Sometimes going outside is necessary. Either you go out to exercise or buy groceries, you have to follow new habits to avoid getting infected by COVID-19.
The Best Outdoor Habits To Prevent Covid-19 While Doing Exercise Or Buying Groceries
The Best Way To Disinfect Shoes and Clothes
As quarantine limitations slowly relent across the nation, people are yearning for their freedom often without regard for their or others’ safety or health. With so much left unknown about COVID-19, many people question the possibility of contracting the virus on clothing and shoes—among other things. According to Erin Hays, writer for DoctorOz.com, “current evidence suggests that the virus can survive for hours to days on a variety of surfaces.” Let Illinois Valley Clean Team show you the safe way on how to disinfect clothes and shoes.
Leave Shoes at the Door
While some shoes are made of cloth-like material, they also have rubber and leather parts similar to plastic. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), COVID-19 can survive on plastic for two to three days. As a good habit to begin, leave your shoes at the door. Before coming inside (weather conditions and situation permitting), remove and disinfect shoes outside then let them air dry before bringing them in for the evening.
Hot Water/Hot Heat
For normal, disinfecting laundry procedures, include hot water (100 degrees F. or above with 140 degrees F being optimal), a safe disinfectant like hydrogen peroxide (add 1/2 cup of peroxide to your laundry once the water is running to prevent any bleaching), and the highest heat setting per fabric instructions. Remember to separate clothes from those who are ill and to use rubber gloves. Also be sure to disinfect your laundry basket after each use, especially after someone is sick.
Dry Clothes Outside
Sunlight is extremely sanitizing, so if you can line dry your laundry in the sun then it will give your clothes an extra disinfecting boost…about 30 minutes in the sun (on each side) is enough to kill most surface bacteria. Be warned, overtime natural sunlight will fade dark colors.
Essential Oils
Like sunlight, mother nature provides specially crafted disinfectants from the essence of flowers, herbs, spices, and more. Essential oils have a variety of pathogen-fighting powers. Some of the best known antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic essential oils include tea tree oil, lavender, thyme, lemon, and Thieves oil. To use, add ten drops to each load depending on the desired scent strength. Use caution if you are pregnant or around children.
UV Shoe Station
Transform your hall closet into DIY sterilization and disinfection station not only for your shoes but also umbrellas, handbags, grocery bags, school bags, work equipment, coats, etc. UV light systems come as complete packages or as single light bulbs with variable wattages. For a closet setup at home, try the UVC Led Corn Light Bulb with Remote Control 30/60min Timer for Home. The bulb works with most standard light sockets. Warning: do not expose your eyes and skin to UV light while in use. UV lights are most effective if the objects are kept under exposure for 30 – 60 minutes.
DIY Disinfectant Spray
When your laundry needs a little bit of extra love and care, consider trying an alternative to harsh commercial chemicals that not only could damage your clothes but also your health. One of the best and most used DIY disinfectants sprays for clothes is a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar to distilled water. The vinegar solution works to brighten, soften, and kill odors in your laundry. If you don’t like the scent of vinegar, just add a couple of drops of essential oil to the bottle. Regardless of whether or not COVID-19 can live on your clothes, direct exposure is believed to be the primary form of transmission of the virus. Therefore, even with the ease on restrictions its crucial to maintain social distancing, remote working, wearing face masks, limit shopping trips, avoid touching your face when out in public, wash your hands often, learn how to sanitize shoes but most importantly protect those you love without bringing harm to yourself or others…whether mentally, physically, or both.
Checked Facts And Debunked Myths About COVID-19 You Have To Know
Know your facts! This information about COVID-19 is 100% checked and confirmed. Stay safe and protect your family and loved ones.
Spring Clean Your Yard (With Safe Social Distancing)
“Social distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least six feet away from other people lessens your chances of catching COVID-19,” says Lisa Lockerd Maragakis, M.D. Social distancing has been recommended by the CDC as the best way to slow the spread of the coronavirus. It’s important to adapt to the conditions of our current situation and to not shut down. With the coming of warmer weather, let Illinois Valley Clean Team show you spring clean-up tips while practicing safe, social distancing.
LAWN
- Reseed
Seed bare patches of lawn but avoid weed treatment until summer.
- Mow and edge
After the winter thaw and the lawn dries, mow and edge your lawn for a professional look.
- Fertilize
For a healthy and even-looking lawn, fertilize your lawn in the spring after the first thaw.
- Rake leaves
To prepare your lawn for summer, rake any leftover leaves from fall and remove all other debris to have wandered into your yard.
- Trim the bushes and trees
Remove broken branches and prune summer-blooming trees to ready yourself for spring.
FLOWER BEDS
- Plant bulbs
After removing winter mulch and pruning perennials down to ground level, plant summer-blooming flowers.
- Cut back wood perennials
By cutting back wood perennials, you make room for new branches to grow.
- Trim ornamental grasses
For a uniformed and clean look, trim ornamental grasses to within a few inches of the ground.
- Weed and compost
Start weeding in early spring when the ground is soft. This is also a great time to start a compost pile for yard and scrap clippings if you haven’t already.
- Soil and fertilize
“If you have rich, healthy soil, all you should need to do in the spring is a bit of top dressing with compost, manure or a complete slow-release organic fertilizer.” says the writers of Gardenoholic.com.
- Mulch and edge
Wait for the soil to warm before working in your flower beds. After they dry out a bit, treat your flower beds accordingly than when ready lay fresh mulch and provide a crisp edge for a finished and professional look.
DECK/PATIO
- Wash outdoor furniture
While it may be too early to lounge in the sun, spring is the time to set up, clean, hose-down, and freshen-up your outdoor furniture.
- Prep the grill
Bar-b-ques are a staple of American summers. To get ready for that grilled, delicious food, make sure to check the fuel tank and replace it (as needed, using social distancing), clean the grate, and wash the grill, inside and out.
- Power wash the porch/deck
Whether you have a leaf blower or a hose, remove the dirt and debris, which may have accumulated from winter, to reveal a beautiful porch/deck to enjoy all summer long.
- Power wash outside playsets & toys
Springtime is a great way to get the kids some fresh air and exercise! Just hand them a soapy sponge and have them play/clean the outdoor toys (but only with monitored social distancing).
While it may be disheartening to have restrictions and so many shops, businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues closed, it’s for the safety of all, but it doesn’t mean you have to stop living a functional life. When practicing social-distancing, savor the therapeutic experience you get from springtime yard clean-up. Listen to the birds sing songs of hope. Watch the flowers bloom despite the swirl of chaos. Feel your fingers nourish the soil as you make way for new life. Moreover, remember “Happiness is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them.” Steve Maraboli, writer of Life, the Truth, and Being Free.
Protect Your Family Against Coronavirus With This Essential Guide
Don’t trust the rumors that not-official sources spread. This essential guide is based on the information released by the World Health Organization regarding coronavirus.
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