Smart Cleaning Even After Covid’s Gone

Keeping a clean, germ-free home is important all the time. But between the flu and COVID-19, our household chores are more important than ever. When cleaning at home, turn to these family-friendly tips:

• Open a window or use a fan

Pick the Right Products

• Look for products with plant-based ingredients
• Know what’s in what you buy! For help decoding labels, see the EWG Guide to Decoding the Labels
• Look for third-party certified products, such as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “Safer Choice”
• Choose fragrance-free products

Reduce Inhalation

• When using spray cleaners, spray into the cleaning cloth and then wipe
• Wear a mask while cleaning

Stay Safe

• Never mix chemical-based cleaning products
• Ensure cleaning products are properly labeled and store them out of the reach of children and pets
• Wear gloves, even for routine cleaning, to avoid skin irritation and dermal absorption of the products

Aim to clean all high-touch areas

• Cabinets and drawer knobs/pulls, Kitchen and bathroom counters, Refrigerator, dishwasher, oven and microwave handles, Cells phones, tablets, keyboards and mice, Remote controls and game controllers Toilets, especially the seat and handle, Faucets

Have a Plan if Someone Gets Sick

• Make sure you have proper cleaning tools on hand to disinfect from COVID-19, including disposable gloves and EPA-registered disinfectants, then follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for cleaning, including isolating the sick person if possible, and cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces daily throughout the rest of the house.