An Easy Guide to Disinfecting like a Pro During a Pandemic

COVID-19 is an invisible, global killer that is still being studied by health professionals and scientists. But many doctors agree, that while not much is known about this pandemic that has killed more than 300,000 people worldwide, staying safe requires a strong immune system and a healthy environment.

The former can be achieved through a diet that consists mainly of legumes, leafy vegetables, whole grains, seeds, fruits and nuts as well as regular exercise, drinking the right amount of water and sunlight. The latter, they say, requires social distancing, hand washing as well as keeping ourselves and our environment clean and disinfected.

But just how should we disinfect our home and what areas should we give our focus? after all, it is impossible to disinfect every part of any given area. So we place our focus on frequently-used surfaces, just as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention suggested. In our former blog, we provided a checklist to help identify those high touch surfaces. And now we will look at how to disinfect them.

Be sure to have your tools ready before entering each room: Aside from our protective gear such as gloves, masks, aprons and even shoe coverings, if necessary, these are the tools we use when we go into a home:

• Solutions: Nature Kleen's Natural All-Purpose Scrub, Nature Kleen's All-Natural Disinfectant Spray made with 190 proof grain alcohol and essential oils and Nature Kleen's All-Purpose Cleaner & Disinfectant with lavender and sweet orange essential oils.

• The cloths we prefer are: white cotton cloths, reusable paper towels and microfiber cloths in assorted colors. This is to ensure that we use different cloths for different rooms. Colored cloths tend to leave and spread residue.

• For general cleaning, a microfiber strip cloth mop for wood and tile floors.

• A vacuum with a Hepa Filter

Clean first. We clean first to remove or wash away most of the germs down the drain and to take away the protective covering under which germs hide. Use a cloth to remove the dust and dirt from furniture, fixtures and other surfaces. Scrub away grease from sinks, tubs and showers and clean the food off counters, tables and other surfaces where there is a spill or a backsplash. Sometimes a natural dish soap works best. If you use a sponge, keep it sanitized by regularly running it through the dishwasher. After completing the process of removing most of the germs through cleaning, it's time to begin disinfecting.

Time to disinfect. In order to kill germs, bacteria and viruses, you don't need to choose a product that will harm you. Buy a disinfectant that is safe and just as effective or make your own. Microfiber cloths also work great as a disinfecting tool. They pick up many microscopic materials, unlike many cotton towels. They are also positively charged, which means they are like magnets to dust and microorganisms. According to independent studies published by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, extremely fine (.37 micrometer diameter) microfiber can remove up to 98 percent of bacteria and 93 percent of viruses from a surface using only water and no chemicals; while traditional cotton fibers can only remove 30 percent of the bacteria and 23 percent of the viruses from a contaminated surface. This is why it's an essential tool for disinfecting high touch surfaces. So, let's get started.

Living Room & Dining Room

Put away toys, shoes and other objects that are often left in these areas. Spray upholstery with Nature Kleen's All-Natural Disinfectant Spray or make your own natural disinfectant spray, then leave the upholstery in a clean, dry and sunny place while you continue to clean.

Dust as usual, focusing on picture frames, ceiling fans and tables. Use Nature Kleen's All-Natural Disinfectant Spray and a clean microfiber cloth to wipe down frequently-touched areas as provided in the checklist such as game soles, tv remotes and door handles. Spray directly onto the cloth to clean electronics. A little water and a microfiber cloth works fine for wood surfaces. Make sure the microfiber cloth is only slightly damped.

Vacuum large upholstered furnishings with attachment that has been disinfected, then vacuum the carpet and floor. Clean the floor with a mop that has a microfiber mop head and your regular solution or Nature Kleen's All-Purpose Cleaner & Disinfect Cleaner. Just a 1/4 cup of our cleaner in a gallon bucket of hot water works well on wood as well as tile floors. Whether you use our solution or your own, be sure to use our switch-bucket system. The switch bucket system is simply having one bucket with rinsing water for the mop head and the other for the cleaning solution. Each time before you mop, rinse out the mop head in the rinsing water before dipping it into the cleaning solution so you're not mopping the floor with dirty water.

Kitchens

Remove small rugs and, if possible, wash them according to label instructions. You can also add to the water a few drops of essential oil such as tea tree, peppermint or lavender, which have antibacterial, anti fungal and antiviral properties. If the mat is not washable, spray and wipe the surface with Nature Kleen's All-Purpose Cleaner & Disinfectant Spray.

Empty trashcan, wash can with hot water and a drop of natural dish soap. If there is a buildup of grime in the trashcan, leave the water to sit for a few minutes or until you're finished cleaning and then rinse and dry the can. To prevent any further buildup, add a liner to the trash can and a few drops of citrus essential oil to the liner, the scent will add a sweet fragrance to the room.

