It seems that everything is being affected by COVID-19, even your flooring. Have no fear, we are still here to serve your family’s flooring needs. We would also like to address a common question that customers have about their floors. Whether it’s COVID-19, the seasonal flu, or the common cold, it’s important to protect you and your family from germs. You know about washing your hands and not touching your face, but how do you keep your floors germ free?
Cleaning vs. Disinfecting
There is a big difference between cleaning your home and disinfecting your home.
- Cleaning removes dirt and germs (but doesn’t kill them).
- Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs on surfaces but doesn’t remove them or dirt.
Which should you do? It depends.
If no one in your home has been exposed to a virus
If no one in your home is sick, all you need to do is clean daily to reduce the spread and follow the CDC’s recommendations of frequent and thorough hand washing to maintain a healthy household. There is no need for additional disinfecting.
If someone in your home has been exposed to a virus
This applies to COVID-19, the seasonal flu, the common cold, or any other virus. Again, it’s important to clean hard surfaces prior to disinfecting, to remove any accumulated dirt and reduce the number of germs. Then you should disinfect using a sanitizing solution. If you use a product that is sold commercially, know the difference between cleaners that kill bacteria and ones that kill viruses. Many anti-bacterial cleaning agents are also disinfectants that will kill viruses but double-check the label and make sure that you have a virus-killing disinfectant. Carefully review the manufacturer’s instructions prior to use, to know how long your disinfectant needs to be in contact with the surface to kill germs.
Or, make your own:
- Combine 4 teaspoons household bleach[1] with 1-quart water in a one-quart spray bottle.
- Shake vigorously.
- Spray on surfaces to disinfect.
- Allow this to sit for 10 minutes.
- Wipe away with a wet cloth.
What about your hardwood floors?
Disinfecting hardwood floors is difficult. It’s essential to keep water and moisture away from hardwood floors to ensure they last. You don’t want to use the bleach-water solution here. If you feel that you must disinfect them, the best option is to use a mop dampened with a cleaner made specifically to disinfect hardwood floors. After damp mopping, dry the surface with a clean, soft, dry towel to remove any lingering moisture.
Fortunately, completely disinfecting flooring is rarely necessary. CDC studies have shown that disinfecting floors has a minimal impact beyond regular cleaning. For the most part, you don’t have to change your cleaning methods. Instead, just clean more frequently than usual. This will help to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses.
Dave’s has specially formulated citrus cleaners that are safe for all hardwood floor finishes. It also works great for laminate, tile, and more! They are available in a convenient 32-ounce spray and an 8-ounce concentrate. If you’ve been planning to install hardwood floors or give your old hardwood new life, we are here to help. Contact us today!
[1] Ensure that the bleach is not expired. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.