These cleaning and disinfection habits must continue at home after a year of pandemic

Almost a year ago, Ecuadorians did not imagine that the routine they carried out would undergo constant change due to the effects of a disease that seemed distant, COVID-19.

However, the negative impact on health and the economy generated disease prevention habits, such as hygiene, which goes beyond cleaning with a broom and is carried out with disinfectants and in many cases with steam. That is why it is important to know the difference between cleaning and disinfection .

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EL UNIVERSO consulted companies specializing in these two activities that help prevent health problems in homes, businesses, public meeting places, etc.

“Cleaning is removing dirt from surfaces, probably from germs that may be on the surface. Disinfection is much deeper and much more specific, to kill viruses, bacteria, fungi, spores, etc.”, explains Raúl Muñoz, manager of Rubasa SA For this last purpose, chemical products are used whose specifications detail their way of being used. use and recommendations to avoid health problems.

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In the most difficult months of the pandemic, which currently registers almost 300,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 , according to the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), many households implemented cleaning and disinfection methods for products, clothing, footwear, objects, bathrooms etc.

Disinfection trays?

One of these habits is the disinfection of footwear with a steel or plastic tray with a chemical that, according to the companies consulted, should be carried out only if it is necessary to enter the home with the shoes, since the only thing that is disinfected is the sole

“The easiest way is to enter the house without shoes, it will avoid bringing pollution from the street to your house, that should be a habit, you can use only one pair of shoes to go to the street and always leave them outside or at the entrance. from your house, retire and store in a shoe rack”, suggests María Emilia Sarmiento, manager of the Administrative and Quality area of ​​Cleaning SA

If necessary, these trays must be sanitized three times a week, to avoid accumulation of dirt and to renew the chemical that, due to its exposure to the environment, loses effectiveness.

Nathaly Ortiz, Homie advisor, another company in the industry, agrees with Sarmiento and adds that families must "have a fixed place where they can change clothes and disinfect shoes, as close as possible to the entrance."

Countless families are still experiencing the drama of keeping relatives in hospitals due to the new coronavirus, so they have to physically go to those places. According to the MSP, there are more than 1,300 people hospitalized for COVID-19 , as of March 11. Ortiz emphasizes that people who visit health homes must "remove all clothing used (pants, jackets, shirts, among others) outside the common areas of the house and, if necessary, disinfect footwear with chlorine, fifth generation alcohol or ammonium”, with the use of protective clothing such as gloves, mask and visors.

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Regarding the use of quaternary ammonium, consulted chemists recommend using it with said safety garments so that there is no contact with the skin, since it can produce adverse effects over time.

Inside the house there are several points considered by experts to be critical: the kitchen, the living room and the bathrooms, especially the one intended for visits, due to its high circulation of people, humidity, temperature and the factor related to the exposure of the hands.

Alexander Orellana, owner of Limpalbet SA suggests the use of steam equipment, which in the market costs between $50 and $500.

“Visitor bathrooms can be disinfected with vaporizing equipment that is not very expensive. It is scientifically certified that it fights COVID-19 and other microorganisms due to its degree of heat. It is extremely hot, it is preferable”, highlights Orellana, who also refers to traditional chemical-based disinfection alternatives.

"If you don't give us the money, use bleach, spray disinfectants and a clean rag."

How to clean bathrooms

María Emilia Sarmiento, manager of the Administrative Area and Quality of Cleaning SA, advises using different microfibers, rags or sponges according to the place to be cleaned: “You cannot clean a toilet and a sink with the same instruments because cross contamination occurs, it is It is important that you differentiate the instruments by colors, in the market they sell color packs, you can choose one for each use that you are going to give it”.

She also warns that it is important not to mix chemicals, as it can cause poisoning. Therefore, it is recommended to read the instructions or labels.

For the health of her family, know what mixtures should be avoided when using cleaning products.

Where to start bathroom cleaning

Start with the sink and shower, and end with the toilet. In the latter, internal and external cleanliness is important, specialists suggest.

In addition to this, other frequent contact points must be disinfected: water faucets, switch, door plate. “When you enter a bathroom, you open the door, turn on the light and turn on the water tap with dirty hands, which is why it is very important to apply a disinfectant at these points all the time,” adds Sarmiento.

Disinfection must be carried out every time the bathroom is used. There should be a dispenser of paper towels for drying hands.

On the other hand, Raúl Muñoz, manager of Rubasa SA, suggests that families change disinfectants every six months to prevent microorganisms from acquiring resistance.

“I have that particular policy in my house. Every once in a while I change the disinfectant, I put chlorine in it, I try to dilute chlorine in water to clean the floor, then I can use the disinfectant,” he says. (I)