{"id":11059,"date":"2021-07-12T17:55:04","date_gmt":"2021-07-12T17:55:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/?p=11059"},"modified":"2021-07-12T17:56:38","modified_gmt":"2021-07-12T17:56:38","slug":"common-ways-youre-using-disinfectants-wrong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/common-ways-youre-using-disinfectants-wrong\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Ways You\u2019re Using Disinfectants Wrong"},"content":{"rendered":"<h6 style='\"text-align:' right><em>&ndash; family handyman\n<h2>You Don\u2019t Cleaning Before Disinfecting\n</h2><p>Disinfecting is all about the germs in your home. Disinfectants kill bacteria and viruses, but they\u2019re not always the best at wiping up dust, dirt and pet fur. Do the cleaning before disinfecting, like sweeping before mopping, so you don\u2019t just smear dirt around.\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-11060 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/07%5C/smearing-dirty-floor-GettyImages-1270451983-300x300.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"446\"' height='\"446\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/smearing-dirty-floor-GettyImages-1270451983-300x300.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><h2>You Reach For the Bleach For a Quick Cleanup\n</h2><p>Bleach will do the trick but only if you use it correctly. Many people make the\u00a0mistake of cleaning with bleach\u00a0for a short amount of time. \u201cBleach generally takes four-plus minutes of contact time to kill viruses,\u201d says Ledoux. \u201cIf you use bleach, I [actually] recommend a 10- to 15-minute dwell time.\u201d\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-11061 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/07%5C/GettyImages-1132395838-e1586445698944-1-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"476\"' height='\"317\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/GettyImages-1132395838-e1586445698944-1-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n</p><h2>You Use a Disinfectant With a Low Alcohol Concentration\n</h2><p>Eco-friendly products\u00a0are great, but these cleaning options might not always have a high enough alcohol or bleach concentration to\u00a0kill COVID-19. That\u2019s why reading labels is so important, especially now. You should be looking for products that have at least a 70 percent alcohol concentration. If you can\u2019t find your normal go-to products? \u201cOpt for cleaning alcohol itself, which is normally sold in pharmacies,\u201d advises Ledoux. \u201cThe content is important because the higher concentration kills the coronavirus in less than one minute. Plus, it\u2019s effective, doesn\u2019t leave a residue, and evaporates.\u201d\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-11062 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/07%5C/GettyImages-1198144936-1-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"473\"' height='\"315\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/GettyImages-1198144936-1-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n</p><h2>You Don\u2019t Read the Fine Print\n</h2><p>Ignoring a product\u2019s how-to-use instructions is a common mistake by consumers, says Ledoux. \u201c[Professional cleaners] follow the label. The manufacturers perform extensive testing and make their instructions based on that,\u201d she notes. \u201cMany consumers don\u2019t read those labels, and, as a result, don\u2019t allow sufficient dwell time for the product to be effective. If we use a disinfecting spray that\u2019s labeled for two to three minutes but wiped it after 10 seconds, there will be very minimal, if any, cleaning and sanitizing effect.\u201d For example, here are the directions on a can of Lysol: \u201cPre-clean surface. Spray surface until thoroughly wet. Leave for two minutes before wiping.\u201d\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-11063 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/07%5C/GettyImages-1216387840-1-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"506\"' height='\"337\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/GettyImages-1216387840-1-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n</p><h2>You Don\u2019t Read the Fine Print\n</h2><p>Ignoring a product\u2019s how-to-use instructions is a common mistake by consumers, says Ledoux. \u201c[Professional cleaners] follow the label. The manufacturers perform extensive testing and make their instructions based on that,\u201d she notes. \u201cMany consumers don\u2019t read those labels, and, as a result, don\u2019t allow sufficient dwell time for the product to be effective. If we use a disinfecting spray that\u2019s labeled for two to three minutes but wiped it after 10 seconds, there will be very minimal, if any, cleaning and sanitizing effect.\u201d For example, here are the directions on a can of Lysol: \u201cPre-clean surface. Spray surface until thoroughly wet. Leave for two minutes before wiping.