How to Clean and Sanitize High-Touch Surfaces in Your Home

Maintaining a clean and healthy home environment is essential, especially in today’s world where health and hygiene are more important than ever. One of the most effective ways to minimize the spread of germs and bacteria is by focusing on cleaning and sanitizing high-touch surfaces in your home. These are areas that are frequently touched and are therefore more likely to harbor germs and viruses. High-touch surfaces include door handles, light switches, remote controls, kitchen counters, and bathroom faucets, to name just a few.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the best practices for cleaning and sanitizing high-touch surfaces, the materials and tools you’ll need, and the best cleaning solutions that ensure your home remains safe and hygienic.

Why Focus on High-Touch Surfaces?

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High-touch surfaces are the areas in your home that are handled frequently by multiple people. Every time someone touches a surface, there is potential for the transfer of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. By regularly cleaning and sanitizing these surfaces, you reduce the likelihood of cross-contamination and keep your home environment safer.

Key High-Touch Surfaces

While high-touch surfaces can vary depending on the layout of your home and your lifestyle, there are some common ones that most households share:

Doorknobs and handles: Entry doors, bathroom doors, kitchen cupboards, and bedroom doors.
Light switches: These are touched multiple times a day by everyone in the household.
Remote controls: A prime candidate for germs, especially in households where many people share the TV remote.
Kitchen surfaces: Countertops, refrigerator handles, microwaves, stovetops, and faucets.
Bathroom surfaces: Faucets, sink handles, toilet handles, and shower knobs.
Smartphones, tablets, and keyboards: These items often travel with us throughout the day, picking up germs from a variety of environments.

These surfaces are touched constantly, which makes them prone to the accumulation of germs, oils, and dirt. Regularly cleaning them ensures you reduce the risk of infections and create a healthier living space.

Cleaning vs. Sanitizing vs. Disinfecting

Before diving into specific cleaning techniques, it’s important to understand the differences between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting.

Cleaning: This involves removing dirt, dust, and debris from surfaces. It doesn’t necessarily kill germs, but it helps remove them physically.
Sanitizing: Sanitizing reduces the number of germs to a safe level as specified by public health standards. It’s typically used on surfaces that come into contact with food or those that are less likely to carry harmful bacteria.
Disinfecting: Disinfecting kills a higher number of germs than sanitizing. It is used on surfaces that are at a higher risk of harboring harmful pathogens, like bathroom faucets or kitchen countertops.

To truly ensure that your home is clean and safe, it’s important to perform both cleaning and sanitizing or disinfecting, depending on the surface and its function.

Step-by-Step Guide to Clean and Sanitize High-Touch Surfaces

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Before you start cleaning, gather all the necessary supplies to make the process more efficient. Here’s a list of items you’ll need:

Cleaning cloths: Microfiber cloths are the most effective for picking up dirt and bacteria. Avoid using the same cloth for multiple surfaces to avoid cross-contamination.
Disinfecting wipes or spray: These are ideal for quickly sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces.
All-purpose cleaner: A mild cleaner that works for most surfaces.
Soap and water: For cleaning surfaces that are not heavily soiled.
Gloves: It’s always a good idea to wear gloves to avoid direct contact with cleaning chemicals.
Bucket or spray bottle: For mixing and applying cleaning solutions.

Step 2: Dust and Clean Surfaces First

Before you start sanitizing or disinfecting any surface, it’s crucial to remove dust and debris. This step is necessary because cleaning removes dirt, oils, and residue, making it easier for disinfectants or sanitizers to work effectively.

Here’s how to clean high-touch surfaces:

Use a microfiber cloth: Gently wipe the surface to remove visible dirt and dust. Microfiber cloths are great because they trap dust particles, rather than just pushing them around.
For stubborn stains: If the surface has grease or sticky residue, use an all-purpose cleaner or a solution of dish soap and water. Apply the cleaner to the cloth (not directly to the surface) and wipe the surface clean.

