Disinfecting your home if someone is sick
As part of your everyday prevention actions clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects. For example: tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles.
Wear disposable gloves to clean and disinfect.
CLEAN
- Clean surfaces using soap and water. Practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.
High touch surfaces include:
Tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.
DISINFECT
- Use diluted household bleach solutions if appropriate for the surface. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.To make a bleach solution, mix:
- 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of waterOR
- 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
- Alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol.
- Household cleaners and disinfectants: Clean the area or item with soap and water or another detergent if it is dirty. Then, use a household disinfectant.Follow the instructions on the label to ensure safe and effective use of the product
SOFT SURFACES
For soft surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes
- Clean the surface using soap and water or with cleaners appropriate for use on these surfaces.
- Launder items (if possible) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.OR
- Disinfect with an EPA-registered household disinfectant. These disinfectantsexternal icon meet EPA’s criteria for use against COVID-19.
LAUNDRY
For clothing, towels, linens and other items
- Wear disposable gloves.
- Wash hands with soap and water as soon as you remove the gloves.
- Do not shake dirty laundry.
- Launder items according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.
- Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.
- Clean and disinfect clothes hampers according to guidance above for surfaces.
CLEAN HANDS OFTEN
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Always wash immediately after removing gloves and after contact with an ill person.
- Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not readily available and hands are not visibly dirty, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. However, if hands are visibly dirty, always wash hands with soap and water.
- Additional key times to clean hands include:
- After blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After using the restroom
- Before eating or preparing food
- After contact with animals or pets
- Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance (e.g. a child)
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
FOOD
- Stay separated: The ill person should eat (or be fed) in their room if possible.
- Wash dishes and utensils using gloves and hot water: Handle any non-disposable used food service items with gloves and wash with hot water or in a dishwasher.Clean hands after handling used food service items.
TRASH
Dedicated, lined trash can: If possible, dedicate a lined trash can for the ill person.Use gloves when removing garbage bags, and handling and disposing of trash. Wash hands afterwards.
Checklist to Get Ready
As a family, you can plan and make decisions now that will protect you and your family during a COVID-19 outbreak.
Stay informed and in touch
- Get up-to-date information about local COVID-19 activity from public health officials
- Ask your neighbors what their plan includes.
- Create a list of local organizations you and your household can contact in case you need access to information, healthcare services, support, and resources.
- Create an emergency contact list including family, friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, healthcare providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources.
Prepare for possible illness
- Consider members of the household that may be at greater risk such as older adults and people with severe chronic illnesses.
- Choose a room in your house that can be used to separate sick household members from others.
Take everyday preventive steps
- Wash your hands frequently
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces Be prepared if your child’s school or childcare facility is temporarily dismissed or for potential changes at your workplace.
Watch for symptoms
- Stay home and speak to your healthcare provider if you develop any of these symptoms:
- Fever or
- Cough or
- Shortness of breath
- If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately
- Emergency warning signs include*:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
- Keep away from others who are sick
- Limit close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet)
If someone in your home is sick
- Continue to practice everyday preventive actions
- Keep the ill person in a separate room from others in the household
- If caring for a sick household member, follow recommended precautions and monitor your own health
- Keep surfaces disinfected
- Avoid sharing personal items
- If you become sick, stay in contact with others by phone or email
- Stay informed about the local outbreak situation
- Notify your work if your schedule needs to change
- Take care of the emotional health of your household members, including yourself
Those at higher risk of severe illness
Take additional precautions for those at higher risk, particularly older adults and those who have severe underlying health conditions.
- Consider staying at home and away from crowds
- Make sure you have access to several weeks of medications and supplies in case you need to stay home
- When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick and limit close contact with others
- Practice good hand hygiene
Children
- Notify your child’s school if your child becomes sick with COVID-19
- Keep track of school dismissals in your community
- Discourage children and teens from gathering in other public places
Coronovirus Disease (COVID-19) 