Actuality

Three tips for cleaning and disinfecting your home and making it a safe place

The last (and future) weeks will most likely be remembered as the most homemade in history. By the way, the hashtag #ficaemcasa started circulating on the internet, a simple but very clear message, which is now part of the lives of millions of people around the world, as a way of fighting the expansion of the coronavirus. Now, and more than ever, it will be essential to make the home a safe and suitable place, able to receive us in the best way until the times of alert and emergency are over. The professional portal Prontopro.es shared three fundamental tips for cleaning and disinfecting spaces.

Choosing the right products

Disposable products, such as paper, can be used, accompanied by equipment capable of emitting steam, since the thermal shock allows the total elimination of pathogens. But chemicals are also suitable for cleaning environments, and the choice of the right detergent depends on the type of dirt: to remove lime, for example, products based on hydrochloric acid must be used; for fatty residues it is advisable to use a products such as bleach or degreaser. Avoid mixing the two product categories, as there is a risk of poisoning.
Finally, "grandmother's remedies", which are also always useful, in addition to having a low environmental impact. They include the use of substances such as vinegar, citric acid or bicarbonate for dirt removal operations. You can also use boiled water, above 70º C, to eliminate all pathogens.
To finish cleaning the surfaces, it is recommended to use a disinfectant such as alcohol (at least 75%) and let it act on the surfaces for at least 60 seconds. Finally, rinse the surfaces well with water to avoid the risk of chemical contamination by contact or inhalation of disinfectant products.


Fabrics
Experts advise washing the machine at a temperature of at least 60 to 70 degrees to ensure the virus is eliminated. If it is not possible to wash everything at high temperatures, you can, for example, add hydrogen peroxide to the normal detergent.
For fabrics and upholstery that cannot be washed in the machine, we recommend the use of steam equipment and vacuum cleaners equipped with a HEPA filter, that is, capable of filtering even the smallest particles.


Cleaning frequency
It is advisable to carry out these practices daily. The last piece of advice is to follow the main indications suggested by the WHO: use ethanol (alcohol) with at least a 75% concentration or chlorine products (common bleach).


Source: Idealista