5 Things You Should Be Cleaning

With the onset of COVID-19, it's important to be extra vigilant with cleaning away germs. 

Regular handwashing is important, but it's not the only way to keep germs out of our apartments. Here are five germ carriers that we should be cleaning and disinfecting regularly. 

Keys

Keys are germ magnets that transfer germs onto your hands and surfaces in your apartment. Before you clean your keys, remove keychain items that shouldn't get wet. Fill a small bowl with hot water and a few drops of dish soap, soaking your keys in the water for a few minutes. Use an old toothbrush to scrub them once they've soaked. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely. Disinfect with a spray bottle solution of 2 tbsps of bleach to 4 cups of water. Spray the keys and let them sit for at least a minute, then dry them with a paper towel if necessary.

Keyboard/Remotes

Germs can hide on your keyboard and remote controls. Due to these items being water sensitive, only clean them with a damp microfiber cloth to remove dirt particles. Dust and debris in keyboards can be removed with a can of compressed air; just spray the compressed air around the keys to clean. Sanitize the items with a disinfectant wipe after you've removed the dust and debris.

Smartphone

Our smartphones are always in use and easily collect germs. To clean, first remove it from the case and then wipe the phone with a damp microfiber cloth. Avoid using alcohol disinfectants to keep the oleophobic coating on your screen intact. Safely wipe the screen with an alcohol free hand sanitizer, or for waterproof phones, gently wipe the screen with a soapy cloth. Silicone phone cases can be scrubbed clean with hot soapy water. However, you should check the manufacturer's cleaning instructions for other types of cases.

Light switches/Doorknobs

Light switches and doorknobs are high traffic areas that sometimes get forgotten about when cleaning. To clean these, wipe down the switches, plates, and doorknobs with a soapy cloth, being careful not to use too much water. Disinfect with a spray bottle solution of 2 tbsps of bleach to 4 cups water. Let them sit for at least a minute, then wipe them dry.

Toothbrush/Toothbrush holder

According to the Canadian Dental Association, we should replace our toothbrushes every 3 to 4 months, and even sooner if we are sick. Soak your toothbrush in antibacterial mouthwash for 15 minutes to disinfect it. Clean the toothbrush holder with an old toothbrush and some hot soapy water. Disinfect the holder by filling it with antibacterial mouthwash and letting it soak for several minutes. 

There are a lot of items that we don't think will get covered in germs and bacteria. The safest thing to do is constantly wash your hands with hot soapy water, and always make sure you clean anything you've brought into public with you. Be sure to also change your clothes once you get home. 

Stay safe everyone!