Where once disinfecting was just the right thing to do to keep a clean home, for many living through the COVID-19 Pandemic it has become a matter of life and death.
Disinfecting does not just mean cleaning, but rather to kill the germs—viruses and bacteria—which can cause infections.
Misconception 1: Soap Disinfects
Your average soap does not kill viruses and bacteria. Soap works by breaking up gross stuff on your hands or a surface, bonding with it, and washing it away with water. It is a reliable way to clean your hands—in fact, it’s recommended over hand sanitizer for staying healthy—but shouldn’t be used for disinfecting surfaces that can’t easily be rinsed.
The exception to this myth is antiseptic soap. It’s not necessary to use this type of soap for general handwashing, but in special cases where infection cannot be risked, this type of soap can also kill viruses and bacteria on your hands, not just wash it away.
Misconception 2: Just Wiping Things Down with Disinfectant Means Viruses Are Dead
Just wiping things down with a cleaning wipe does not mean the viruses are dead. You must wait for the product to dry completely before you can consider the surface disinfected. This may be difficult to tell on slick surfaces, like the outsides of bathroom fixtures, so make sure you give it adequate time to air dry.
Misconception 3: Natural Products Can Disinfect
Natural products are great. White vinegar really can lift stains and crust on grime like a charm. Citrus cuts through grease and leaves items brighter. But natural products often do not contain the types of solutions that actually kill viruses and bacteria, such as:
- Ethyl alcohol
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Benzalkonium Chloride
- Bleach
Natural products have their place in everyday casual cleaning, but if there is a danger of a serious infection it is important to eradicate it with appropriate disinfecting products.
At HouseMaids, we offer multiple cleaning solutions that can disinfect your most-touched surfaces. If you’re looking for weekly services or even an emergency clean up, HouseMaids can help disinfect your home and reduce your risk of infection.
Our services can be modulated to your needs. You are welcome to make a list of what you’d like done and what path room-to-room you’d like us to work through to disinfect and clean. Especially after your first appointment, but also at any time, please let us know if there’s anything different or special you’d like done.
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