Use a soft bristle broom to sweep the floor of heavier debris.

Wipe down surfaces such as ceiling fans and picture frames with a microfiber cloth that is slightly damp with water. Use your regular solutions to clean countertops, stove hood, cabinets, tables, chairs, stools, backsplashes and appliances.

Disinfect with Nature Kleen's All-Natural Disinfectant spray or your own. Spray surfaces provided in the checklist such as light switches, cabinets knobs and appliance handles, let sit for at least thirty seconds and then wipe down with a clean microfiber cloth.

Vacuum and mop the floor using Nature Kleen's switch-bucket system described earlier. 

Bathroom

Remove all floor mats, towels and throw rugs and wash them according to label instructions. You can also add to the water a few drops of essential oil such as tea tree, peppermint or lavender for their antibacterial, anti fungal and antiviral properties.

Once all objects have been removed, use a soft bristle broom to sweep the floor.

Use Nature Kleen's All Purpose Scrub or your own natural solution to clean the sink, showers, tub and toilet as well as the faucets and countertops. Mirrors, ceiling fans and shower doors can be wiped down with Nature Kleen's All-Purpose Cleaner & Disinfectant or your own natural solution.

Empty trashcan and rinse it with hot water, a drop of natural dish soap and a couple drops of a citrus essential oil (optional). If there is a buildup of grime or dirt in the trashcan, leave the water to sit for a few minutes or until you're finished cleaning and then rinse and dry. To prevent any further buildup, add a liner to the trash can and a few drops of the citrus essential oil to the liner, the scent will add a nice aroma to the room.

Use a cotton cloth to get rid of the excess water from rinsing surfaces before disinfecting. To disinfect, use Nature Kleen's All-Natural Disinfectant Spray or your own natural disinfectant with a clean microfiber cloth to wipe down the frequently-used surfaces as provided in the previous list such as light switches, door handles and faucets.

Vacuum and mop the floor using Nature Kleen's switch-bucket system. You can mop the floor with a microfiber mop head and your regular solution or Nature Kleen's All-Purpose Cleaner & Disinfect Cleaner. Just pour a 1/4 cup of our cleaner into a gallon bucket of hot water. This solution works great on tile floors.

Bedrooms/ Infant Rooms

Strip the bed linens and wash according to label instruction. You can choose and add an essential oil for its antibacterial, antiviral or antifungal property to the wash. Items that cannot be washed, should be sprayed with Nature Kleen All-Natural Disinfectant Spray or a natural spray of your choice and left in a clean, dry and sunny area.

Dust furniture with a microfiber cloth slightly damped with water. Be sure to clean ceiling fans, lamps and decorative items. Use Nature Kleen's All-Natural Disinfectant Spray and a clean microfiber cloth to wipe down frequently-used surfaces such as door handles, switches and other surfaces detailed in the checklist.

Mouthed toys, plastic toys well as pacifiers should be placed in the automatic dishwasher on the sanitizing cycle.

Vacuum and mop the floor, if applicable, with your own natural solution or a 1/4 cup of Nature Kleen's All-Purpose Cleaner & Disinfectant in a gallon of hot water. Be sure to use Nature Kleen's switch-bucket system and a mop with a microfiber mop head.

Home Office & Commercial Space

Empty trashcan, and if needed, wash can with hot waste and  a drop of natural dish soap. If there is any residue or buildup in the trashcan, leave the water to sit for a few minutes or until you're finished and then rinse and dry. To prevent any further buildup, add a liner to the trash can and a few drops of the citrus essential oil to the liner, the scent will add a sweet aroma to the room.

Dust furniture with a microfiber cloth slightly damped with water starting from the back until you get to the entrance/exit. Be sure to dust ceiling fans, lamps and decorative items. Use Nature Kleen's All-Natural Disinfectant Spray and a clean microfiber cloth to clean the frequently-used surfaces such as door handles, switches and elevator buttons. Follow the list previously provided.

Spray microfiber cloth before cleaning electronics and remote control. Vacuum and, if applicable, mop the floor with your own natural cleaning solution,  or a 1/4 cup of Nature Kleen's All-Purpose Cleaner & Disinfectant in a gallon of hot water. Be sure to use Nature Kleen's switch-bucket system and a microfiber mop head.

After you're finished, be sure to clean and disinfect your tools. Cleaning cloths should be washed in a normal wash and then disinfected. Cleaning tools such as vacuum floor brushes and scrubbers needs to be disinfected, preferably before moving to the next room.

For more information about our products, their ingredients and how they work, visit our website: www.naturekleen.info. You can also learn more about the services we offer.