According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is particularly advisable to disinfect your home if someone is ill or has a weakened immune system.
Regular cleaning removes dirt, while disinfection kills bacteria and viruses.
Professor Chetan Jinadatha of Texas A&M told The Guardian that disinfectants work best on clean surfaces.
If dirt or grease is still present, the disinfectant may be less effective.
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For that reason, you should first clean surfaces using, for example, an all-purpose cleaner or water and dish soap.
Follow the instructions
Cleaning assistant Maddy Baker recommends using a microfiber cloth, according to The Guardian, because it effectively picks up dust and dirt.
She and Jinadatha also stress the importance of reading the instructions provided with the disinfectant.
Different products are designed to combat different types of germs, and the label explains how to use the product for maximum effectiveness.
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The biggest mistake
Many people believe a disinfectant works immediately, but according to Jinadatha, it needs time to remain on the surface.
If you wipe it off immediately, it may lose its effectiveness.
This is especially important during illness. According to The Guardian, influenza viruses can survive on hands for a few minutes, but on hard surfaces they can remain infectious for several hours and up to two days.
For that reason, experts recommend disinfecting the surfaces that are touched most frequently while the illness is ongoing, rather than waiting until the sick person has recovered.
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