When and how to clean surfaces in your home

• Focus on high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, tables, handles, light switches, and countertops.
• Clean other surfaces in your home when they are visibly dirty or as needed.
• Clean them more frequently if any person in your household is unwell.
• Clean surfaces using a product suitable for each surface.

Reduce contamination of surfaces

• Take steps in your home to limit contamination of surfaces from airborne particles or from touching surfaces with contaminated hands.
• Follow the guidance for fully vaccinated people before inviting any visitors to your home.
• Have everyone in your household wash hands often, especially when returning from outside activities.

Disinfect Your Home When Someone Is Sick

In addition to cleaning, disinfect your home when someone is sick or if someone who is positive for COVID-19 has been in your home within the last 24 hours. Disinfecting kills any remaining germs on surfaces and reduces the spread of germs. If you are caring for someone who has COVID-19, detailed instructions for caregivers are available.

How to disinfect

The safest approach is to hire a specialized disinfection company that uses Health Canada authorized disinfectants and a trained team of experts. Contact SafeCan for additional assistance.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Bedrooms and Bathrooms When Someone Is Sick

• Provide dedicated cleaning and disinfecting supplies to the person who is sick.
• Supplies include tissues, paper towels, cleaners, and EPA List N.
  • Wear gloves.
  • Only clean and disinfect the area around the person who is sick when needed (when the area is soiled) to limit your contact with the person who is sick.
  • Open outside doors and windows and use fans and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) settings to increase air circulation.

Alternatively, wait a period of 3 days after the person who was sick was in the space; after 3 days, no additional cleaning (aside from regular cleaning procedures) is needed.

After eating

• Wear gloves when handling dishes and utensils for the person who is sick.
• Wash dishes and utensils with soap and hot water or in the dishwasher.
• Clean hands after taking off gloves or handling used items.

Handling trash

• Use a dedicated, lined trash can for the person who is sick.
• Use gloves when removing garbage bags and handling and disposing of trash.
• Wash hands after disposing of the trash.

Tips for using chemical disinfectants safely

• Always follow the directions on the label of cleaning and disinfection products to ensure safe and effective use.
• Wear gloves and consider glasses or goggles for potential splash hazards to eyes.
• Ensure adequate ventilation (for example, open windows).
• Use only the amount recommended on the label.
• If diluting with water is indicated for use, use water at room temperature (unless stated otherwise on the label).
• Label diluted cleaning or disinfectant solutions.
• Store and use chemicals out of the reach of children and pets.
• Do not mix products or chemicals.
• Do not eat, drink, breathe, or inject cleaning and disinfection products into your body or apply them directly to your skin as they can cause serious harm.
• Do not wipe or bathe people or pets with any surface cleaning and disinfection products.
• Special considerations should be made for people with asthma.
• Some cleaning and disinfection products can trigger asthma. Learn more about reducing your chance of an asthma attack while disinfecting to prevent COVID-19.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Different Types of Surfaces

Soft surfaces

• For soft surfaces such as carpet, rugs, and drapes
• Clean the soft surfaces (carpets, rugs, and drapes) with soap and water or with cleaners made for use on these surfaces.
• Launder items (if possible) using the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.
• Disinfect using an EPA List N product for use on soft surfaces if needed.
• Vacuum as usual. If vacuuming an area occupied by a sick person or someone positive for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, wear a mask when vacuuming.

Laundry

• Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.
• It is safe to wash dirty laundry from a person who is sick with other people’s items.
• If handling dirty laundry from a person who is sick, wear gloves and a mask.
• Clean clothes hamper or laundry baskets according to guidance for surfaces.
• Wash hands after handling dirty laundry.

Electronics

• Consider putting a wipeable cover on electronics (for example, phones, tablets, touchscreens, keyboards, and remote controls) to make cleaning easier.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning the electronic device.
• If needed, use a disinfectant from the EPA List N but note that many of the products for electronics contain alcohol because it dries quickly.