Disinfecting Checklist: Health at Home

The purpose of this disinfecting checklist is to provide helpful information for health and safety in your home. We recommend following the CDC guidelines for preventing the spreading of the COVID-19 virus.

There are places in your home that are more likely to have bacteria and other microscopic germs. Because of the frequency that these things are touched or the typical environment for certain items, some places play host to more germs.

We believe that knowledge is power. Knowing which places and things in your home that need extra disinfecting attention could keep you and your family more healthy.

Use this disinfecting checklist to help you think of places to properly disinfect.

Handles, Switches, and Knobs

Frequently touched surfaces are the places in your home that are most likely to host a diversity of bacteria and germs. The more these items are touched, the more likely that germs have been left behind on them.

The majority of the bacteria and germs on our hands are not harmful to us, but a small number of bacteria and viruses can make us sick. With the current health concerns presented by the COVID-19 virus, it is a good time to do some extra cleaning.

Use a disinfecting cleaner to clean and wipe away the germs on these frequently touched places:

• Door knobs
• Knobs and pulls on cabinets and drawers
• Handles, buttons, and knobs on appliances
  • Refrigerator
  • Stove/oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Coffee maker
  • Microwave
  • Washer/Dryer
  • Toaster, blender, or other frequently used small appliance
• Light switches and outlets
• Lamp/fan switches
• Stair railings
• Faucets
• Toilets
• Doorbell
• Thermostat
• Kids Toys
• Dining table and chairs

Your car also has a number of frequently touched surfaces that you should add to your disinfecting checklist:

• Steering wheel
• Other controls on the steering column, dashboard, or driver control center
• Door handles (inside and out)
• Buttons on door panels
• Windows inside the car
• Cabin light buttons
• A/C vents
• Seat belts and buckles
• Cup holders

Technology

Most American homes are filled with different types of technology. Mobile devices travel with us and can touch a number of surfaces in public places. These helpful devices should be cleaned frequently and belong on your disinfecting checklist.

Wipe down these technology items in your home with a disinfecting cleaner 1 or more times a week:

• Mobile phone and case
• Tablet and case
• Watches and smart watches
• Charging cords and power banks
• TV remote
• Keyboards and mouses
• Headphones
• Gaming system controllers, game cases, and console buttons
• Printer (buttons and outer surfaces)

Items in Your Purse or Wallet

The things that you carry in your purse of wallet may get overlooked in your cleaning routine, but they can have more germs than you might expect. Change and bills of currency can be found in a number of peculiar places before it makes its way to your hands. Your debit/credit card has likely been handled by restaurant workers, fuel station attendants, and a number of machines where other cards have recently been swiped.

Disinfect these items that you carry around in your wallet, purse, or pocket:

• Coins and cash
• Debit cards, credit cards, store loyalty cards, and other cards.
• Car keys
• Pens and pencils
• Lip balm or makeup outer packaging
• You wallet or purse it’s self (Follow care instructions)
• Other items you carry that are washable or able to be wiped down.

Sponges, Loofahs, and Towels

Some items in your home are excellent places for bacteria to thrive, by design. Your shower loofah is one of them. It stays in a wet environment, has a center that can hold residue, and is difficult to clean. Other items like towels can be disinfected, and should be washed often. Don’t forget these absorbent items on your disinfecting checklist.

Disinfect these items by washing them in hot water with detergent or bleach:

• Wash rags
• Hand towels
• Bath towels
• Kitchen towels
• Bath mats
• Fabric shower curtains
• Sheets & bedding
• Place mats
• Cosmetic brushes

Replace these items regularly, or consider using a washable alternative:

• Bathing sponges or loofahs
• Plastic shower curtain
• Cleaning sponges
• Dish brushes and scrubbers
• Cosmetic sponges and applicators
• Floor mop heads
• Feather dusters or synthetic dusters

Countertops, sinks, and drains

Any place where food is prepared, washed, or eaten, should also be disinfected before and after being used. Don’t allow bacteria and germs to stay in your sink or around the drain. These places on your disinfecting checklist are frequently touched and help us keep other places in our home clean.

These surfaces should be disinfected before you put away your cleaning supplies:

• Kitchen counters
• Disposal and kitchen sink
• Bathroom counters and sink
• Shower/Bathtub and drain

We want you and your loved ones to be happy and healthy in your home. Along with your regular cleaning routine, consider taking extra care to disinfect these places in your home.

Understanding that the challenges and concerns created by the COVID-19 virus are affecting everyone, we hope that this information is helpful to you. There may be other places in your home that should be disinfected in addition to the items on this list. We also recommend following the CDC guidelines for preventing the spreading of the COVID-19 virus.

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