It’s hard to believe that a virus can so disrupt our entire world and, for over eight months now, continue to influence the way we live and go about our daily lives. For many people staying in their living spaces has become the norm. Even now, as more businesses are opening and some schools are as well, people still want to keep their homes free from the coronavirus in as many ways as possible. Ideally, of course, having professional cleaners clean through your home every day would be the best solution, but that is not likely for most. However, there are several ways a home can be protected from spreading the coronavirus.

• Probably the most important is to make sure all who live in the home do not have symptoms of the virus and if they do have them tested immediately. If their test is positive, have an area as separate as possible from other family members during the recovery time. All members of the household will be required to quarantine for two weeks and then be tested.
• While being in the home, face masks and gloves are not necessary, but family members should wear them in pubic and dispose of the gloves and keep used face masks in a sealed receptacle when returning home.
• Have a box of disposable face masks and a container of hand sanitizer available at any entrance where a visitor would enter. Without being rude, don’t allow anyone who is sick inside your home.
• Keep all surfaces in your home as clean as possible. Wipe areas such as counters, tabletops, appliances, and bathrooms regularly with a product designed to kill the virus. You can make your own cleaning solution using alcohol with at least 70% alcohol and then apply with paper towels. Using cloths may be more economical, but it is also costly to use hot water, bleach, and strong soap to disinfect the cloths after use.
• Provide paper towels at all areas where hand washing will take place along with plenty of soap. Regular soap is fine as too much anti-bacterial soap can actually destroy the body’s natural resistance to germs.
• Provide a covered, lined waste receptacle in every room to encourage proper disposing of any trash. Liners can be recycled bags.
• Educated members of the household from small children to older adults on the importance of handwashing, keeping hands away from the face as much as possible, and always covering a cough or sneeze. Be careful not to scare young children with the statistics regarding illness and death but do stress the importance of handwashing and covering their mouths when necessary.
• Keep up with cleaning your home on a daily basis. Try enlisting the help of all who live in the home, using reasonable rewards to help motivate. These rewards can be for adults, too, such as a favorite meal or a foot rub.
• Remember when cleaning to wipe surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, computer keyboards, and electronic surfaces. This is especially true for children who spend a lot of time on electronics and are prone to put their fingers in or near their mouths.

While there is no way to eliminate all germs from a home, a vigilant following of the above suggestions will make a very positive difference. Ideally, as well, it would be most beneficial to have your home professionally cleaned at least once a month, oftener, if possible. If you live in the Ocala, Florida area, including Orlando, Gainsville, and The Villages, Cassie’s Meticulous Touch Cleaning service is prepared to clean your home during these trying times properly. Cassie has successfully been in the cleaning business for over 20 years and has many recommendations regarding her work. You can call her office at (352 ) 216-0513 if you have questions or would like to get an estimate. You will receive 40% off your first cleaning.