These days, we all fancy ourselves sanitation and cleaning experts. Yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one-third of us are doing it all wrong.
Back in May, the CDC conducted a poll of 502 adults within the United States, asking them about their cleaning habits during the global pandemic. Although 60% of respondents revealed they've been cleaning their personal spaces much more frequently than pre-virus times, the study also shed light on the fact that "calls to poison centers regarding exposures to cleaners and disinfectants have increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic."
The CDC suggests that, to put it simply, people don't know much about the "safe preparation, use and storage of cleaners and disinfectants"—a fact that results in a third of survey respondents having engaged in "non-recommended high-risk practices." These include the use of bleach on food products, the inhalation and ingestion of cleaners and disinfectants and the application of products on skin.
When discussing how to properly prepare a bleach solution, 23% of participants knew to only use room temperature water to dilute the bleach, whereas 35% were aware that the product shouldn't be mixed with vinegar and 58% knew about not mixing it with ammonia.
As for post-cleaning behavior, only 68% of folks reported washing hands after making use of the products and 73% understood the importance of adequate ventilation. Almost bafflingly, a relatively low 79% of those queried said they knew to keep the products away from children. A majority of folks do, however, reportedly wear gloves and eye protection gear when handling the chemicals.
So... how do we properly kill bacteria and viruses? First of all, consult the CDC's guidelines right here. Here are a few key tips:
- Before disinfecting, the agency advises cleaning off any debris, dirt or dust on surfaces.
- If making your own diluted bleach solution (which is a recommended practice), make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. As a general tip: use 1/3 of a cup of bleach per gallon of room temperature water or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of room temperature water. You can use the disinfectant for up to 24 hours.
- Never ever "mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser."
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