How Long Does the Coronavirus Live on Surfaces?
The COVID-19 virus, known as SARS-CoV-2, may live on porous surfaces for up to 28 days, while it is more likely to boom on surfaces in cooler and darker places.
But, of course, this news shouldn’t alarm you because you are washing your hands and already cleaning your home.
To know further about how long does coronavirus live on surfaces, scroll down below and get a good read of this article.
Different Surfaces
The coronavirus has different lifespans on different surfaces.
For instance, on metal like doorknobs, jewellery, and silverware, it lives on for five days. On woods, like furniture and decking for four days.
On plastics like milk containers and detergent bottles, subway and bus seats, backpacks, elevator buttons, it lives for about two to three days.
Stainless steel, like refrigerators, pots and pans, sinks, and some water bottles, provide two to three days to guest the virus, while cardboard and shipping boxes give it twenty-four hours. Copper in the form of pennies, teakettles, or cookware gives it four hours.
Aluminium like soda cans, tin foil, water bottles gives it two to eight hours for survival.
Glass in the shape of drinking and measuring cups, mirrors, or windows can be corona positive for up to five days.
Ceramics like dishes, pottery, and mugs give five days to the virus life, same is the case with paper, as your mail or newspaper but here, the times vary as some strains of this virus survive for about a few minutes others can hit it up to five days.
The Food in terms of takeout or homemade has not proved to be a carrier, as they do not carry the virus. Likewise, local water treatment plant filters disinfect the water in drinking water, killing the coronavirus before it reaches you. So, water does not host the coronavirus.
Fabrics like clothes and linens are soft surfaces. Hence, coronavirus might not stay there for long.
This one might come as a shock, but shoes can be corona positive, and the virus can survive there, not sure for how long, though. As in one study, they were positive for nucleic acids from the virus. However, they might not be able to transmit the virus.
Rhinoviruses, parent to virus cold, can stick to your skin or hair. Rhinoviruses can survive for very long, which is why you should wash or sanitize your hands, which are most like to touch surfaces that might have coronavirus living on them.
Temperature and humidity vs coronavirus
Viruses can have a negative correlation with temperature and humidity. In this case, higher temperature and humidity can decrease the lifespan of the coronavirus.
In one observation, SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus thrived pretty well at 4°C Celsius (about 39°F).
On the other hand, at a temperature of 70°C (158°F), it rapidly inactivated.
How to clean surfaces
Since SARS-CoV-2 can live on different surfaces for as long as a few days, it’s crucial to find a way to clean places and items that may possess the infection.
Remember, it is vital to wear disposable gloves while cleaning like it is to breathe. Throw them away after you’re done cleaning.
Clean the surfaces first with water and soap and, additionally, disinfect them with proper anti-bacterial and disinfectant sprays.
Also, do not forget to wash your hands every 20 minutes.
So how might you adequately clean the surfaces in your home? Here are the best tips to clean surfaces:
Tips to stay corona-free
Focus on high-touch surfaces. These are things that you or others in your household touch frequently during your daily activities. Some examples include:
Focus on the most contact victims, who might be the most probable hostage of the coronavirus. These surfaces might be what your kids might be fond of. Here are some of the surfaces you need to be extra cautious to clean:
The could be doorknobs, handles on appliances, like the oven and refrigerator, light switches, faucets and sinks.
The bathroom must be disinfected thoroughly, including the toilets.
The tables and desks, countertops, staircase railings must be wiped clean.
Electonic supplies like your phones, tablets, video game controllers, computer keyboards and computer mouse are prone to have the virus, so don’t forget to leave it sparkling.
Disinfect other contaminated surfaces and objects. Clothes worn once or bought should readily be washed and sanitized.