Under most circumstances, the amount of infectious virus on any contaminated surface is likely to have decreased significantly by 72 hours.
All surfaces that you have come into contact with must be cleaned and disinfected, including objects which are visibly contaminated and all potentially contaminated high-contact areas such as:
- Bathrooms – taps, toilets, towel rails, shower curtains, toiletries, towels, handles and door knobs
- Around the house - door handles, telephones, grab-rails in corridors and stairwells, light switches, remote controls, worktops, armrests, cabinet and cupboard handles
- Bedroom – bed linen, bedside tables, lamp switches
To clean and disinfect all hard surfaces and flooring, use disposable cloths or paper towel roll and dispose of mop heads.
Clean all surfaces with regular household detergent and allow surfaces to dry. Follow this step by a thorough disinfection with a bleach dilution or sterilising fluid e.g. Milton used for babies bottles. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution, application and contact times for all detergents and disinfectants.
When items cannot be cleaned using detergents or laundered, for example upholstered furniture and mattresses, steam cleaning may be used – for example by using the steam setting on an iron.
If you opt to have your house professionally cleaned, let the company know that you require a deep clean after a COVID-19 infection. This way, the company will be able to provide the best cleaning option and protect their staff.