Step 3: Sanitize or Disinfect

After cleaning, it’s time to sanitize or disinfect. The choice between sanitizing and disinfecting depends on the surface and its usage. For example, kitchen counters where food is prepared should be sanitized, while bathroom handles and faucets should be disinfected due to the higher risk of harmful bacteria.

Sanitizing: Apply a sanitizing solution to the surface and let it sit for the recommended amount of time. This allows the solution to reduce the number of germs to a safe level. Afterward, wipe the surface clean with a dry cloth.
Disinfecting: If you’re using a disinfectant, ensure that the surface remains wet for the amount of time specified on the product label (usually 1–10 minutes). This ensures that the disinfectant has time to kill harmful pathogens. After the recommended time, wipe the surface dry with a clean cloth.

When sanitizing or disinfecting, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and always check whether the solution is safe for the surface you’re cleaning. Some surfaces, like marble or granite, can be damaged by harsh chemicals, so it’s important to use appropriate products.

Step 4: Pay Special Attention to Frequently-Touched Areas

Some surfaces in your home are touched more frequently than others, and these should receive extra attention:

Door handles and knobs: These are touched multiple times a day. For added protection, use a disinfectant wipe on door handles, especially in high-traffic areas like entryways and bathrooms.
Light switches: Switches are often neglected during cleaning, but they should be cleaned regularly, especially if you have multiple people in your household.
Remote controls and electronics: Use a microfiber cloth to clean remotes, cell phones, and keyboards, and follow up with a disinfecting wipe or spray. Be cautious with electronics—do not saturate them with liquid.
Kitchen and bathroom faucets: These areas are especially important to disinfect, as they come into contact with food particles and potentially harmful bacteria.

Step 5: Establish a Regular Cleaning Schedule

To ensure that high-touch surfaces are always clean, set up a regular cleaning schedule. Depending on the usage and number of people in your household, you should aim to clean high-touch surfaces at least once a day or every other day.

In high-traffic areas: Clean frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs and light switches, multiple times a day if possible.
In kitchens and bathrooms: Disinfect areas like faucets, countertops, and sinks daily, as these spaces are prone to bacterial growth.
For electronics: Clean remotes, phones, and keyboards at least once a week, or more often if necessary.

Consistency is key when it comes to keeping high-touch surfaces clean and sanitized.

Best Products for Cleaning and Sanitizing

To effectively clean and sanitize high-touch surfaces, it’s important to choose the right cleaning products. Here’s a list of some of the best options:

Disinfectant wipes: Disinfectant wipes are convenient and effective for quick cleaning. They often contain ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, bleach, or alcohol to kill germs. Make sure the wipes are EPA-approved for disinfecting.
All-purpose cleaner: For routine cleaning, all-purpose cleaners are great. They work well on a variety of surfaces and help remove dirt and grease.
Alcohol-based disinfectants: Solutions that contain at least 70% alcohol are highly effective at killing most germs and viruses. These are ideal for disinfecting electronics and other delicate surfaces.
Natural disinfectants: If you prefer eco-friendly options, natural disinfectants like vinegar or essential oils (tea tree oil, lavender oil) can help clean and sanitize surfaces, though they may not be as potent as commercial products.

Safety Precautions When Cleaning High-Touch Surfaces

While cleaning and sanitizing are important, safety should always come first. Here are some precautions to consider:

Ventilation: When using cleaning products, make sure the area is well-ventilated to avoid inhaling fumes from strong chemicals.
Gloves: Always wear gloves when using cleaning solutions, especially when disinfecting. This prevents direct contact with harsh chemicals.
Avoid mixing chemicals: Never mix different cleaning products (like bleach and ammonia), as this can create toxic fumes.

By taking the proper precautions, you ensure a safe and effective cleaning routine for your high-touch surfaces.

Conclusion

Cleaning and sanitizing high-touch surfaces in your home is an essential part of maintaining a healthy and safe environment. By following a step-by-step cleaning routine, using the right cleaning products, and focusing on the most frequently touched areas, you can reduce the spread of germs and bacteria in your home. Regular cleaning not only helps create a hygienic space but also contributes to overall well-being, offering peace of mind that your home is as safe and clean as possible.