\u201d\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-11064 src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/07%5C/GettyImages-1214381499-1-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"473\"' height='\"315\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/GettyImages-1214381499-1-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><h2>You Use Disinfecting Wipes Instead of a Spray\n</h2><p>\u201cWipes are convenient to keep in your purse, briefcase, or backpack for use when you are away from home and need to touch surfaces like shopping carts, door handles, and so forth,\u201d explains Jim Epstein, CEO of Intercon Chemical &amp; Clearly Better, which makes\u00a0PURE Hard Surface Disinfectant. \u201cWhen at home, though, it is best to use a spray disinfectant. Wipes become dirty quickly, and you can overload a wipe, so its disinfectant material loses effectiveness.\u201d\u00a0Antibacterial wipes\u00a0are a time-crunched cleaner\u2019s best friend, but sometimes they\u2019re not the best option\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-11065 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/07%5C/GettyImages-1215497382-e1586451429756-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"485\"' height='\"323\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/GettyImages-1215497382-e1586451429756-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n</p><h2>You Don\u2019t Wash Your Hands Before Cleaning\n</h2><p>Guess what \u2014 you don\u2019t just need to\u00a0wash your hands\u00a0when you come in from outside. You need to wash them before you start cleaning. Otherwise, you\u2019re introducing germs into what should be a clean environment. So before you get started, Lake recommends washing your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water. Then put on a pair of\u00a0disposable gloves\u00a0\u2014 and not just to protect your delicate hands from harsh chemicals. \u201cWhen cleaning, you\u2019re going to come in to contact with many different germ-ridden surfaces,\u201d says Lake.\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-11066 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/07%5C/hand-washing-rotational-rubbing-of-fingers-into-palms-e1586446244308-1-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"489\"' height='\"326\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/hand-washing-rotational-rubbing-of-fingers-into-palms-e1586446244308-1-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n</p><h2>You Ignore Past Magic Erasers\n</h2><p>Meet your new BFF:\u00a0Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. Not only do they remove errant marks on your walls when nothing else can, but they also can also aid your disinfecting efforts. \u201cWhile they do not disinfect, they make it easier to get [the] dirt off of surfaces so a disinfectant can do the work,\u201d says Lake. \u201cI absolutely love\u00a0Magic Erasers\u00a0and use them every single day.\u201d You can use them on high-contact areas that need a good cleaning, including countertops, toilets and door handles before applying your disinfectant of choice.\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-11067 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/07%5C/GettyImages-1145698522-e1586452068971-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"413\"' height='\"275\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/GettyImages-1145698522-e1586452068971-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n</p><h2>You Don\u2019t Try DIYs\n</h2><p>Today, many disinfectants, such as\u00a0hand sanitizer, are sold out as we try to keep our homes safe and clean. But don\u2019t give up. There are some\u00a0DIY recipes\u00a0out there that can help you. \u201cIf you\u2019re in a pinch or short on product, rubbing alcohol, diluted with water, will work,\u201d says Lake. \u201cUse a 50\/50 dilution ration of 50 percent water and 50 percent rubbing alcohol.\u201d\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-11068 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/07%5C/GettyImages-473271272-1-e1586446761569-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"455\"' height='\"303\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/GettyImages-473271272-1-e1586446761569-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n</p><h2>You Use the Same Rag to Clean Multiple Surfaces\n</h2><p>This is a bad habit that many of us have. But when you use the same rag on multiple surfaces, you\u2019re cross-contaminating and giving germs a free ride throughout your house. Instead, use a new rag for each surface. At her company, Lake uses\u00a0color-coded microfiber cloths\u00a0so that employees know what should be used where and how much cleaning the cloths need afterward. \u201cFor example, we use brown microfiber to\u00a0clean toilets and the floor right by the toilet. Those then get double sanitized in the wash,\u201d she explains.\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-11069 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/07%5C/GettyImages-1210080333-e1586452855818-300x199.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"516\"' height='\"342\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/GettyImages-1210080333-e1586452855818-300x199.