Nowadays, it’s not enough to keep our homes neat and tidy. Amid the pandemic, cleaning and disinfecting is key to our safety and protection. In fact, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that cleaning alone can already “remove most virus particles.” Taking it further by disinfecting your space can help prevent the transmission of these viruses.
That said, it is always a good idea to keep your home constantly clean for its range of health benefits, from lowering stress to preventing allergies and reducing risk of pests.
We show you how to disinfect your home in three easy steps.
Use the proper cleaning and safety equipment
It is easier to get into the habit of cleaning your home when you have all your essentials ready.
First, put together basic tools and equipment for dust-gathering: a broom and a wide dustpan, as well as a powerful vacuum cleaner.
When choosing a vacuum, assess its performance on account of its airflow, suction power, filter, and nozzle design. The addition of a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter also works wonders for reducing pollutants, irritants, and allergens such as pollen, mold spores, dust mites, and dander. This is especially beneficial if you have family members with allergies, asthma, or if you have pets.
As for the robot vacuums that have been gaining popularity over the years, investing in one can greatly help in reducing manual clean-up time. Robot vacuums automatically pick up dust and messes off floors. Moreover, most recent models come with smart features. These include Wi-fi and Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, obstacle sensors, self-emptying dust bins, and even the ability to map out your home.
Another essential is a mop for more thorough cleaning of floors and hard-to-reach surfaces, as well as for managing wet messes. Choose from microfiber mops to sponge mops, or even self-wringing models. Alternatively, you could invest in a steam mop. This is ideal for heavy-duty cleaning as it can also disinfect your home by eliminating germs and bacteria.
Finally, put together a bucket that contains all your essentials. Essential tools include: a toilet brush, absorbent towels, microfiber cloths for delicate surfaces like glass, steel wool, grout brush, and duster. A good pair of cleaning gloves and a face mask is also essential for protecting skin and preventing the inhalation of chemicals.
As for cleaning solutions, key items include but are not limited to all-purpose cleaner, detergent, dish soap, bleach-based cleaner to tackle mold and mildew, glass, oven and wood cleaners, pet stain and odor remover, and disinfectant spray.
You could of course opt for homemade cleaning aids. Baking soda and vinegar both do a good job of tackling multiple cleaning concerns.
Clean from room-to-room
It’s best to have a checklist for every room that you need to cover. So as not to get overwhelmed, tackle one area after another, and arm yourself with a checklist of tasks. Below is a sample cleaning plan, which can also serve as a guide for your household help.
Kitchen. Wipe down all appliances and surfaces, making sure to remove grime from cooktops as well as the insides of your oven and microwave. Clean the kitchen sink. Remove all expired food from the fridge. Mop and disinfect floors. Lastly, empty the trash. If your household does composting, separate organic garbage.
Bathroom. Scrub down the toilet bowl. Wipe down the bathroom mirror. Thoroughly clean the sink, faucet, as well as the shower, which can get slippery due to soap residue. Dispose of all empty bottles as well as the trash. And lastly, disinfect floors.
All living areas including bedrooms. Vacuum floors and surfaces, not to mention those unseen nooks and crannies. Dust and wipe down any fixtures and decor. Polish wood furniture. Empty all garbage cans. And lastly, mop and disinfect floors. If you have pets, clean and disinfect areas where they sleep, play, or relieve themselves such as cat litter boxes.
Last but not the least, pay special attention to disinfecting your home’s high touch areas to prevent the spread of viruses. This includes light switches, door knobs, remote controls, countertops, and tables. How can one easily disinfect these high touch surfaces? Start with soap or detergent to clean, then follow with a disinfecting solution. As always, read labels to ensure proper usage and avoid damaging any surfaces.
If all these seem overwhelming, remember you need not do all these tasks everyday. For example, deep-cleaning can be done weekly or even monthly. For every day, focus on easier tasks as well as crucial disinfecting.
Manage clutter
Cleaning up one’s home isn’t the most pleasurable of domestic activities, but it is necessary. To make the task easier for you or your household help, it pays to keep your home organized to begin with. An organized home also means dust and dirt are less likely to gather in cluttered areas.
For example, encourage young family members to tidy up after study or playtime. Get everyone into the habit of fixing their bed first thing in the morning, or putting away their dishes after mealtime. Regularly organize closets, bookshelves, and the food pantry, to name a few. If you have an excess of items to give away, always consider donating these to those who could benefit.
At the end of the day, you and your family will reap the benefits of a clean home!
When choosing a lot, picking a location with an abundance of greenery and space will inspire you to build a home that emulates the refreshing character of your environment.
The lush, provincial community of Terreno South in Batangas provides an idyllic setting for you and your family to thrive and grow. With 46 hectares of land, you are sure to find an ideal lot on which to build your very own sanctuary.
Moreover, enjoy plenty of space to live and grow with two hectares of open spaces and pocket parks, while enjoying the rich cultural heritage of Lipa City.
Terreno South is strategically located near key locales offering the creature comforts of urban living while keeping you and your family close to nature.
Contact Rockwell to learn more about investing in a pre-selling lot at Terreno South.
