Did you know that bleach expires after one year? Or that bleach becomes less effective when applied using a spray bottle? Or that there is a difference between cleaning and disinfecting and an order in which they should be done? Coronavirus may not be my favorite topic, but it’s clearly a main topic on everyone’s minds right now so I thought it was high time I did some research on the best ways to properly clean and disinfect the home and share with you what I’ve found in this Friday Faves, just in time for some weekend cleaning and disinfecting.

If you’ve been watching the news, then you know that social distancing, washing your hands frequently and for 20 seconds, as well as cleaning and disinfecting the spaces you use and surfaces you touch regularly are some top bits of advice that government and medical authorities are advising as a means to help combat the coronavirus. I’ve already written about the importance of keeping the cozy cottage clean here, and here is some helpful information I found to go even further in our cleaning.

What the CDC Says

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has this checklist on how to get your home ready.

The CDC also breaks down the difference between cleaning and disinfecting, along with this top tip: Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks). See more here.

Clean first, disinfect second. To clean, use detergent or soap and water. To disinfect, diluted bleach or alcohol solutions, or EPA-approved household disinfectants will do the trick.

Top Cleaning Tips

Woman’s Day has a list of tips on how to clean your house generally, starting from the top, making your way down, left to right in each room.

Apartment Therapy talked to a microbiologist about target hygiene cleaning, which you might find helpful and less overwhelming.

For a natural cleaning, try The Spruce’s recipe for a vinegar-based solution.

Apartment Therapy also has a list of disinfectants if you can’t find Clorox wipes, which is a very real possibility.

So, I guess you know what I’ll be doing this weekend. Happy Friday!