It’s been a minute since 2020, but yet it seems like not much has changed. There’s still an ongoing pandemic, yet we have all grown weary trying to endure it. And in that weariness, we may have slightly let our guard down and stopped cleaning and disinfecting as we did at the start of the pandemic. With new variants of the coronavirus becoming prevalent, now seems like a good time to be reminded about cleaning the areas of the home that are often overlooked.
The first stop inside the house when arriving home has become the bathroom sink to wash hands thoroughly. Hand washing is effective in preventing bringing the unwanted virus into the home after an outing. But have you considered everything you touched from the moment you got into the car to come home? After giving your hands a thorough washing, head back out to the garage to do some quick cleaning.
When it comes to battling this virus, it’s important to understand the difference between cleaning and disinfecting. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cleaning refers to removing germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. It does not kill germs, but removing them lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but killing germs on a surface after cleaning can further lower the risk of spreading infection. The CDC recommends daily cleaning of frequently touched surfaces using an EPA-registered, regular household cleaner and water.
Even if hand sanitizer was the first step before you turned the car key to drive home, consider doing a quick but detailed cleaning of your car. The most convenient cleaning tool is the presoaked cleaning wipe. You probably remember that these wipes, along with toilet paper, were the first items to be snapped up when the pandemic first hit. If your store is now restocked, pick up a canister and continue to use this fantastic cleaning product. If wipes are still not available, choose a liquid spray cleaner and paper towels. The parts of your car to wipe down with disinfectant cleaner are the inside and outside door handles, gear shift, steering wheel, control buttons for the radio and air conditioner, and the garage door opener button. If you have children who ride in the back seat, clean any surfaces they may frequently touch, and bring the toys inside for a good soap bath.
If you use a keypad to enter the garage or house, remember to wipe it down as well. When cleaning remote controls or items containing batteries, remove the batteries before wiping the device down. Never use spray disinfectant on battery-operated electronics. For small or grooved surfaces, apply the cleaning agent to a cotton swab and then wipe. If it has been a while since you cleaned the garage, take the time to wash entry rugs and welcome mats using the manufacturer’s recommendations.
We hope this article has been a helpful reminder not to give up our new cleaning habits. These small steps can keep your home and family safe and healthy. At Joe Wilde Company, we’re confident that we will successfully get through this time together. We thank you for trusting us during these challenging times. Visit us online at joewilde.com to see all the fabulous products we offer for your garage and home. And if you have questions about your garage door or need service, reach out to us at joewilde.com/service-request or by phone at 262-782-0500.