TACKLING THE TASK: BATHROOM S

Making sure your living space is spick and span will improve your chances of keeping the virus at bay TOP TIPS

THE worst is yet to come. This is the ominous warning from the authorities as South Africa hurtles headfirst into winter and the country’s Covid-19 cases continue to climb. Be careful, we’re reminded. Don’t take chances, we’re told. Wear your mask, wash your hands, practise social distancing.

Perhaps someone in your family is fighting the disease at the moment. Or perhaps a loved one will get it in the weeks or months to come.

It’s imperative that we know how to clean our homes after someone has been stricken so our dwellings become havens of safety and comfort once again.

Here’s how to clean your living space so the virus can vamoose.

SSSfumes from cleaning products, purify the air and help surfaces to dry.

Follow instructions on cleaning products carefully and don’t use more than the amount recommended.

Never mix chemicals, such as bleach and ammonia, and store products out of reach of kids and pets. Products containing bleach are good for removing stains on hard surfaces and can also kill bacteria. Disinfectant products are also excellent germ removers. A multipurpose spray cleaner containing disinfectant or bleach is good for cleaning kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

SDisinfect every surface, paying attention to frequently touched areas such as taps, light switches, the basin, doorknob, toilet seat and lid, and toilet-roll holder.

down the walls, bath and shower with a disinfectant or bleach solution, and rinse with hot water. Isolate the toiletries used by the patient and either dispose of them or disinfect them using soap and water.

SSSSSSSSCOMPILED BY GEZZY S SIBISI

Wipe frequently touched areas with warm, soapy water before decontaminating with a product containing bleach.

Wash your hands frequently during the cleaning process and change your plastic gloves at least once. Don’t touch your face.

You can make your own bleach solution: mix 1 litre of water with 4 teaspoons of bleach. Bleach solutions are effective for 24 hours.

Clean one room at a time, moving systematically through the house. A room is ready for reoccupation once all the surfaces have dried.

Dispose of all PPE once you’re done and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. heighten your chances of contamination.

If you’ve been in physical contact with a coronavirus sufferer and plan to take the laundry to a laundromat, wait 72 hours after your required 14-day post-contact isolation period before you drop it off.

If you’re washing it in your machine, select a programme of between 60 and 90°C – hot enough to get rid of germs. Dry outside in direct sunlight and iron it afterwards.

Dispose of your gloves and wash your hands with hot water and soap for at least 20 seconds.