COVID-19

CLEANING AND DISINFECTING

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

  • Commonly used cleaners and disinfectants are effective against COVID-19.

  • Surfaces frequently touched with hands are most likely to be contaminated. These include doorknobs,handrails,elevator buttons,light switches,cabinet handles,faucet handles,tables,countertops and electronics.

  • It is not yet known how long the virus causing COVID-19 lives on surfaces,however,early evidence suggests it can live on objects and surfaces from a few hours to days

CLEANS AND DISINFECTS PRODUCTs

  • When cleaning public spaces,choose products that clean and disinfect all at once(e.g. premixed store-bought disinfectant cleaning solutions and/or wipes).

  • Cleaning productsremove germs,dirt,and impurities from surfaces by using soap(or detergent) and water. Cleaning does not necessarily kill germs,but by removing them,it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.

  • Disinfecting products(store-bought disinfectant solutions and/or sprays) kill germs on surfaces using chemicals.

  • Use only disinfectant products that have a Drug Identification Number(DIN). A DIN is an 8-digit number given by Health Canada that confirms the disinfectant product is approved and safe for use in Canada.

Clean and disinfect surfaces that people touch often

  • In addition to routine cleaning,surfaces that are frequently touched with hands should be cleaned and disinfected more often,as well as when visibly dirty

  • Shared spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms should also be cleaned more often.

CREATE A CLEANING PROCEDURE

  • Operators of community settings should develop or review protocols and procedures for cleaning public spaces. This will help determine where improvements or additional cleaning may be needed.

  • Read and follow manufacturer’s instructions for safe use of cleaning and disinfection products(e.g. wear gloves,use in well-ventilated area,allow enough contact time for disinfectant to kill germs based on the product being used).

  • Wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer after removing gloves.

  • Use damp cleaning methods such as damp clean cloths,and/or a wet mop. Do not dust or sweep which can distribute virus droplets into the air.

  • Contaminated disposable cleaning items(e.g. mop heads,cloths) should be placed in a lined garbage bin before disposing of them with regular waste. Reusable cleaning items can be washed using regular laundry soap and hot water(60-90°C).

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CORONAVIRUS

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