Spraying Disinfectant: What are the best ways to clean?

Hi @learihana and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. So much is being debated with COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) as researchers scramble to test and collect evidence for solid answers. Here I've gathered some articles from trusted resources that are constantly being updated as things develop:

- How we know disinfectants should kill the COVID-19 coronavirus (Chemical & Engineering News) https://cen.acs.org/biological-chemistry/infectious-disease/How-we-know-disinfectants-should-kill-the-COVID-19-coronavirus/98/web/2020/03

- Clean & Disinfect: Interim Recommendations for US Households with Suspected/Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/cleaning-disinfection.html

- List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (EPA) https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2
- Frequently Asked Questions about List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/frequently-asked-questions-about-list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

This article talks specifically about spraying the outdoors:
- Does disinfecting surfaces really prevent the spread of coronavirus? (ScienceMag) https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/does-disinfecting-surfaces-really-prevent-spread-coronavirus

In the early days of COVID-19, before it was named, the first hit countries were trying everything because so little was known. Spraying outdoors has little effect according to early reports. Has there been spraying in your municipality?

This topic in specific is causing a lot of conflict in my municipality since we do not have an answer if spraying outdoor in the air, roads,... is beneficial or it is more a waste of resources and may subject the people living in that area to unnecessary chemicals.

@colleenyoung
Thanks Colleen for the articles. I liked the list of products and the article on outdoor spraying which I don’t think is a viable solution. I can imagine what a contentious municipality debate that would be. I do my part by changing clothes and wiping down the bottom of my sneakers after my daily walk or whenever I need to travel somewhere and also keeping my tiled area clean. Rugs are a little harder.

Stay healthy and thanks for you diligence.
FL Mary

@imallears Hi Mary - As far as wiping down shoes, and keeping rugs clean, have you considered leaving outdoor shoes at the door? We have been a "no shoes" household for many years now, which keeps a lot of things out of our home -dirt, germs, chemicals, pollen...
If you are uncomfortable/unable to walk safely barefoot, you can have designated "house shoes" which are not worn outdoors. We have had this policy for many years, and find it especially helpful in minimizing not only contaminants but also dirt in our home. It is amazing how clean things stay when you don't bring the outdoors in. We find friends and relatives adjust, and even service people who enter our home will usually accomodate - those who wish to keep their footwear on are offered hospital-type shoe covers.
Also, then you can save the now-precious disinfecting wipes for other uses.
Sue

@sueinmn
Hi Sue,

People know when I am not at home because my slippers are here and I am not. I’ve always had outdoor shoes in a tray by my front door for outdoors around our house but immediately switch to slippers when I come in. I never wear shoes in the house because I love my slippers. And it does keep the house cleaner. But personally I would never ask anyone to remove their shoes although I have had some workmen change foot gear on their own. I have my sneaker basket in my closet (gym and walking sneakers).
and put them there after I wipe them down. We can get more paper and cleaning products in my area now as they seem to,have gotten more stock in the local supermarkets. I have more than enough at home and have some brand name wipes coming from Amazon. I also use a Clorox and water spray bottle I’ve always had under my sink....just using it more now. These have always been just my everyday ordinary procedures basically so I don’t have to clean my floors so often or track dirt on my rugs. I have many pairs of slippers lol....and some with wine motifs....they know me so well. Buy me wine and slippers and I’m happy.

FL Mary

My latest Mayo Clinic Newsletter that came today had a good article that I thought I would share here.

Ways to fight coronavirus transmission at home - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-transmission/art-20482397