Your Cleaning is
Our Business

What you should know

Surfaces frequently touched with hands are most likely to be contaminated. These include doorknobs, handrails, elevator buttons, light switches, cabinet handles, faucet handles, tables, countertops and electronics. (+)

It is not yet known how long the virus causing COVID-19 lives on surfaces, however, early evidence suggests it can live on objects and surfaces from a few hours to days.

Choose a product that cleans and disinfects

When cleaning public spaces, choose products that clean and disinfect all at once (e.g. premixed store-bought disinfectant cleaning solutions and/or wipes when available). Cleaning products remove germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces by using soap (or detergent) and water. Cleaning does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting products kill germs on surfaces using chemicals.

Use only approved hard-surface disinfectants that have a Drug Identification Number (DIN). A DIN is an 8-digit number given by Health Canada that confirms the disinfectant product is approved and safe for use in Canada.

Create a cleaning procedure

Operators of community settings should develop or review protocols and procedures for cleaning public spaces. This will help determine where improvements or additional cleaning may be needed.

Read and follow manufacturer's instructions for safe use of cleaning and disinfection products (e.g. wear gloves, use in well-ventilated area, allow enough contact time for disinfectant to kill germs based on the product being used).

Wash hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer after removing gloves.

Use damp cleaning methods such as damp clean cloths, and/or a wet mop. Do not dust or sweep which can distribute virus droplets into the air.

Contaminated disposable cleaning items (e.g. mop heads, cloths) should be placed in a lined garbage bin before disposing of them with regular waste. Reusable cleaning items can be washed using regular laundry soap and hot water (60-90°C). Clean and disinfect surfaces that people touch often.

In addition to routine cleaning, surfaces that are frequently touched with hands should be cleaned and disinfected more often, as well as when visibly dirty.

Shared spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms should also be cleaned more often.

For more information: Canada.ca/coronavirus 1-833-784-4397

The flu season can be brutal. But you’re not powerless when it comes to keeping the illness at bay. Just follow some basic cleaning rules to minimize the impact of the flu virus. (+)

Disinfect surfaces.

The flu virus can live on hard surfaces for 24 hours, disinfect surfaces that a sick person may have touched, paying special attention to the sick person's bedroom and bathroom.

Use an antibacterial cleaner on key spots such as: tabletops, countertops, remote controls, computer keyboards, doorknobs, sinks, light switches, faucet handles, sinks, tub and toilet (including the entire seat and the toilet handle).

Contact time of the disinfectant with the surface is important, wipe with the disinfectant so that the surface remains visibly wet for four minutes and then let it dry. A good option for disinfectant is a solution of 1/2 cup of bleach per 3/4 gallon of water.

Tips for the bathroom.

Use disposable cups.

Never share hand towels or bath towels with a sick person. Use paper towels instead of cloth hand towels to help prevent the spread of germs.

Keep toothbrushes uncovered and isolate the toothbrush of the sick person from those of other family members.

Cleaning for the bedroom

Use a wastebasket just for the sick in the room to catch all those used tissues — and make sure to line the basket with a plastic grocery bag to minimize contact with germs. Empty at least once a day, replacing bags each time.

To disinfect wastebaskets, rinse them well then wipe the inside and outside with a solution of 1/2 cup bleach and 3/4 gallon of water. Allow four minutes for disinfecting then rinse with warm water and air dry.

Dust can be irritating when someone's sick, dust furniture, headboards and nightstand, also vacuum the floor, include corners and under the bed.

get fresh air into the rooms by opening the windows every day in the morning, long enough to freshen the rooms. /p>

Take care of laundry

Don't “hug” dirty clothes as you take them to the washer. This could spread the germs onto you, instead, transport dirty clothes in a laundry basket and wash your hands after loading the washer.

Sanitize your laundry with bleach — regular bleach for whites and color-safe bleach for colors. (Be sure to follow fabric care instructions on label.) Use 2/3 cup of bleach (1/3 cup for HE machines), making sure the laundry is in contact with the bleach solution for ten minutes.

After you finish washing the bed sheets, clothes and towels, take time to wash your washing machine. The moist environment in the washer is a breeding ground for germs. Run an empty cycle of hot water and add bleach to the dispenser, then run an additional cycle to ensure the bleach is gone.

Don't use sponges for cleaning

While in flu season, use disposable paper towels or germ-grabbing microfiber cloths for cleaning. Just remember to wash microfiber cloths daily with a bleach solution.

Wash hands carefully

Clean hands are just as important as a clean house, especially during flu season. To kill germs, wash hands well with warm water and lots of soap for at least 20 seconds. Everyone should wash hands after using the bathroom, when we come to contact with others, before eating, and before touching the eyes, nose or mouth.

The holidays are a joyous time for all, but that seasonal joy can fade quickly when you're faced with the clean up after the festivities are over. Getting your place back into shape can be an exhausting task, but fear not, here are a few tips that will make your life much easier cleaning up. (+)

Dismantle the Christmas tree carefully.

Use as much care taking your tree down as you did putting it up to save you some headaches next year.

Keep Christmas lights from tangling by wrapping them around an empty tube from your wrapping paper or kitchen paper towels. Starting with the side opposite the plug, and when done wrapping insert the plug into the tube's opening, secure the cable with a rubber band.

Take down the ornaments and instead of tossing them back into a box, wrap them safely and place them neatly in a box. For extra cushioning, place the tree skirt at the bottom of the storage box and layer the wrapped ornaments on top.

Check carpets and furniture for stains.

The longer stains set, the more difficult they will be to remove. If you spot any, use a spray bottle to lightly apply a mixture of warm water and mild dishwashing liquid. Soak up with a paper towel and continue spraying and soaking until the stain is removed. Rinse with clear water and soak again. Fluff the cleaned area and allow it to dry. Note: Try the dishwasher liquid in an inconspicuous spot of your carpet before applying it for cleaning, check for discoloration of your carpet material.

Sort out your decorations and/or gifts and discard or donate what you don't need or not going to use.

Did you deside to change your decoration theme next year ? or did you get great new gifts but you know you won't be using ? Discard old and worn down decorations, and donate the rest. As for gifts that can't be exchanged for something useful, give them a new home donate them.