5 Minute Read

With every new COVID-19 variants barging in countries to countries, it is just a matter of time that these menace invade yours too, again. You can’t keep yourself totally safe from deadly virus by living in an apartment that is prone to the touch of outside world. Your door knob, calling bell, grocery bag, the money you are handed through transaction, the foods you buy, boxes you bring into your home – everything is liable to be corrupted with life-taking virus. So, what do you do? You disinfect everything that is humanly possible to perform.

Assuming you already know the importance of getting vaccinated and wearing surgical mask and head cap as long as you are on outside given those information are overwhelmingly broadcasted and printed on every part of the world.

Then let’s talk about the secondary (and also more comprehensive) part of your safety: Keeping your apartment COVID-proof:

Going Out, Coming In


Have a small Shoe Cabinet/Shoe Rack outside your apartment door. Keep fresh/clean sandals which to be used inside your apartment by guests. Request them to take off their shoes and wear these sandals you provided. Given the situation everyone is facing right now, they’ll more likely understand your initiative. Try to have as less guest as you can. If possible, do online meeting. I know it won’t have much of any enjoyment but both of you’ll be safe. Wash your hands right after entering your apartment, request your guests to do the same. Do not bring inside apartment the shoes you use outside. Keep them outside the apartment door. Disinfect the door knob/door handle by spraying cleaner on it. Home-made cleaning solution would be better given that you won’t have to go outside just to buy it.

Cleaning Clothes


Clean your clothes immediately after coming inside the apartment, especially if you were in a crowded place right before. Regularly clean clothes, bed sheets and towels. Don’t shake dirty laundry violently to minimize the possibility of dispersing the virus through the air. Wash items with soap or detergent, using the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely — both steps will help to kill the virus. Wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub, immediately afterwards. Wash or disinfect your laundry bag and hamper as well. Consider storing laundry in disposable bags.

 

Cleaning the Apartment


Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces in your apartment regularly is an essential precautionary measure to lower the risk of infection. Common high-touch surfaces include: Chairs, tables, handrails, kitchen and bathroom surfaces, faucets/taps, toilets, light switches, mobile phones, computers, tablets, keyboards, remote controls, game controllers and favorite toys.

Use cleaning product instructions for safe and effective use, including as wearing gloves before applying the disinfectant.

Handling Food Situation

For now, evidence of people catching the COVID-19 virus from food or food packaging is pretty much absent but it might be possible for people to become infected by touching a surface or object contaminated by the virus and then touching their face after. Also, the greater risk comes from being in close contact with other people while outside food shopping or receiving a food delivery. So, it’s important to keep a distance of at least 1 meter from others, wear a fabric mask in public settings, and frequently wash your hands in any establishment you are free to use - there are hand-washing booths in front of many markets and bazaars. As always, good hygiene is important when handling food to prevent any food-borne illnesses.

Remove every packaging and dispose it into a waste bin with a lid. In case of removing food from take-out containers, place the food on a clean plate and dispose of the container immediately. Canned packages can be wiped clean with a disinfectant before being opened or stored. Wash unpackaged produce, such as fruit and vegetables, thoroughly under running water for several minutes.

Disinfection


After every tasks provided above, always remember to wash your hands with soap and water. Why soap? Because the base compounds containing in it are more powerful against virus than normal hand-wash disinfectant. Remind yourself not to wipe cleaning solutions off as soon as you’ve applied it to a surface. Many disinfectant products, such as wipes and sprays, need to stay wet on a surface for several minutes in order to be effective. Always read the directions to make sure you’re using the products as recommended and to avoid damaging sensitive items such as mobile phones and other electronic devices. Consider using wipeable covers for electronics. Do the same while using home-made cleaners.

You have been told to keep yourself unaffected from COVID-19 hundreds of time at this point. Now it’s time to keep your apartment unaffected.