How do you disinfect your desk from COVID-19?
- Know The Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing, And Disinfecting
- Equip Yourself With Proper Gear
- Proceed With The Routine
- Disinfect and Sanitize
You may be using your desk currently or you may have left it alone to favor a work from home setup. Either way, it’s important to keep your space clean and sanitized the next time you work and use your desk again. To disinfect your desk post-COVID-19, you don’t need fancy UV sterilizers and chemicals. This is a quick and easy to do project that’s affordable. Here’s how you can make your desk work-ready!
Know The Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing, And Disinfecting
Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting are very different in definition. For starters, cleaning removes germs and surface impurities with soap and water. It will not completely kill all germs and viruses but it can lower infection risks. You will need to start with cleaning before disinfecting and sanitizing. After cleaning, properly disinfecting your desk should be a top priority. This will further lower the risk of infection by using chemical disinfectants to kill germs on the surface. To further ensure that your desk is safe, sanitizing will lower the number of germs and eliminate viruses on your desk to an acceptable safe level. Once again, the use of chemicals will make sure that this can happen.
Equip Yourself With Proper Gear
The CDC has graciously provided detailed instructions on how to disinfect your workspace. You can check that out to find useful tips and tricks. They also have a list of approved disinfectants. There are tons of useful information on the CDC website which you can also apply at home.
For cleaning and disinfecting, it’s best to use disposable, personal protective equipment. This includes masks, gowns, and gloves. You will need to remove and throw these away immediately after using them.
Proceed With The Routine
Start with cleaning before disinfecting. This will remove physical particles that can become viral agents. Using a detergent will remove particles that can carry COVID-19. If you don’t have detergent, simple soap and water will do the trick. Make use of disposable rags when cleaning your desk. Remember to dispose of them immediately after use. This will help your disinfectant be more effective in killing the remains of the virus.
Disinfect and Sanitize
The easiest disinfectant to access is a bleach and water solution. Focus on high-touch surfaces. High-touch surfaces include your keyboard, phone covers, touch screens, and hard-backed chairs. If you have shared electronics and equipment, you will need to work on cleaning and disinfecting that as well.
Key Takeaway
Disinfect your desk post-COVID-19 to prevent the spread of dangerous pathogens. Even if you think that it’s safe to use because it looks clean, taking the time to clean, disinfect, and sanitize will go a long way in making sure your surroundings are safe to work in. There are tons of sources online where you can find easy yet effective tips for cleaning and disinfecting your desk. Starting with this short guide is a good primer to help you get started on creating a safe workspace.