High-Touch Surfaces: When and How to Clean

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when soap and cleaning supplies weren’t available because consumers had made panic purchases of everything stores had on their shelves, I heard some folks joke that before the pandemic people must not have been washing their hands or cleaning their homes on a regular basis.

Of course, most consumers did have some of these supplies in their homes, but they wanted to stock up on them. This makes sense because experts recommend that we frequently clean high-touch surfaces and carefully wash our hands in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. I think most of us understand how to wash our hands, but what about cleaning high-touch surfaces? What constitutes a high-touch surface? How exactly should we clean these? How often do we need to clean them? Here are some answers.

Examples of high-touch surfaces

What surfaces get touched often will vary from one home to the next. For example, if you turn a fan on and off a couple of times each day, then the switch on the fan is a high-touch surface in your home. Other folks may only use fans on occasion, which means the switches on their fans aren’t high-touch surfaces. The following are high-touch surfaces in most homes. However, take a moment to mentally walk through a typical day so you can identify any other surfaces that are relevant in your home.

• Light switches and switches on lamps
• Doorknobs (on both sides) and locks (deadbolts, chains, etc.)
• Keys
• Wallets
• Handles and knobs on large kitchen appliances (fridge, microwave, stove, etc.)
• Handles and knobs on small kitchen appliances (handle of coffee pot, buttons on toaster, etc.)
• Drawer pulls and cabinet knobs
• Counters (kitchen and bathroom)
• Dining chairs (back, arms, and seat)
• Tabletops
• Sink knobs (kitchen and bathrooms)
• Bathtub and shower knobs
• Toilets (handle and seat)
• Items used for personal care (hair brush handle, tooth brush handle and toothpaste tube, lotion bottles, etc.)
• Phones (cellular and landlines)
• Earbuds or headphones
• Computers (keyboards, touchscreens, mouses, etc.)
• Tablets
• Desk (top surface, drawer pulls, cabinet knobs, etc.)
• Remote controls
• Game controllers
• Handles of car doors
• Steering wheel, dashboard (radio control buttons, air vents, etc.), and turn signal switch of car
• Gear shift of car
• Rearview mirror of car
• Washer and dryer (knobs/screens and door handles)

How to clean high-touch surfaces

Here is how experts recommend we go about cleaning these surfaces.

Solid surfaces (excluding electronics)

• Wipe the surfaces with soap and water to remove dirt, grime, and some germs.
• After wiping them with soap, disinfect the surfaces using an EPA-registered household disinfectant that targets human coronavirus. Follow all label instructions for safe, effective use. Never use these products on people, only on surfaces.

Electronics

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for disinfecting each device. If no guidance is provided, then use alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol. Allow device surfaces to dry completely before handling
• For easier cleaning, consider putting wipeable covers on electronics.

For soft surfaces (such as couches and rugs)

• Scrub surfaces with soap and water or a cleaner designed for cleaning upholstery or carpet.
• Launder items (if possible) or disinfect with an EPA-registered household disinfectant.

For clothes and linens

• Launder items according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the warmest water setting recommended by the manufacturer.
• Do not shake dirty laundry (this may dislodge germs into the air or onto other surfaces).
• Clean and disinfect hampers and laundry baskets according to the above guidance for surfaces.
• Wash your hands immediately after handling the laundry.

Dishes and utensils

• Wash dishes by hand in hot, soapy water or wash in a dishwasher.
• Do not use household disinfectants on dishes and utensils.

How often should we clean high-touch surfaces?

According to the CDC, we should clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces at least daily. However, they indicate that more frequent cleaning may be needed for the surfaces that are touched the most. Some experts even encourage households to wipe down high-touch surfaces several times each day.

Final thoughts

For safety, follow the CDC’s advice for using disinfectants:

Always read and follow the directions on the label to ensure safe and effective use.

-Wear skin protection and consider eye protection for potential splash hazards
-Ensure adequate ventilation
-Use no more than the amount recommended on the label
-Use water at room temperature for dilution (unless stated otherwise on the label)
-Avoid mixing chemical products
-Label diluted cleaning solutions
-Store and use chemicals out of the reach of children and pets
-You should never eat, drink, breathe or inject these products into your body or apply directly to your skin as they can cause serious harm. Do not wipe or bathe pets with these products or any other products that are not approved for animal use.

One day, shortly after the pandemic began, I wiped down the railings along the staircase that leads to the second floor of our home. I was shocked at how dirty the cleaning cloth became! Unfortunately, I often overlook some high-touch surfaces when I complete routine cleaning. I’m guessing that even after the pandemic passes I’ll likely pay more attention to these!

For additional details on cleaning during the pandemic, please visit my sources:

• Cleaning And Disinfecting Your Home
• Every High-Touch Surface You Should Clean to Help Keep Coronavirus Germs at Bay
• High-Touch Surfaces to Clean and Disinfect Daily

Has the pandemic changed the way you clean your home? If so, how? What surfaces in your home do you need to clean most often?

Shared at the following:

Encouraging Hearts and Home, Over the Moon, and Busy Monday.