LIVING SPACES

For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs and curtains, remove visible contamination if present and clean with cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning you can launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Pay close attention to rugs as these can collect dirt and dust. If you can’t get rugs professionally cleaned, you can do your own version at home every 12-18 months. Thoroughly vacuum the rug on both sides with the regular vacuum head and then the brush attachment. Use a rug shampoo as directed, but test the product first to ensure it doesn’t make the colours run.

In the living areas, electronics also need a good clean, including your mobile phone. The University of Arizona has reported that mobile phones carry 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. Apple says it is safe to wipe the nonporous surfaces such as your phone display, keyboard and other exterior surfaces with a 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol wipe, but do not submerge your phone in a cleaning product and avoid getting moisture in the charger port. Also, don’t use bleach. Professor Mark Fielder, a microbiologist at Kingston University, suggested wiping your phone over with an alcohol wipe twice a day, and not sharing your phone around. For older phones that aren’t resistant to liquid, use a soft, lint-free cloth, or use a screen protector that can be cleaned with disinfectant wipes. Don’t forget other electronic equipment: monitors and keyboards can be cleaned with a lightly dampened microfibre cleaning cloth.