Germs and allergens lurk everywhere, from doorknobs to remote controls. Most of us aren't disinfecting our homes correctly.
If you've ever quickly sprayed a surface and wiped it off or shared a rag between rooms, you're not alone. Unfortunately, these habits might be doing more harm than good.
To help, professional cleaners share their top disinfecting tips and cleaning advice.
Key Disinfecting Tips
To effectively disinfect your space, you need the right supplies:
- Effective disinfectant spray – like Lysol, available at Walmart.
- A set of microfiber cloths – sold at Walmart. Having several allows for regular changes.
- Optional: Cleaning gloves – consider O-Cedar Rubber Gloves, from Target to protect your skin.
1. Clear Surfaces Before Disinfecting
Clear away debris for effective disinfecting.
Before disinfecting, remove crumbs, grease, and dust. You don't have to perform a deep clean; just clear surfaces.
Sofia Martinez, a cleaning expert and CEO of Sparkly Maid Austin, emphasizes, 'This is crucial. If dirt or crumbs remain, disinfectants won't work effectively. Wipe surfaces with a regular cleaner first. Once clean, spray the disinfectant for it to effectively contact germs.'
Try Method All-Purpose Cleaner from Walmart for a plant-based solution that effectively tackles grease.
2. Let the Spray Sit
Dwell time is vital for germ elimination.
You don't need harsh chemicals for cleaning, but you do need to let sanitizing solutions sit on surfaces long enough.
Taylor Riley, a cleaning expert at GermSmart Commercial Cleaning, states, 'Many don't realize that just spraying and wiping isn't true disinfecting—it's deodorizing. Disinfectants require a
