With the COVID-19 pandemic, civilian priorities have shifted towards adopting simpler lifestyles to ensure their well-being and safety. Maintaining a sanitized home is an essential part of this movement, as many have adapted to the changes brought by the pandemic. Businesses have arranged work-from-home setups as well as schools. The time a family spends at home will be more than usual. Thus, here are some tips to help you keep it fresh and hygienic:
Sanitize the front entrance
Pandemic safety protocols indicate that practicing self-quarantine is the best way to deter the spread. Prevention is important, but going out can’t be avoided, especially for essential work and errands. Although it’s not prohibited, limiting trips outside will be for the best.
Should you or any of your family find the need to go out, practice extra caution by taking a bath immediately once you get back home. Prepare a designated laundry basket or hampers for clothes used. Afterwhich, proceed to disinfect the entrance with soap and water or with disinfectant spray. Focus on high-touch surfaces such as the doorknobs, the floor, and the entrance mat.
Limit your trips outside
On the subject of groceries, use online delivery services for your monthly or biweekly food supply. You can also save up by coordinating with your neighbors by agreeing to split the bill on the delivery fee. Otherwise, plan out your grocery shopping by buying in bulk. As long as cases are still on the rise, it’s best to keep outdoor ventures to a minimum.
Keep your kitchen pest-free
Pests can often hide around kitchen walls and narrow corners to scavenge for crumbs on the floor and inside cooking appliances. Focus on surfaces like countertops, dining tables, coffee tables, and so on. Use soap, warm water, and a teaspoon of bleach afterward to ensure no bacteria is left behind.
For the stove, clean them from the inside-out. Take off any grease you might find or burned leftovers that can be targeted by cockroaches at night. Not only does this deter pests from entering, but it also prevents these cooking appliances from overheating due to residue buildup.
Eradicate bacterial threats in your home
Mold is the result of moisture and bacterial buildup in dark and damp areas. This can be found most in basements, bathrooms, and plumbing spaces. These fungi are physically unassuming, but the mycotoxins it produces can lead to numerous health issues.
The best way to prevent mold is to install dehumidifiers to keep your home cool and dry. You can also clean the corners of your home to avoid any buildup that may occur. After all, mold is just as dangerous, if not deadlier than COVID-19.
If the problem persists or becomes too much to handle, immediately hire a professional to deal with it. In fact, some home insurance policies in the Philippines offer backing to mold remediation. It may be expensive, but compared to hospital fees, dealing with it immediately is the better option.