At Angelo’s Cleaning, we hear many customers who are asking us about their rugs and carpets and if Coronavirus can survive on these surfaces.
If so, for how long?
Is the virus transmissible if you are walking or even lying down on the rug?
What about drapes and upholstery and couches?
It can be a bit daunting to think about!
On the news we are hearing more and more about how Covid-19 spreads and travels through the air. There are still many unknowns and the best way to react is to err on the side of caution. Because so many people are being advised to stay at home, how safe is their home if they go out periodically to the store or to pick-up take-out?
COVID-19 is mainly transmitted via aerosols and droplets and it can exist on surfaces such as equipment, utensils, fabric, hair, dust and other particles—for days!
We have some tips for keeping your carpet clean and your home safe for your family.
When consulting the CDC’s website (The Centers for Disease Control & Protection), the most updated guidelines (from May 27, 2020) are listed for cleaning and disinfection for households. The below recommendation is for a household that is either suspected with or confirmed to have Coronavirus.
The CDC Recommends improving ventilation in your home:
- Remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces.
- After cleaning: Launder items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely.
- Otherwise, use products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19 and that are suitable for porous surfaces.
What is the infectious lifespan of the Coronavirus?
Sneezing, coughing, talking, even singing and any kind of physical contact can spread the virus. The infectious lifespan of coronavirus depends on such things as the humidity, air temperature, and whether the surface hosting the virus is porous or smooth. The disease may be spread when people touch contaminated surfaces and then touch their face or mouth or eyes. It can happen in a second.
The CDC states that, “Coronaviruses are thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets. Although the virus can survive for a short period on some surfaces, it is unlikely to be spread from domestic or international mail, products or packaging. However, it may be possible that people can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.”
CLIMATE
A drier, cold climate or environment can extend the lifespan of the virus, whereas a hot and humid one decreases the lifespan.
POROSITY
Viruses such as COVID-19 can also remain infectious for about twice as long on non-porous surfaces than porous surfaces. Because carpets and upholstery are considered porous surfaces — just like clothing, wood, and similar materials — they’re less hospitable to COVID-19 than non-porous ones.
SURFACES
In general, there are two types of surfaces that should be cleaned:
Soft, porous materials:
carpets and rugs, towels, sheets, clothes, sofas and upholstery, soft fabric toys like stuffed animals, etc.
Hard non-porous surfaces:
floors, kitchen surfaces such as countertops (stainless steel, granite, etc), tables and chairs, bathroom sinks & toilets, stair railings, light switch plates and door knobs, computer keyboards sound mouse, television remote controls, recreation equipment, metal or plastic toys, etc.
No one is fully certain of how long Coronavirus can remain active on surfaces, although studies have suggested that it can survive on a surface from a few hours to a few days.
To be on the offensive we must keep our homes as clean as possible especially after being out in public. This means something as simple as removing shoes before entering the home and then treating them with a disinfectant wipe.
Here are some other tips to start with:
General Tips for Cleaning
- Discard rather than clean or disinfect highly contaminated items.
- Use alcohol-based wipes instead of baby wipes to clean surfaces.
- Immediately throw away all disposable cleaning items such as paper towels. Microwave a sponge after use to kill bacteria.
- Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and after you’re done, discard the gloves immediately. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol) This includes after emptying wastebaskets and touching tissues – even after you’ve used gloves it is advisable to wash your hands.
For clothes and other soft, porous materials that can be put in the washing machine
- Launder using a hot water setting and a detergent, that preferably contains color-safe bleach
- Dry clothes on a high heat
- If you have drapes and upholstery that will not fit in a standard washing machine, Angelo’s can help! We can clean your drapes without removing them – hassle-free. Find out more about the benefits of our drapery cleaning service.
How to Keep Your Carpet Clean During Covid-19
- Vacuum regularly to keep dust from spreading into the air and on the carpeting.
- Using a HEPA filter in your vacuum is optimum so that small particles are trapped inside instead of being recirculated in the air.
- For a deeper and professional cleaning of carpets and rugs, Angelo’s includes a free hospital-grade disinfectant with everything we clean until further notice to help ensure a healthier environment for everyone during the Corona Virus outbreak.You can easily schedule a professional cleaning for your rugs, carpets, and upholstery online with no hassles, just click here to get started
