How to Properly Disinfect High-Touch Areas at Home
Introduction
Keeping your home clean is great, but knowing how to disinfect high-touch areas at home is even more important. Germs live on surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, and mobile phones. If you don’t clean them properly, they can make you sick.
Why It’s Important to Disinfect High-Touch Areas
Germs can live on surfaces for hours or even days. When someone in your home is sick or during flu season, those germs spread quickly. By learning to disinfect high-touch areas at home, you help stop the spread of bacteria and viruses.
What Are High-Touch Areas at Home?
Here’s a list of common high-touch areas in your house:
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Doorknobs and handles
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Light switches
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Remote controls
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Cell phones and tablets
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Bathroom faucets and toilet handles
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Kitchen appliances (like fridge handles)
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Cabinet knobs
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Stair railings
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Game controllers
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Thermostats and alarm keypads
These surfaces get touched often, and they can collect a lot of germs. Always include them in your cleaning routine to disinfect high-touch areas at home effectively.
How Germs Spread in the House
Germs move from hand to surface and back to hands. You touch your phone, then touch your face. Or maybe your child touches the TV remote after playing outside. Germs hop from place to place this way. That’s why it’s critical to disinfect high-touch areas at home daily.
ALSO READ: Free Domestic, House, Commercial Office Cleaning Tips
Top Cleaning Supplies for Home Disinfection
To properly disinfect high-touch areas at home, you’ll need some reliable tools:
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Disinfectant sprays (like Lysol or Dettol)
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Disinfectant wipes
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Bleach solution (mix 4 teaspoons of bleach with 1 quart of water)
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70% alcohol-based solutions
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Microfiber cloths
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Gloves
Make sure the disinfectant says “kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria” on the label. Avoid expired products.
WHO on cleaning recommendations
Step-by-Step: How to Disinfect High-Touch Areas at Home
Let’s go through the steps to properly clean and disinfect:
Step 1: Wear Gloves
Put on gloves before you start. This keeps your hands safe from chemicals.
Step 2: Clean Dirt First
Wipe off dust and dirt from the surface. Use a damp cloth or mild soap.
Step 3: Apply Disinfectant
Spray or wipe the disinfectant directly on the surface. Don’t spray too far away.
Step 4: Wait
Let it sit for the time mentioned on the label—usually about 1–5 minutes. This is called the “dwell time.”
Step 5: Wipe and Let It Dry
Wipe with a clean cloth and let it air dry. Don’t rinse unless it says so on the label.
Repeat this routine often to disinfect high-touch areas at home.
DIY Natural Disinfectants for Your Home
Prefer natural options? You can still disinfect high-touch areas at home using ingredients you already have.
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Vinegar and Water: Mix equal parts in a spray bottle
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Hydrogen Peroxide: Use 3% solution for surfaces
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Lemon Juice: Has antibacterial properties
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Essential Oils: Add tea tree or eucalyptus oil to cleaning sprays
Note: Natural disinfectants might not kill all viruses. Use them for general maintenance.
Mistakes to Avoid When Disinfecting
Even if you clean daily, you may be doing it wrong. Avoid these common mistakes:
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Not letting disinfectant sit
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Skipping high-touch areas like remotes
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Reusing dirty cloths
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Using expired products
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Not cleaning before disinfecting
For best results, always follow the correct method to disinfect high-touch areas at home.
How Often Should You Disinfect High-Touch Areas?
Frequency depends on your household activity:
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Daily: If someone is sick or it’s flu season
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Every 2–3 days: For most families
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Weekly: If you live alone and rarely have visitors
You don’t need to overdo it, but being consistent helps to disinfect high-touch areas at home properly.
Extra Tips for Keeping Your Home Germ-Free
Besides cleaning, here are some habits to keep things sanitary:
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Wash hands frequently
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Use touchless bins
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Limit shoe-wearing indoors
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Disinfect after visitors leave
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Change towels regularly
Staying consistent with these tips makes it easier to disinfect high-touch areas at home.
Disinfecting During Illness or Flu Season
During flu outbreaks or if someone is sick, boost your routine:
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Disinfect high-touch areas 2–3 times a day
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Clean laundry with hot water
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Use separate towels and utensils
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Disinfect devices like phones and remotes after every use
You can lower the risk of spreading infections by being extra careful with how you disinfect high-touch areas at home.
Final Thoughts
Disinfecting isn’t just about cleaning—it’s about protecting your family’s health. When you know how to disinfect high-touch areas at home, you make your space safer, healthier, and more comfortable. A few minutes daily can prevent days of illness.
Stay consistent, use the right products, and educate your household members too.
FAQs
Q: Can I use soap and water to disinfect?
A: Soap and water clean surfaces but don’t kill all germs. You need a disinfectant to disinfect high-touch areas at home.
Q: Are disinfectant wipes enough?
A: Yes, if they contain at least 70% alcohol and are used properly (with enough contact time).
Q: How do I disinfect electronics safely?
A: Use alcohol-based wipes or sprays and avoid excess moisture. Power off the device first.
Q: Do I need to disinfect every day?
A: Not always, but high-traffic homes should clean more often to stay safe.
Q: Are natural disinfectants effective?
A: Some are, but they don’t always kill viruses. Use approved products for better protection when you disinfect high-touch areas at home.
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