How Long Can Viruses Live on Surfaces and How to Disinfect

Any virus that transmits from one person to another either directly or via an infected surface can create an epidemic, and that’s what’s happening with a widespread of Coronavirus all across the world. According to the latest reports, this merciless COVID-19 has killed more than 16,550 people across the globe.

As the coronavirus outbreak continues to accelerate, it becomes imperative for every individual to take the right precautions and sanitise their hands and disinfect the infected surfaces frequently. Each virus particle consists of a micro-set of gens, enclosed by molecules that can be torn apart by soap if you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.

You should also keep the infected surfaces clean using the best disinfectant sprays. If you are moving out of your rental premises, then consider hiring professionals who can perform thorough bond cleaning in Sunshine Coast. They can deep clean your premises using the most effective cleaning and disinfecting products.

Viruses Lingering On the Surfaces

But the biggest question is ‘how long can the viruses (new coronavirus) live on surfaces?’ As per the doctors and researchers, it has been found that the virus can linger on copper surfaces up to 4 hours, on cardboard surfaces up to 24 hours and stainless steel and plastic up to 72 hours. The virus can contaminate surfaces when an infected person coughs, sneezes or touches the surface with the infected hand.

Virus-laden respiratory droplets can spread on surfaces like doorknobs, handrails, elevator buttons and countertops and can linger for 72 hours. The virus is spreading to those who are touching these infected surfaces, and this is one of the reasons why disinfecting high-touch surfaces have become imperative.

Since prevention is better than cure, make sure you maintain good personal hygiene, wash your hands properly for 20 seconds with soap and thoroughly clean and disinfect your house, including different surfaces in Sunshine Coast.

How to Disinfect the Infected Surfaces?

The good news about COVID-19 is that it doesn’t need any special cleaning chemical to disinfect dirty hands and contaminated surfaces. First, you need to get rid of germs, dust particles, dirt and debris from surfaces around your living space. However, cleaning doesn’t kill bacteria, but it reduces the number of spreading infection. To kill germs, you need to disinfect the visibly dirty surfaces, especially stainless-steel, cardboard and plastic surfaces.

1. Use Effective Cleaners and Disinfectants

If you want to prevent the spread of the deadly virus, then you need to invest in the most effective cleaning and disinfectant products. It is believed that alcohol-based disinfectants can kill 99.9 per cent germs from contaminated surfaces. You can also use ammonia-based household cleaning products or disinfectant-wipes to get the best results.

Many people in Sunshine Coast are washing and scrubbing surfaces with hot, soapy water- which won’t kill germs. Of course, you can use this trick, but with different cleaning solutions.

Diluted household bleach solution and disinfectants containing at least 70% alcohol should work wonders in killing lingering germs from infected surfaces. You can prepare a bleach solution at home by mixing 4-5 tablespoon of bleach with a gallon of water. Use this solution to high-touch areas in your home.

If you don’t have time to prepare DIY disinfectant at home, you can buy a product that can kill RSB, SARS, Influenza and coronaviruses. Make sure you read the labels and buy the one that has at least 70 % alcohol. You can purchase the following disinfectant products from your local store:

• Isopropyl alcohol
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Disinfecting Wipes (Lysol, Clorox and other renowned band)
• Disinfectant Sprays

Note: Never mix bleach with household cleaning products as it can create toxic fumes and can be damaging for the surface.

2. Target High-Touch Surfaces

Viruses can linger 4 hours on Copper surfaces, 72-hours on stainless steel and plastic surfaces and 24 hours on cardboard surfaces. This means you need to clean and disinfect such areas as frequently as possible.

It is good to disinfect all those surfaces where you and your family leave fingerprints every day. Cleaning has several mental health benefits along with physical health of your family. To prevent the spread of coronavirus, you can wipe-off the following surfaces using the alcohol-based disinfectants:

• Doorknobs
• Toilet Handles
• TV Remote
• Light Switches
• Countertops and Tabletops
• Drawer Pulls
• Faucets
• Refrigerator, oven, dishwasher and microwave doors and control panels

 If someone in your family is sick, then keep them away from kids and elders. Make sure you clean and disinfect these surfaces as quickly as possible.

3. Sanitise Your Cell Phone

Washing or sanitising hands won’t save you from coronavirus because your cell phone is one of the infected items that you pick up after washing your hands. It is covered with harmful germs or pathogens.

Studies have found that smartphone surfaces contain bacteria that can cause serious infections such as Staphylococcus species. Apart from this, phones are held close to nose, mouth and nose, where germs can travel and enter the body.

So, don’t forget to wipe your cell phones down on a frequent basis.

Tip: Do not rub the surface of your phone if you are using an alcohol-based sanitiser.

Conclusion

Although transmission of viruses from person-to-person has higher risk than transmission through surfaces, make sure you clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces at home using effective disinfectant wipe. You should know how long can virus can live on surfaces and disinfect it accordingly.

If you are running at the end of your lease period, then consider hiring experts for attention-to-detail bond cleaning in Sunshine Coast who can clean and disinfect every nook and cranny of the premises before the final inspection.