Coronavirus advisory: 5 steps to clean and disinfect your home or office

A lot of us would have done heavy spring cleaning at our homes and workplaces just prior to Chinese New Year, so the environment around us is cleaner and more conducive.

But in light of the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV) outbreak, we share some guidelines from National Environment Agency on how to clean your living area (relevant if you suspect that your home or office may have been exposed to the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV).

Here are five steps to sanitise your living and working area:

1. Prepare your cleaning tools

Wear a surgical mask, disposable gloves and a bleach solution or appropriate disinfectant with indication of effectiveness against coronavirus. Keep the windows open for ventilation, and remember to avoid touching your face and eyes.

2. Start to clean surfaces

Prepare the disinfectant or bleach solution, and mop the floor of your residence from one end to another. Use disposable cloths or rags to wipe toilet surfaces and frequently touched areas, such as handles, doorknobs, armrests, switches, etc.

Do not use a spray pack to apply disinfectant as it may create splashes which can further spread the virus.

3. Wash fabrics

Use a washing machine and detergent to wash fabrics, such as bed sheets, pillow covers and blankets.

ALSO READ: How to protect yourself and employees from coronavirus: A visual guide

4. Finishing up

Repeat mopping the floor of your residence from one end to another, but avoid going from uncleaned areas to cleaned areas, to avoid dirtying the cleaned area.

With your gloves and mask on, throw all used cloths, as well as other waste, into a double-lined plastic trash bag. Remove gloves and surgical mask, then wash your hands with soap and water. Separate clean-up waste from other household waste.

5. Ensuring personal hygiene

Shower and change your clothes, then air and ventilate your home.

Remember to avoid sharing household items, and wash used items thoroughly with soap and water.

As the virus can survive on surfaces of different materials for at least two-three days, potentially contaminated surfaces should be sanitised thoroughly. You should avoid hosting visitors in the home until your residence is sanitised.

The full set of cleaning guidelines is shared below:

Photos / Government of Singapore