A new study shows that COVID-19 can survive on shoes
Based on new study findings that show that the virus clings to shoes, here are 12 tips to prevent bringing the coronavirus home
A new study reveals that floors can contain high levels of COVID-19.
Based on the findings, researchers are urging medical staff to regularly wash and disinfect their shoes.
For homeowners and tenants worried about contaminating their home, Zolo, the largest national independent real estate brokerage in Canada, offers these 12 steps:
#1. Once home, remove and disinfect shoe soles then immediately wash your hands with soap and water.
#2. When out, use automatic doors, elbows to push buttons, use gloves or remember to wash hands before touching anything else.
#3. One home, remove clothes and put in the wash.
#4. Do not shake your clothes out. You cannot kill the virus this way but you can end up transferring infected droplets to other surfaces.
#5. To kill the virus you need to attack its fatty outer-shell and the best method of doing this is through soap and water. Wash clothes with soap and, when possible, water that reaches temperatures above 75 degree Celsius.
#6. Clean high-use areas, such as doorknobs, TV remotes, light switches, countertops, faucet handles and cell phones on a regular basis.
#7. Use disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. If not, use reusable gloves, but dedicate these gloves to COVID-19 cleaning and disinfecting. Do not use them for other purposes (such as washing dishes).
#8. If surfaces are dirty, wash with soap first before disinfecting the area.
#9. You can wash your clothes by machine or by hand. However, make sure that you wash your hands after you handle dirty clothes.
#10. Unless you work or visit a highly contaminated location on a regular basis, you don’t have to wash your clothes immediately, but store dirty clothes in a hamper or clean bag until laundry day and wash hands after transferring dirty clothes to the washing machine.
#11. Wash your linens often, as well. The virus can live on fabric up to 24 hours, depending on the environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.
#12. Consider wiping down or disinfecting any material that comes into the home. Studies show the virus can last 24 hours on cardboard and 48 to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel surfaces.
When cleaning, use a virus-killing cleaner such as bleach solutions (5 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water) or alcohol-based cleaners with at least 70% alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide or household disinfectants like Clorox and Lysol.
If you’re not already using these practical tips now’s a good time to start.
About Zolo
Zolo is one of Canada’s most popular online national real estate marketplaces. Each month, more than 9 million buyers and sellers start their real estate search using Zolo. As a tech-disruptor and largest national brokerage, Zolo provides users with the data and resources needed to make better-informed property decisions.
www.zolo.ca
About Romana King
Romana King is an award-winning personal finance writer and real estate expert. She writes for big banks, insurance providers, newspapers along with businesses. As an expert on real estate issues, estate planning, property & taxation, as well as personal finance, she is sought after by media for insight.
www.romanaking.com
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Romana King,
Director of Content at Zolo and award-winning personal finance writer
romana.king@zolo.ca
416-895-5407