Clean up with WW

Staying clean

Now more than ever, we need to talk about the importance of cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing the objects we interact with every day. Cleaning and disinfecting are part of the first line of defense in preventing the spread of infectious disease in our home and in our community. Let’s take this time to come clean!

First off, what’s the difference?

When you hear about the importance of cleaning, you might hear these terms thrown around and might not know the difference between them: cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing. Here are the differences according to the CDC:

• Cleaning removes germs and impurities from surfaces and objects. By using soap or detergent, you are physically removing the germs from a surface. Cleaning doesn’t kill germs, but the physical removal of germs helps to reduce the risk of spreading infection.
• Disinfecting kills germs with the use of chemicals but doesn’t necessarily clean dirty surfaces or objects. However, disinfecting after cleaning surfaces can greatly reduce the risk of spreading infection. ( Click here for a list of EPA-approved disinfectants.)
• Sanitizing lowers the number of germs to a safe level, usually determined by public health standards.

How should I clean my space?

Now that you know the difference between each of these terms, it’s time to clean your space! Here are some tips from a great article from Healthline:

• Regularly wipe down surfaces you touch frequently, especially in your kitchen. After cleaning countertops with soap and water, disinfect them with bleach OR ammonia. (Do not use both because combined they can produce harmful chemicals!)
• Sanitize flush handles on your toilets.
• Shake out rugs and steam clean your carpets as often as you can.
• Consider using an air purifier to capture any infected respiratory droplets or aerosols.

The benefits of a clean space

Did you know that adopting this healthy home habit can actually be good for you? Here are five benefits, along with some extra tips to achieve them:

• Boosts your immune system by reducing the number of allergens you breathe in
• Reduces stress and depressionby decluttering your space and keeping it tidy
• Prevents illnesses by regularly cleaning surfaces you touch daily
• Motivates you to make healthy choices like increasing physical activity and healthy eating
• Lowers your risk of injury, especially in adults over the age of 65

Slow the Spread!