We can all agree that our homes have always been our ‘safe place’ but over the last couple of months – our ‘safe space’ has taken a whole new meaning. With us spending more and more time protected in our homes in our bid to flatten the curve, limit the spread of the COVID-19 and ultimately keep our families safe – taking coronavirus precautions have become hugely important for me and my family. While we wear a mask and sanitise regularly when we have to venture out in public for work, shopping or running errands – the reality is that every time we return home from an outing during this pandemic, we could potentially be exposing our ‘safe space’ to the virus. With the groceries we bring into our home, the shoes we walk into our home and the clothes we have worn out – viruses are known to survive on surfaces for days! Ultimately practicing good hygiene inside our homes is equally important and a vital way of coronavirus precaution.

Preparing our home for the virus outbreak starts with some simple and basic home hygiene habits. Here are some incredibly helpful cleaning tips I have found useful to help properly disinfect your home….

First clean, then disinfect surfaces
To start off your cleaning routine, you want to give your surfaces a proper clean. Ordinary household cleaners are usually adequate to remove common germs. Afterward, dilute a few drops of Domestos thick bleach (follow manufacturer’s instructions) in water to disinfect surfaces. These will help to attack any leftover germs and will reduce your risk of infection.

Wear gloves when cleaning
Use disposable gloves whenever you clean a blocked shower drain as well as other areas around your home. Throw them away after using (carefully removing them so that you do not contaminate your hands). If you are using reusable gloves, clean them thoroughly and don’t use them for any other tasks other than cleaning. Either way, wash your hands after taking off your gloves

Target high-touch surfaces
Scan through your home to identify items that you and your family come into contact with daily. Think door handles, light switches, stair railings, kitchen surfaces, taps, toilets, sinks. Don’t forget things like your wallet, phone, and keys. Use a solution of Domestos thick bleach and water with a sponge or cloth to clean and disinfect those items.

Don’t forget your electronics
Cell phones, remote controls, and computer keyboards are well-known for collecting germs. However, using harsh products and sprays may damage these devices, so be mindful of this when you clean. Remember to switch them off and unplug before you clean. Dampen a microfibre cloth by dipping in a solution of soap and water to clean your phone. Some computer screens don’t take kindly to certain products– check your manufacturer’s recommendations. Use disinfectant wipes that are not overly moist (you want to prevent liquid from leaking between the keys), and that can be used on the keyboard.

Maintain a routine
Make a habit of taking off your shoes (yes, footwear carries germs) before you enter the house. Also, remember to wash your hands as soon as you arrive at home. This is the time to give everything you left the home with– your purse, keys, wallet or phone– a clean, too. Keep hand sanitiser and tissues ready for your family to travel with when they leave the house. Try to establish a good hygiene routine for every member of the family.

It’s also good to remember that a simple approach has been proven to be best when dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and research shows that health experts all agree that the most effective coronavirus prevention is to follow the same basic personal hygiene practices we follow every cold and flu season.

Paid partnership with Domestos.