Health experts agree that the most important measures for preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus as the U.S. grapples with rising COVID-19 rates are social distancing, mask wearing, and practicing good hand hygiene.
That said, disinfecting high-touch objects and surfaces — doorknobs, kitchen countertops, and the like — is another best practice to stop the spread of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses like the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As the 2020-21 flu season begins, you may feel increasingly motivated to go on the offensive against germs.
It’s important to realize that cleaning and disinfecting are not one and the same, says Susan Donelan, MD, the medical director of healthcare epidemiology at Stony Brook Medicine in New York. “Cleaning is removing as much visible dirt and material as possible. Cleaning gets rid of the debris and any impurities that are on the surface of whatever it is that you’re looking to disinfect,” she says.
Disinfection usually is a chemical-based process intended to kill germs, says Dr. Donelan, adding, “Cleaning makes the disinfection process more efficient and effective.”
You likely have questions about specifics, starting with the best way to clean your hands (is sanitizer better than soap and water?). You may also be wondering, how often do you need to clean your cell phone and what’s the best way to do it? Do you really need to worry about your shoes tracking the coronavirus into your house? How should you disinfect the bedding of someone who is sick with COVID-19 or the flu?
Experts offer the answers to these and other urgent questions here.