11 Things That Are Now Being Cleaned More Than Ever
Updated: Sep. 03, 2020
Say goodbye to the days of light dusting and hello to the days of deep scrubbing—every little bit of elbow grease counts when it comes to COVID-19.
Scrub, scrub, scrub
In the era of COVID-19, every little bit of elbow grease counts. That’s why in this day and age, skipping over items that typically get a cleaning pass would now be committing a cleaning faux pas. So don’t forget to disinfect these things along with the clothes, dishes and other usual cleaning-mandatory items. After, check out these home cleaning tips straight from the CDC.
Pens
While you probably didn’t think much about cleaning your writing utensil in the past, businesses everywhere have been scrubbing down the pens used to sign receipts, forms and other documents necessary for everyday business. While this occurrence is most common in restaurants and retail shops, it really is necessary anywhere you may end up touching a communal pen or pencil. Pens aren’t the only item that need a good scrub: Here are 10 other things you should be cleaning every day.
Menus
Most restaurants have ditched the usual paper menu, opting instead to place QR codes at each table which can then be scanned by any device to launch an online menu. However, restaurants that still provide diners with physical menus are now giving them a real hosing down. Whether using disinfectant wipes or a soap and water combination, restaurant staff everywhere are making sure that diners still have access to menu options without any of the illness. Brush up on the dos and don’ts for avoiding germs at restaurants.
Door handles
While in the past businesses would get the outside of their storefront cleaned professionally every so often, now it’s likely for employees to wipe down the door handles on both the outside and the inside of their shops as often as with the arrival of every new customer. Don’t get fooled—these are places supermarkets aren’t cleaning as they should.
Credit cards
Credit cards are another item that are now getting more of a deep clean than ever before. Think about it: You hand the cashier your card, they swipe it and hand it back to you. Repeat this process for every monetary transaction you have throughout the day. See how many germs pile up? A quick swipe with a Lysol wipe after each purchase will keep you that much cleaner and safer. These are some more everyday items in your home that are shockingly dirty.
Seating
This is another big one for restaurants. In the pre-coronavirus world, it was very normal to see restaurant staff wiping down the tabletop in between groups of diners. But the seats? Not as often. Nowadays, it’s much more common to have both the table and seats wiped down before sliding into your favorite comfy booth. Although the CDC says that coronavirus is more commonly spread through respiratory droplets than through objects and surfaces, they emphasize that it’s still essential to wipe down any potentially dirty surfaces. And when you do go out to eat, make sure you don’t do these things at reopened restaurants.
Bathrooms
Like dressing rooms, public restrooms found in restaurants, stores and service areas are certainly getting a more rigorous and regular cleaning routine. The CDC recommends that restaurants and bars clean their bathrooms at the very least once a day. Certain rest stops and service areas that contain public restrooms with many stalls have implemented new precautions, such as putting caution tape over every other sink to prevent people from being too close to one another while washing their hands. While we’re on the topic of the bathroom—these are some ways you’re probably cleaning your own bathroom wrong.
All electronics
Even before coronavirus, we knew how dirty our phones were. A TIME.com article even reported that our cell phones are ten times dirtier than a toilet seat. But while in the past we may have brushed this caution aside, now it’s time to start scrubbing all of our devices, whether they be personal or communal. This is certainly true for businesses such as restaurants that take orders on iPads or other types of tablets, as well as the keypads for credit card readers at retail shops. This is how dining will likely change after quarantine.
Dressing rooms
While not all clothing retailers have allowed their dressing rooms to open back up, those that have are putting a big emphasis on cleaning them. According to USA TODAY, stores such as Macy’s, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue that are allowing customers to try on items have fewer dressing rooms open, as staff have to go in and deep clean the room in between each customer. Furthermore, many stores have implemented a new policy in which if you try on an item and decide you don’t want to purchase it, the item must be put on a special rack in the back. This gives the item time to air out before returning it to the floor. Although these rules complicate the usual shopping experience, all of this cleaning allows you to continue to shop till you drop (but thankfully, not literally).
Keys
While keys aren’t quite as dirty as your cell phone or credit card, you’re still touching them an awful lot in many different places. For peace of mind, disinfect your keys every once in a while to make sure they stay sparkling and safe. And after venturing out into a public space, make sure you remember the items you need to clean after returning from the outside world.
Brushes and styling tools
While hairstylists were always supposed to clean their tools in between each new client even before coronavirus hit, the rules and regulations for cleaning items in salons got even stricter. While in the past a stylist may have just dipped their tools in Barbicide disinfectant and called it a day, many salons are now doing multi-step processes to make sure their tools are as clean as possible. In some cases, this may include scrubbing with soap and water, rinsing and then applying a disinfectant.
Steering wheel
Can you remember the last time you cleaned your steering wheel? If you were answering pre-coronavirus, the answer would probably be no. People are now disinfecting their steering wheel after being at the grocery store, a restaurant or a retail shop to add an extra level of cleanliness to their everyday lives. Think about it: The germs that got on your hands while inside the store can easily be transferred to your steering wheel. Skip the fear of accidentally touching something while out and just make sure to wipe down the wheel before and after taking the car out for a spin. Now, read up on the ways coronavirus could change the way we eat.
Sources:
- TIME. Your Cell Phone Is 10 Times Dirtier Than a Toilet Seat. Here’s What to Do About It.
- azcentral.com. Credit and debit cards have more germs than a urinal in a train station, study says.
- USA TODAY. When will dressing rooms open again? Here’s where you can try on clothes and where you can’t during coronavirus.
- CDC. Considerations for restaurants and bars
- CDC. Reopening guidance for cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and homes
