How to clean your home during the coronavirus pandemic: Expert reveals why you should scrub before you spray, put sponges in the washing machine and wipe the kettle daily

March 18, 2020

Cleaning expert shares the steps everyone can take to keep their home sparkling
She recommended always cleaning before sanitising a surface or countertop
Added that sponges should go in the dishwasher and kettles should be cleaned
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With health at the forefront of our minds amid the coronavirus pandemic, many of us are thinking about how we can keep our homes as clean and germ-free as possible.

Cleaning expert Sandra Redmond, of British company Molly Maid cleaners, revealed the steps everyone can take to keep their homes sparkling, especially with many spending more time inside.

Her tips include scrubbing countertops with soapy water before spraying with any product, and wiping down lesser-cleaned areas like the kettle handle and coffee pot every day.

Here, Molly shares her tips with FEMAIL…

‘Don’t just sanitise – clean first then sanitise. We can be tempted to run through our house with disinfectant wipes or spray in hand and using them on all surfaces.

‘But it’s better to first clean the area with a soapy sponge and/or cloth and then apply any disinfectant.

How often should you clean?

Though it is recommended that surfaces that are being frequently touched by hands, yours and others, such as light switches, door handles (your outside door handle especially) are sanitised daily, you may not have sufficient time to do this. Considering doing these every other day but use a sanitiser or warm soapy water.

Appliances such as the kettle and coffee machine, don’t get as much use so once a week may be sufficient. Again, consider using a sanitiser or warm soapy water. Remember to unplug any small appliance before cleaning it.

In terms of what to clean, anything that you are putting your hands on, should be cleaned. A good rule of thumb is to thoroughly wash your hands when you get home before you touch anything. This is when you are likely to be spreading unwanted germs.

‘Also, leave the disinfectant untouched on surfaces for around 30 seconds before wiping.

‘In normal times you would want to clean and sanitise every few days, but these are anything but normal times.

‘Clean and sanitise kitchen counter-tops daily.

‘The reality is that these are used daily, so you should consider cleaning and sanitising them daily.

DON’T FORGET CUPBOARDS AND KETTLES

‘Remember to clean commonly touched areas.

‘While large surfaces like kitchen counter tops get the most attention, don’t forget to clean and disinfect those areas we frequently touch such as the kettle, coffee machine, door and window handles, makeup packages, remote controls and possibly the most forgotten area in the kitchen – cupboard and appliance handles.

‘Though it is recommended that surfaces that are being frequently touched by hands, yours and others, such as light switches, door handles (your outside door handle especially) are sanitised daily, you may not have sufficient time to do this.

‘Considering doing these every other day but use a sanitiser or warm soapy water.’

PUT YOUR SPONGES IN THE DISHWASHER

‘The very things you use to clean other things is often teeming with germs itself. The Global Hygiene Council found that an average of 19.6 billion bacteria live in the kitchen sponges in British homes.

‘You might not want to think about that too much! The good news is that it’s easy to send those 19.6 billion bacteria on their merry way.

Wash your hands as you clean

‘Regularly wash your hands. Get into a regular practice of washing your hands when you return home and before you touch anything else.’

‘How to clean: Just pop the sponge into the dishwasher or washing machine, or give it a scrub with hot soapy water yourself.

‘You could also put it in the microwave on high for a minute or two – and while you’re at it, put any other sponges or cloths you regularly use such as bathroom sponges.

‘Another tip is to use microfibre cloths because these are easily laundered and very quickly.

RUN YOUR WASHING MACHINE – WITH NOTHING IN IT

‘To prevent the spread of germs, all underwear, towels and household linen should be washed at 60C or at 40C with a bleach-based, or bio, laundry product.

‘It’s also a good idea to run the washing machine on empty once a week, either at a high temperature or with a chemical disinfectant to prevent the growth of germs and try not to leave wet washing in the machine as this will only serve to encourage the growth of germs.’