Do You Live with Your Grandparents or Older Parents? Here’s How to Keep Your House Clean

Do You Live with Your Grandparents or Older Parents? Here’s How to Keep Your House Clean

Last Updated on March 24, 2020

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic reminded everyone of how to boost your immune system, how to effectively wash your hands to avoid the spread of the virus, and how to clean and disinfect homes to keep the family safe while Luzon is under an enhanced community quarantine.

During the quarantine, it is important to keep your elderly family members safe because their weakening bodies are more at risk when they go outside. Having older parents or elderly family members means you should be more proactive in keeping your home clean and disinfecting surfaces to avoid any diseases from infecting your household.

Here are some helpful tips on how to clean and disinfect your home if you live with aging parents and grandparents.

Clean and Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces

A recent study revealed that the novel coronavirus can survive on cardboard for 24 hours, and on plastic and stainless steel for two to three days. With the majority of household items made of plastic and stainless steel, it is crucial to disinfect high-touch items to prevent the virus from incubating and spreading throughout your home.

Doorknobs, faucets, kitchen and bathroom counters, tables, chairs, remote controls, game controllers, computers, light switches, toilet seats, and handles should be kept clean and disinfected at all times. Everyone in the household commonly touches these surfaces day and night, making them a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses.

Disinfect Devices and Appliances

Devices such as mobile phones, desktop and laptop computers, and household appliances are also high-touch items that need regular disinfection, especially if your elderly family members love to play on their phones or on their computers.

Using bleach and soap can destroy gadgets, so it is safe to disinfect your devices with sanitary wipes or soft tissue with alcohol to avoid any scratches or heavy damages.

Wash Clothes Every Day If Possible

The novel coronavirus may also survive on clothes for hours. Wash clothes as often as possible, especially items that have been used outside. You don’t need to change your washing habits as detergents will be able to kill any bacteria or virus in your clothes. This is enough to prevent the spread of the disease and reduce the risk of your elderly catching the virus.

Wear Masks When You Have Colds or Cough

If you have a cold, cough, or the common flu, wearing masks helps keep your surroundings clean. This reduces the risk of your family members getting infected with colds and flu. Though these are not as serious as COVID-19, their weakened immune system may still make it hard for them to recover.

Change Beddings and Pillow Cases

Change bedsheets and pillowcases every week to prevent any viruses from multiplying and incubating on the surface. These items are near your face when you sleep, and any virus they harbor might get into your respiratory system.

When washing bedding and linen, it is recommended to use detergents that can kill all bacteria and viruses while not damaging your sheets. Go with warm water since most viruses and bacteria die at high temperatures.

Wash Your Hands After Cleaning

Washing hands properly and frequently has become the most important tip in keeping the virus at bay. Even after you clean your home, you should still wash your hands to kill off any remaining microbes and any hazardous chemicals that may have stuck to your skin.

Use soap to wash your hands for 20 seconds to kill off microbes. You can sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice (or any song chorus that lasts for 20 seconds) to have a more fun hand-washing experience.

Keeping your hands clean avoids the transmission of any deadly viruses to your elderly loved ones. It also keeps your household surfaces clean and disinfected while you combat the spread of the infectious COVID-19.

This article was first published at Lamudi.com.ph