Every homeowner should be aware of how frequently their home should be cleaned. Mopping the floor, cleaning the kitchen, and cleaning the bathroom are all included. However, did you realize that there are other sections of the house that require cleaning as well?
When was the last time you cleaned your doorknobs and light switches, for example? While most homeowners understand the value of cleaning, there are a number of locations in the home that might be overlooked, particularly doorknobs and light switches.
How frequently do you need to clean them?
The fact is that the most bacteria-infested areas in a home are those that are utilized often. What are the objects we frequently touched surfaces? Doorknobs and light switches would have to be on the list.
People carry thousands of germs on a daily basis, and the same hands that touch the doorknobs and light switches surfaces in your home make sure that you use a clean cloth to clean these places in a timely manner. However, maintaining hand hygiene is equally crucial.
Why Hand Hygiene Matters
- Reducing Germ Transfer: Clean hands mean fewer germs transferred to surfaces, making it vital to encourage regular handwashing at home.
- Preventing Contamination: By washing your hands often, you minimize the risk of spreading germs to frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs and light switches.
Cleaning Tips
- Use a clean cloth regularly to wipe down these surfaces.
- Combine this with hand hygiene practices to ensure a healthier environment.
Remember, by simply washing your hands, you not only protect yourself but also maintain cleaner surfaces for everyone in your home.
As a result, these places or surfaces are frequently touched, and they can also be the source of germs that cause colds, flu, E. coli, and other viruses, and washing your hands regularly will prevent them.
What is the best way to clean your doorknobs?
Spray the area with vinegar and wipe dry with a clean towel for a natural, non-toxic cleaning option. Baking soda, for example, can be used to help eliminate smells. Make sure the procedure you’re using doesn’t cause any damage to the surface.
To prepare a more traditional cleaning solution for doorknobs and handles, follow these simple steps:
- Gather Your Ingredients: Use mild dish soap and warm water. These everyday items are perfect for tackling dirt and grime.
- Mix the Solution: In a bowl, mix a few drops of the dish soap with warm water. This combination is gentle yet effective, ensuring that your doorknobs and handles are left sparkling clean without causing harm.
Whether you opt for a vinegar-based spray or a classic soap solution, these methods provide versatile and efficient ways to maintain cleanliness around your home.
Because baking soda is mildly abrasive with warm water, it should not be used on items that are easily scratched or worn. Baking can be added to a soap and water combination if it is safe.
There are cleaning and disinfection wipes available that are quick and simple to use. Lysol and Clorox wipes are two popular brands that check their product label before use. Simply rub them over the Stainless steel doorknob’s surface and let them dry.
Concentrate on the knobs and handles that get the most use throughout the day, such as the front door, bathroom doors, refrigerator doors, microwave doors, and even the small knobs on your kitchen cabinet doors.
Don’t forget about other frequently neglected locations like light switches, remote controls, and your computer mouse and keyboard while you’re at it.
How Frequently Should These Areas Be Clean?
People, particularly adults, get two to three colds each year on average. Children, on the other hand, are considerably more likely to contract the sickness. Because the germs or viruses that cause these illnesses may remain on hard surfaces for weeks, not cleaning them frequently enough might leave you and your family vulnerable to them.
As a result, experts recommend that surfaces such as doorknobs and light switches be cleaned at least twice a week. Disinfecting these locations is critical to preventing dangerous viruses from spreading into your house, especially since flu season is now underway. You may also use a cleaning agent to wipe the switches down more thoroughly once every two weeks.
What’s the Best Way to Clean Doorknobs and Light Switches?
You can clean these surfaces using disinfecting wipes or a spray-on disinfectant for hard-to-reach places. Ensure, however, that the area is moist for at least 10 minutes. This is to ensure that bacteria and other potentially dangerous viruses are eradicated. There are several spray-on disinfectants on the market that can kill the most common germs found in most houses, including cold and flu viruses, Salmonella, and E. Coli.
To effectively disinfect doorknobs and light switches, follow these steps:
- Prepare and Protect:
- Begin by putting on rubber gloves to shield your hands from the disinfectant’s harsh chemicals. This is crucial for safety.
- Remove Surface Debris:
- First, clear away any debris or grime from the surfaces of your light switches or doorknobs. This ensures the disinfectant can work directly on the surface.
- Application of Disinfectant:
- For doorknobs and handles, spray the disinfectant directly onto the surface, making sure to cover the entire area, including the bottom handles of the doorknobs and the full face of the light switch. If using wipes, ensure you thoroughly wipe all surfaces.
- Time for Action:
- Allow the disinfectant to sit on the surfaces for at least the minimum recommended time specified on the product label. This step is crucial as it ensures the disinfectant effectively kills germs, bacteria, and viruses.
- Wipe and Dry:
- After the disinfectant has had time to work, use a clean, dry towel to wipe away any excess liquid. Let the surfaces air dry completely for optimal results.
By following these detailed instructions, you ensure a thorough disinfection process that maintains the cleanliness and safety of your home.
Incorporate these cleaning steps into a regular cleaning routine. Aim to clean and disinfect these high-touch surfaces at least once a week. This consistent schedule helps prevent germs and dirt from accumulating, ensuring a healthier home environment.
During flu season or a pandemic, consider daily disinfection of these areas. High-touch surfaces can be a breeding ground for germs, so more frequent cleaning minimizes the risk of infection.
Encourage good hand hygiene in your household. Regular hand washing can significantly reduce the number of germs transferred to surfaces, keeping your doorknobs and light switches cleaner for longer.
By integrating these habits into your routine, you maintain not only cleaner surfaces but also a healthier home.
Before you clean your brass and copper doorknobs and hardware, keep these things in mind.
Traditional door handle and hinge materials like brass and copper are witnessing a return in favor of modern houses. While they are prone to tarnishing, they are simple to clean with a few common home items and a little elbow work.
Before you begin, there are two questions you should ask yourself:
* Is the hardware solid brass or copper?
* Does it have a clear finish lacquer?
Door Knobs in Solid Brass or Coated Brass
Determine if the brass doorknobs or hardware are solid brass or brass-plated iron, steel, or zinc before cleaning them. Solid brass should only be cleaned with warm soapy water not with any cleaning solution during the cleaning process. Rough polishing or abrasive use will most likely remove the brass coating and cause damage to your components.
Put a magnet on the component in the issue to see what you’re working with. Magnets won’t adhere to solid brass, so if they do, you’re probably dealing with brass-coated knobs or hinges.
When it Comes to Clear-Coated Door Hardware
Your attempts to clear the subsurface substance will fail if your hardware has a highly glossy finish. Mineral spirits or similar solvents can be used to remove transparent coatings and get to the nitty-gritty. After the cleaning procedure, you may always reapply the clear coat.
