The only ways to slow down the spread of COVID-19 infection is to maintain a social distance and prevent the spread of infection by staying germ free. One should practice constant hand sanitizing and washing. Apart from this, there are various ways, by which this virus can spread. You cannot avoid getting groceries, and you can also carry the virus to your homes along with these! Medical community along with the scientists are still finding different ways through which this virus transfers into others however, they had agreed that good hygiene is a vital step in combating COVID 19. Corona virus can easily be destroyed by disinfecting materials containing alcohol, bleach, soap, detergents or ammonium compound based formulation.

As per CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) the best measure to avoid COVID-19 is to clean the surface & use disinfectants further on that surface. One should practice using gloves while working or when exposed, to avoid coming in contact with the infection. To prevent the spread of infection, the gloves should be discarded after every use in a proper manner.

Although the use of cleaning and sanitizing solutions has increased since the outbreak of virus, there’s still a lack of proper usage of these products. People use the products in different ways that they think are effective. However, the correct way of using the product makes it the most effective and useful. The steps on the products should be considered as a guide for its proper use. This will make sure that the product is working in the best of its capabilities.

13. Hands

Washing your hands with a soap should be your priority. However, when washing hands is not possible then it can be substituted with a sanitizer. Effective sanitizers are the ones which contain at least 60 % Isopropyl alcohol as its ingredient. Contaminated hands are very dangerous and can spread infection when you touch your face. Whether you are returning from grocery shopping or bringing anything else from outside it is recommended to wash the front & backside of your fingers & fingernails thoroughly for at least 20 seconds in total as a precautionary measure.

12. Spectacles/eye-wear

Sunglasses and spectacles are touched frequently and are important to be worn. One cannot avoid wearing them but can definitely clean them to maintain safety. The glasses can be washed with soap and water regularly or can also be cleaned with a special disinfecting wipes. A consult with an eye wear vendor can help figure out the most effective method of cleaning without damaging the glasses.

11. Phones

Most of us have a habit of putting our phones handy by keeping them in hands or either in our shopping carts. This makes our phones a very potent source of the spread of infection. One should avoid putting them anywhere but their bags or pockets. Phones have a very high probability of carrying viruses and bacteria. They should be cleaned regularly after and before use. In order to disinfect your phones alcohol-based wipes are recommended which should contain at least 70% of Isopropyl alcohol.

10. Purse/wallet

These items are one of the few items that are the most touched and contain numerous germs. Their usage in shopping malls, grocery stores, petrol stations and many other places collect all kinds of bacteria and viruses on them. Once a person is home, he/she should thoroughly and safely clean these items, keeping in mind the cleaning instructions to avoid any damage. Also, it is better to minimize contact with these items at home to avoid contamination of other things like door knobs, kitchen utensils etc. One way to limit germ virus exposure is to put your driver’s license and a credit/debit card some cash in a zip lock bag before you head out to the market. Bring only what you need.

9. Keys

Your hands are probably the most exposed to germs and virus prior to being washed. So when you go and grab your keys… guess what? All that germs/virus are transferred over. You car keys and house keys are so often used right after you’ve exposed yourself from the outside world. Keep a small bottle of rubbing alcohol and spray down your keys before you hang them up or put them in the basket/drawer when you get home. You can never be too careful.

8. Reusable grocery bags

Although environmental friendly, but paper reusable bags can be a source of infection at this time. The virus can survive of on a paper bag for a day or even more. Apart from this, these reusable cloth or paper bags are difficult to clean as compared to the synthetic plastic bags which are no porous and can easily be sanitized effectively. However, if a person still prefers using the environmental friendly bag (specifically cloth based), he/she should make sure to completely disinfect it after each use. This can be done by thoroughly washing it with soap or detergent, as well as sanitizing it with a sanitizing solution, before putting it to dry in air/sun. Not only this but one should also keep in mind the things that come in contact with the shopping bags and sanitize them too. For example, the surface of the car seat, floor, tables or counter.

7. Items bought

The things that you are about to put in your pantry were once at the store, exposed to all kinds of germs. These products were touched by various people and put on infected shelves. Of course, they need to be cleaned too. One can use a spray made of disinfecting solution and water. The surfaces of the bought products can be sprayed and then cleaned with a wipe to make sure they are germ free and can safely be kept at a clean place in your pantry. Also! Don’t forget to clean the place where you put the store-bought items initially as it is contaminated. Do not forget to wash your hands after the task is done.

6. Car

Along with your houses, your car can also be contaminated with the virus. There are various things in the car that can accommodate the virus for long periods of time. Once touched, these surfaces can cause transfer of viruses to people who can further aid in the spread of infection. The most common places that can get easily contaminated are steering wheel, hand break and gear, audio/video player screen and switch, mirrors, door and window switches, seat belt and a lot more. These places should be cleaned properly without causing them any damage. The user manuals can be used to use the suitable method of disinfecting the objects.

5. Common touch spots

Apart from the hands and clothes, the common spots that are being touched frequently can prove dangerous. These include door knobs, window handles, garage door, doorbell, keys etc. Spraying these surfaces with disinfecting solution every now and then can eliminate the risk of contamination and spread of infection.

4. Clothes

Washing clothes are one of the most important things to do once returned from outside. Washing clothes using washing machine and utilizing its water heating ability is the best possible way to wash. Bleach can also be added for the fabrics that can tolerate it.  The virus can spread through air hence, it is advisable to not carry it all around and wash it as soon as possible. Once you are done with washing clothes it is advised to thoroughly wash your hands as a precautionary measure.

3. Footwear

It is a fact that you can bring germs, bacteria and viruses into your house if you do not remove your shoes before you enter your home. Shoes are one of the items that are difficult to clean therefore it would be a wise measure to restrict the entry of shoes inside your home. However, if you have shoes made of washable material then it is recommended to use such shoes while going out & wash them once you return back with your other laundry items.

2. Jewelry/ornaments

Jewelry can be a source of spread of infection. This is because it is usually designed with intricate details which can be a feasible place for the tiny virus to stay. Even if a person practices regular washing of hands, the jewelry items worn might not be cleaned thoroughly and still contain virus. A proper and focused sanitizing method should be used to clean the ornaments. This can be done by submerging the items in disinfecting solution or washing the items with a brush and sanitizing liquid/soap.

1. One’s body

The last but not the least, our bodies should be cleansed thoroughly too. Taking a proper bath and washing hair is important. Not only this but using soap is also needed. Soap helps getting rid of the virus and bacteria completely. However, people with normal to dry skin face the issue of drier and flakier skin due to frequent washing of skin. Increasing the usage of moisturizing creams and lotion can help in this case.