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n</p><h2>You Forget About Your Remote Control\n</h2><p>Don\u2019t forget to clean your remote control. There\u2019s a specific way to do it, according to\u00a0Consumer Reports. First, remove the batteries. Then turn the device upside down so the buttons are facing downward, and \u201cshake it or tap it against your palm to dislodge any debris that might have fallen between the keys.\u201d Grab a\u00a0compressed air canister\u00a0and give the remote a blast to shake free any additional matter.\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-11070 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/07%5C/GettyImages-1212700534-e1586447140836-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"477\"' height='\"318\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/GettyImages-1212700534-e1586447140836-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n</p><h2>You Use Windex Everywhere\n</h2><p>Glass cleaner is good for windows, mirrors and other glass surfaces. But glass cleaners are not disinfectants, according to Epstein. They\u2019re not intended to kill germs, so there are some\u00a0things you shouldn\u2019t clean with Windex. \u201cMy Big Fat Greek Wedding aside, it\u2019s just a glass cleaner and not a disinfectant,\u201d he says. \u201cWhen you need to disinfect, especially for \u2018high-touch surfaces,\u2019 use a low-toxicity, people-friendly, hospital-grade disinfectant that can be used to both clean and disinfect those hard surfaces: door handles, light switches, bathroom fixtures and handles, kitchen surfaces, and more.\u201d\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-11071 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/07%5C/GettyImages-1055221704-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"485\"' height='\"323\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/GettyImages-1055221704-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n</p><h2>You Don\u2019t Wash Your Clothes in Hot Water\n</h2><p>When it comes to your\u00a0laundry, every load needs to be washed on hot right now, says environmental-toxin expert Tonya Harris, founder of\u00a0Slightly Greener.\u00a0Studies show\u00a0that water needs to be 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher to\u00a0kill viruses and pathogenic bacteria on laundry. To save your clothes from shrinking, Harris recommends drying clothes on normal settings or\u00a0hanging to dry. Also, she adds, make sure that clothes are 100 percent dry before putting them away \u201cso more germs and bacteria don\u2019t grow on your damp fabric.\u201d\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-11072 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/07%5C/GettyImages-1148429492-e1586446937171-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"413\"' height='\"275\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/GettyImages-1148429492-e1586446937171-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><h2>You Use Baby Wipes on Everything, Not Just Babies\n</h2><p>If you\u2019re guilty of using baby wipes to clean surfaces in your home, you\u2019re not alone. It\u2019s an oft-cited parenting and cleaning hack, but know this: Those\u00a0disposable wipes\u00a0are not disinfecting anything. \u201cThey contain gentle ingredients because they are used on skin and moisturizing ingredients meant to soothe,\u201d says Harris. \u201cWhile they may be good for general\u00a0quick cleaning, they are not meant for killing germs and viruses.\u201d The same goes for general cleansing wipes, she adds.\n</p><p><img loading='\"lazy\"' decoding='\"async\"' class='\"' wp-image-11073 aligncenter src="%5C%22http:%5C/%5C/echowoven.com%5C/wp-content%5C/uploads%5C/2021%5C/07%5C/GettyImages-1038228318-1-300x200.jpg%5C%22" alt='\"\"' width='\"525\"' height='\"350\"' title='\"\"' srcset='\"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/GettyImages-1038228318-1-300x200.jpg' https: sizes='\"auto,'>\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n</p><p>&nbsp;\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"</p><p>&ndash; family handyman You Don\u2019t Cleaning Before Disinfecting Disinfecting is all about the germs in your home. Disinfectants kill bacteria and viruses, but they\u2019re not always the best at wiping up dust, dirt and pet fur. Do the cleaning before disinfecting, like sweeping before mopping, so you don\u2019t just smear dirt around. &nbsp; You Reach &hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11076,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[46,6,31,32],"class_list":["post-11059","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tie-life-style","tag-life-hacks","tag-life-style","tag-tips","tag-tricks"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11059","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11059"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11059\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11076"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11059"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11059"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/echowoven.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11059"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}</p></em></h6>