Cleaning your home is more important than ever to keep yourself and your family safe and prevent the spread of coronavirus, but not everyone knows exactly how to clean - and disinfect - effectively. Right now, cleaning ‘hacks’ won’t do it - along with cleaning your surfaces, you'll probably want to disinfect, too. While cleaning removes bacteria from a surface, disinfecting with spray or wipes will help to kill it. We spoke with the experts who explained exactly what to do, and which products will work best.
Resident Cleaning Expert Susan Seabert at Health and Fitness brand GearHungry told HELLO!: “As much of the UK's population braces itself for weeks of self-isolation, cleaning products are flying off the shelves. Even though the government is advising against stockpiling, many are continuing to do so. However, despite the current climate, stockpiling disinfectant is completely unnecessary.
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© Photo: iStockCleaning your home effectively is more important than ever
“Many people use disinfectant incorrectly as they do not realise the extent that they can dilute the product. Three teaspoons of disinfectant can be mixed with one gallon of water in order to provide a sufficient clean and kill bacteria.
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"Many people leave disinfectant on the surfaces for a matter of seconds before wiping it away. I do not recommend this. Leave on the surface for up to 5 mins. Disinfecting a surface should be the final step in your cleaning routine AFTER you have swept, mopped and removed any debris from the affected area. Disinfecting a surface is not removing bacteria but in fact killing it completely. Always wear gloves when working with a disinfectant."
Vax S86-SF-C Steam Fresh Combi Multifunction Steam Cleaner, £59.99, Argos
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There's no need for harsh chemicals with this Vax S86-SF-C Steam Fresh Combi, a 15-in-1 model that can be used for all household tasks from mopping floors to cleaning your oven, windows and taps. Proven to eliminate 99.9 per cent of harmful germs and bacteria for up to 7 days, you'll wonder what you ever did without it.
Method Anti-Bac cleaning spray, £2, John Lewis & Partners
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Proving you don't need strong chemicals to clean effectively, Method's Anti-Bac cleaning spray is made using natural ingredients yet still kills 99.9 per cent of bacteria.
Zoflora Fresh Home disinfectant pack of 2, £11, Amazon
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Zoflora has become a cult buy thanks to Mrs Hinch's seal of approval, and while it's tricky to get your hands on at the moment, you can still snap up a 500ml of the Fresh Home Disinfectant at Wilko, which also helps to remove pet-related bacteria and odours from your home.
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Minky M Cloth anti-bacterial cleaning pad 3 pack, £6.90, Amazon
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Another favourite of Mrs Hinch, you'll wonder what you did without these Minky M Cloth Anti-Bacterial cleaning pads, which are dual-sided for powerful scrubbing, cleaning and wiping down all areas of the home.
Getting hold of cleaning products can prove challenging at the moment, but you could also make your own with all-natural ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen cupboards. Lynsey Crombie, known as the Queen of Clean, revealed making your own natural disinfectant is as easy as mixing together soda crystals and white wine vinegar, and also shared her recipes for all-purpose cleaner, air freshener and drain cleaner.
READ: Lynsey Crombie reveals how to make your own natural disinfectant
Influencer Harriet, of Making A House A Home fame, also shared her tips for cleaning and disinfecting your home:
1. It is important to dilute any disinfectants according to the ratio on the packaging, or you can use a ready-to-go anti-bacterial cleaner.
2. For those parents that are now having to work from home, I focus on achieving #onetaskaday to keep the housework at bay! There’s no denying it’s hard to keep on top of cleaning while looking after children, and working. Try not to overwhelm yourself and break things down into more manageable tasks.
3. Make sure you are cleaning the areas that come into frequent contact! Tasks like dusting light fixtures aren’t a priority right now, it’s vital to keep things such as door handles, light switches, TV remotes and frequently touched surfaces clean.
4. Ensure shoes and outerwear are removed before entering the house to try and limit the germs coming inside.
5. Wear gloves when using disinfectants and use moisturiser frequently! If your hands are dry they may crack, which is even worse for harbouring germs.
For more information on COVID-19, visit the World Health Organisation website.
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