High-Touch Surfaces to Clean and Disinfect Daily

Cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces in your home is something we all should do, even if we aren’t leaving the house. Whenever you bring in the mail or takeout meals, or anytime people come and go, there’s a risk of exposure to new germs. Transmission from person-to-person is a much greater possibility than transmission from surfaces, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends we clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in our homes daily to be safe.

High-Touch Surfaces To Clean Daily

Following the CDC’s home cleaning tips will go a long way toward keeping your space clean. According to the CDC, “High-touch surfaces are surfaces that are handled frequently throughout the day by numerous people.” Everyone’s home is a little different, so the surfaces we touch the most will vary depending on habits and routines. Some examples of high-touch surfaces in homes include:

• Doorknobs
• Sink faucets and knobs
• Light switches
• Phones
• Computers
• Table surfaces
• Dining chairs (seat, back and arms)
• Kitchen counters
• Bathroom counters
• Toilets (seat and handle)
• TV remote controls
• Game controllers
• Toys

These high-touch surfaces can become contaminated by direct contact with bodily fluids or indirect contact with other contaminated objects, such as ineffectively-cleaned sponges or badly washed hands.

How to Clean These Surfaces

1. Wash your hands and put on disposable gloves.
2. Begin cleaning your often-used surfaces by getting rid of dust or dirt. Wipe with soapy water or a multi-purpose cleaning spray. Use a fresh hand towel for each surface cleaned.
3. Next, apply a surface-appropriate disinfectant. Some examples include Clorox, Lysol, isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide.
4. Let the CDC approved disinfectant sit on the surface for the proper amount of time. The length of time will vary based on the product, and you can find it in the instructions.
5. Wipe or rinse the disinfectant according to the product instructions.
6. Remove and dispose of your gloves. Then, wash your hands again.