5 Life Hacks to Disinfect Everything

According to the CDC, handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of illness. The agency recommends washing your hands quite frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds at a time. Most people think that hot water is best, but any temperature water will do. Still, when you’re sick, disinfecting as many items as possible helps prevent others from catching your infection or virus.

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With Coronavirus sweeping the world as we speak, people everywhere are looking for the fastest and most effective ways to disinfect everything. I know that I am. I’m here to share my secrets and spread the word so that you can protect yourself, your family, and your coworkers. Best of all, these methods are inexpensive and easy.

1. Boil Heat-Resistant Items

Boiling items is not only a quick and effective way to disinfect them, but it’s also the cheapest since it only requires water from the faucet. Submerge items made of metal, heat-resistant rubber, and durable plastic in boiling water. Note that more delicate things, like toothbrushes, are unlikely to withstand the heat. Stick to boiling items like silverware, baby bottles, and sturdy pet toys. It’s important to note that most dishwashers do not disinfect items, so take this extra step.

Boil plastic and rubber items for 5 minutes and metal objects for 20 minutes.

2. Throw Out Items That Are Hard to Clean

When you’re recovering from an illness, throw out more disposable items that are hard to clean. Things like toothbrushes, sponges, and lip balms. These are items that you touch frequently and accumulate germs. They’re also hard, if not impossible, to sanitize. You’re better off tossing them and buying new ones.

3. Dilute Bleach with Water

Chances are you have a jug of bleach somewhere in the house. The CDC recommends adding one cup of bleach to one gallon of water. Making your disinfectant from materials you already have is inexpensive, and bleach is one of the best sanitizing agents out there. Add the solution to an empty spray bottle or soak items in a pot containing the mixture. An excellent method for cleaning children’s toys, doorknobs, kitchen counters, and hard non-porous surfaces.

Note: Never add bleach to products containing ammonia. It produces highly toxic fumes.

4. Use Rubbing Alcohol

Often available at drug stores for just a few dollars, rubbing alcohol is cheap and excellent at killing bacteria. For items that won’t stand up to boiling water or bleach, rubbing alcohol is the best way to go. You can wipe down hard surfaces using the solution, or soak items for 15 to 20 minutes. Try rubbing alcohol for cleaning makeup brushes, windows, mirrors, and bathroom sinks.

5. Remember Everyday Items

We touch countless items every day, and it’s easy to forget about many of them. How many times did you touch your cellphone today? What about the steering wheel in your car? Your reusable water bottle? The keyboard on your laptop or computer? The TV remotes? Probably too many times to count.

Since these are the things we touch most often, you must disinfect them when you’re sick, especially if others in your household or workplace use them too. For these items, rubbing alcohol is usually the best way to go. For your cellphone, which has more than 17,000 different types of bacteria on it at any given time, apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to a microfiber cloth and wipe it down.

Facts to Remember

You must stay home from work when you’re sick. The more people you encounter, the more likely you are to infect them. Of course, you can’t avoid your children or partner, which is why disinfecting household items is vital to stopping the spread of illness.

Encourage your family members to wash their hands frequently when you’re ill and avoid touching your face and mouth as much as possible. Most importantly, see your doctor if you’re not feeling your best no matter what you do.