Disinfecting High-Touch Surfaces & the Mistake Most People Make

High-touch surfaces in homes and need to be cleaned more often than most, and sometimes they need to be disinfected. It’s never a bad idea to disinfect them, but it’s especially important when someone in the household is sick.

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By disinfecting these surfaces, you can halt the spread of germs and viruses. In this post, you’ll learn the simple steps to this task, and also learn the mistake that most people make!

Identifying High-Touch Surfaces

So what exactly is a high-touch surface? It’s those parts of the house that get touched by multiple people most every day.

Some common examples include doorknobs, light switches, faucets, countertops, and any shared keyboards or mobile devices.

How Often To Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces?

Some sources will tell you it should be done every single day. I think it depends more on how many people are in your home and whether anyone’s been ill.

Although it should be noted that most viruses have a period of about 24-48 hours where the person has no symptoms and doesn’t know they’re sick, but they’re already contagious.

It should at least be done every time you clean. Since it doesn’t take long, you may want to do them every day.

Supplies

You’ll need the following:

• Cleaning cloths
• EPA-approved disinfectant spray or wipes (learn how to make your own disinfectant wipes)
• Possibly Soap or detergent and water

Preparing the Surface for Disinfecting

Start by cleaning any visible dirt or debris from the surface using a cloth. This step makes the disinfecting more effective.

If necessary, use soap and water to clean the surface thoroughly before proceeding to the next step.

Disinfect the Surface

Note that these steps are the same whether you’re spraying on a disinfectant or using a disinfectant wipes.

1. Apply an EPA-approved disinfecting solution to the surface according to the product’s instructions.
2. Allow the solution to sit on the surface for the recommended amount of time. If you’re not sure, 10 minutes should be more than enough for any disinfectant.
3. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe the surface. This is how you actually remove the germs!
4. If required, rinse the surface with water and dry thoroughly.

The Mistake Most People Make

It’s very common for people not to realize they need to wipe off the disinfectant to remove the germs. Just applying it should kill them, but wiping them away after it’s killed them is also important in the process.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Electronics

Electronics, such as smartphones, tablets, and keyboards, need special care during the sanitizing and disinfecting process. Follow these guidelines:

1. Before starting, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure compatibility with the disinfectant. As a general rule, alcohol wipes are safe on devices.
2. Power off the device and unplug it if applicable.
3. Use a cloth or wipe moistened with an appropriate disinfectant to clean the surface of the device.
4. Pay extra attention to the touchscreens, buttons, and crevices.
5. Allow the device to air dry completely.
6. Wipe it with a dry cloth to remove any dead germs.
7. Turn it back on.

Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

Disinfecting these surfaces should be part of your regular cleaning routine.

• Establish a cleaning schedule for high-touch surfaces. Add it to any cleaning checklists you use.
• Encourage proper handwashing in your household.
• Regularly replace cleaning supplies and disinfectants as needed.