
What Are the Best Products to Use for Cleaning Porous Surfaces?
For items that can be laundered, standard laundry detergent is suitable.For other items and surfaces, use a product that is EPA-approved to use against the coronavirus, according to the CDC.
How to Clean and Disinfect General Nonporous Surfaces
Nonporous surfaces are hard and include things like glass, plastic, and metal. Wear protective gloves and eye protection when cleaning and disinfecting, and read the label of the product you are using to make sure it’s safe and appropriate for the surface. If the surface is dirty, clean it before you begin the disinfecting process, advises the CDC. Be mindful of contact time — the amount of time you should leave the cleaning solution on before wiping it dry. When it comes to disinfecting products, more is not better. Don’t mix different kinds of cleaning solutions, because it can be dangerous and create toxic fumes, says Donelan.
What Are the Best Products to Use for Cleaning Nonporous Surfaces?
Diluted household bleach solutions will work if indicated on the manufacturer’s instructions. Use bleach containing 5.25 percent to 8.25 percent sodium hypochlorite; avoid using a bleach product if the percentage is not in this range or isn’t listed.A bleach solution can be made with ⅓ cup of bleach per gallon of water or 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water.Bleach solutions will be effective for disinfection up to 24 hours.Alcohol solutions with at least 70 percent alcohol may also be used.Open windows or doors to ensure proper ventilation during and after disinfecting.
