Bleach isn't the answer to COVID-19. What is?
By the way, we know times are tough. Use promocode CLEAN50 at checkout for $50 off your first order!
It’s getting pretty crazy out there. People are trying to bathe in scalding hot water, a certain *someone* is telling us to drink bleach, and others are downing chicken noodle soup to ward off COVID-19. We won’t point fingers, but some of the options are definitely safer than others to try. It’s hard! This is something we haven’t experienced before, but look - we get it. You’ve been reading articles non-stop about this.
So, the Clean Team wanted to help make things more clear as you figure out how to safeguard your home from this corona-chaos and its second wave. Let’s put on our Mythbusters’ hats (which is on Hulu if you’re feeling nostalgic!) and give you helpful practices for your home.
If you’re looking for some COVID-relief services, skip to the bottom to read about our Clean COVID-Kit! If you have any questions about coronavirus and how it affects the items in your home, hit us up:
Clean’s COVID Hotline
Stains with Wayne
Coronamama’s & Coronapapa’s
Being a parent in this unknown time can be really daunting! Be careful when you’re cleaning the home with certain disinfectants. You want to be sure that they’re not harmful to you or anyone in your home. If you haven’t read up on the CDC-recommended preparations for your home, review them here. The CDC also has useful procedures for preparing your family, especially if you’re pregnant or have pets.
A bath sounds nice…
We can see where you all are coming from… heat kills bacteria, no bacteria = no coronavirus? This tactic only works on items, not humans!
The World Health Organization (WHO) said “heck no” to using extreme heat or cold prevent infection. Taking a hot bath, using hair blow dryers, or UV lamps has absolutely no effect on this new Coronavirus strain. Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at AtlantiCare reports "It's not realistic or necessary." "The most effective intervention to prevent the spread of germs is proper hand-washing."
You heard here first. 20 seconds, hot water, pure scrubbin’. Just sing Andy’s verse of Stayin’ Alive from The Office and you’re good. Here’s the clip. You’re so welcome.
Going on your second Whole Foods run of the week?
It seems like everyone and their mom has turned into cardio-fiends. We love to see it! How long does coronavirus stay on clothing? There actually isn’t sufficient research, so take precautions. If you’re going outside or going on a run, make sure to walk to the left or right of someone in front of you. Check out this video from ANSYS on how bacteria can move in the air when you’re on the move. If you are stepping outside (even if it’s quick Whole Foods run or a brief walk to get away from your kids), change your clothes as soon as you get back and throw your clothing into a sealed hamper. Our Clean laundry bags will also suffice.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Can everyone just operate under the Postmates’ “Contactless Delivery?” With everything getting delivered, it’s natural for you to wonder about the handling your packages. Here’s a quick breakdown of materials and length of survival:
Cardboard: up to 1 day
Plastic: between 2-3 days
Stainless Steel (countertops): between 2-3 days
If you can’t wait for your packages to sit out, wear gloves and sanitize with a Clorox wipe the package and all mail outside or in the garage when you receive it. Take the item out, and leave the box in your recycling can.
Kitchen, Kids’ Rooms, Offices
Walk through your home and make note of all the high-contact surfaces. This is where routine cleaning will help prevent sickness from surfacing. When cleaning, wear disposable gloves. Use disinfectant solutions with bleach or at least 70% alcohol. Bleach can corrode a lot of materials, so do your research before using. If you do use it, here’s a recipe: 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach per gallon of water, or 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water. Here are some options on Amazon.
Remember: Bleach OR alcohol.
Bleach AND alcohol are a deadly combo.
Some guidelines:
Don’t dilute any solutions without checking the instructions on the bottle.
Wear gloves!
Isopropyl Alcohol (70% Alcohol): Alcohol is safe on most surfaces. It can discolor plastic, so check the bottle. First, clean the surface with water and your normal surface cleaner. Then, spray the alcohol solution and leave it for at least 30 seconds. Wipe off.
Hydrogen Peroxide: It’s not corrosive, so you can apply this onto metals. Check for other surfaces. Leave on for at least a minute.
Bleach: Bleach can corrode a lot of surfaces, so it would be better to not use it. If you do use it, clean the surface with water and your normal surface cleaner. Then, spray the alcohol solution and leave it for at least 10 minutes. Wipe off.
Don’t forget about doorknobs and light switches. With soft surfaces such as carpets, rugs, drapes, you most likely will be unable to clean it effectively at home with household cleaners without ruining the textile. Here’s the info for our Interior Clean Team for a consultation: marleen@clean.nyc or (347) 366-9603.
Clean’s COVID-Kit
COVID-19 is changing quickly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recognized dry cleaning and laundry as an essential business due to the transmission of the bacteria through clothing. We’re a member of the Dry Cleaning and Laundry Institute (DLI) and we’re working with other leading dry cleaners share protocols and disinfecting practices as we discover them. You can trust Clean’s virus-mitigation services as New York looks to open up again soon, especially to prevent a second wave.
By the way, we know times are tough. Use promocode CLEAN50 at checkout for $50 off your first order!
Essentials: Laundry
Our staple dry cleaning and Personalized Laundry are CDC-compliant. All essentials are cleaned at the proper temperature to mitigate flu viruses. We recommend that all clients should send in bed and bath linens at least once per week. All garments sent in should be in a liner such as a garbage bag to prevent contamination. Our Clean laundry bags work!
Athleisure Wear
Wearing your Outdoor Voices and lululemon under your Zoom top? We got you. Check out our athletic-wear focus that will keep the integrity of your workout wear intact, even if you’re doing less working out and more lazin’ about. Did we mention you can choose your on detergent from our Detergents on Tap™?
Babies, Toddlers, Kids
They’re probably making a mess as we speak. A lot of us on the Clean Team are parents, so we know how crazy it is at home. We’ve been relying on Clean’s Personalized Laundry: Baby Focus nonstop. It really helps to have one less thing to clean/think about. If you have kids that are dealing with eczema, we have some hypoallergenic options that work wonders.
Home
When was the last time you cleaned your sheets? You’re probably/definitely spending more time in bed. 😉If it takes you longer than 5 seconds to remember, schedule it and forget about it. Now that we’re all home more, we recommend sending in bed and bath linens at least once per week.
Rugs, Carpets, Drapes
These guys are allergen-collectors. Rugs, carpets, and drapes are usually in high-contact areas, so they’re constantly exposed to bacteria. Schedule a monthly cleaning with our Interior Team to safeguard your home: marleen@clean.nyc or (347) 366-9603.
That’s it! We’ve got you covered from head to toe, floor to ceiling. If you have any questions or concerns about the handling of your clothing or linens, read about our safety protocols here. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions about a specific garment or area in your home. As we monitor COVID-19, we will continue to innovate and send out practices that you can do at home. We both can do our part to flatten the curve.
Stay clean, NYC!