Cleaning
How to clean your house when you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have any symptoms of acute respiratory infection
Coronaviruses can survive on surfaces for a long time, but cleaning and disinfecting will kill the viruses. The length of time the virus survives on surfaces varies. The amount of contaminated body fluid (for example respiratory droplets), the type of surface, the temperature, and the humidity all have an impact on how long the virus survives.
It is important to clean before disinfection, as dirt and grime can affect how well a disinfectant works. Clean the surface with detergent and warm water using a clean cloth, then follow with a disinfectant. You can also use combined detergent/disinfectant products.
How often
How often you do this depends on whether it is a:
- Frequently touched surface
- Minimally touched surface
Frequently touched surfaces have a higher risk of spreading viruses. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces several times a day. This includes door handles, tabletops, light switches, handrails, computers and other shared equipment, shared tools, telephones, kitchen equipment, sinks, basins, bathrooms and toilets.
Clean minimally touched surfaces, such as floors, at least once a day. Spot clean ceilings, blinds and walls as required. They do not usually need to be disinfected as well.
Preparation
The person responsible for the cleaning should wash their hands with soap and water or use an alcoholic hand rub before they start and after they finish. If you use gloves makes sure you still practise hand hygiene. A mask and eye protection will prevent splashing of liquid into mucous membranes and can be used when applicable.
Ideally the room being cleaned should be have been vacated by others in quarantine or isolation for 60 minutes and windows/door should be open and fans on.
Disinfectants
The disinfectant must be active against COVID-19. The the TGA has a list of approved disinfectants so you can look up what you have at home to see if it is suitable.
Examples of products from this list you can order online or get others to obtain from the supermarket/pharmacy are:
- MediSOL Surface Spray Disinfectant
- Coles Ultra Hospital Grade Surface Spray Disinfectant
- Dettol Disinfectant Wipes
- Clinell wipes.
Rubbish
Rubbish should be contained in a single use bag and dispensed in the normal trash.
COVID-19 cleaning, disinfection and waste management | Queensland Health