We have good news within the seriousness of the situation we are experiencing and that is that deactivating the new coronavirus when it is found on surfaces is relatively easy.
Following the Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1 study published on March 17 in The New England Journal of Medicine in which it was concluded that the COVID-19 virus remains on different surfaces During a certain period of time ( in copper for 4 hours, in cardboard for 24 hours, in steel and plastic for 2-3 days ), we discover that if we touch a surface where the virus is still active and then we touch the mouth, nose or eyes, we could get the disease. For this reason, the use of cleaning products is necessary. But wich ones?
The reality is that with almost any cleaning product we have at home we can kill the virus. The only requirement is that it contains surfactants (most do). The reason for this is, broadly speaking, that the new coronavirus has a lipid coating (fats) that surfactants are capable of solubilizing , in addition to breaking the interaction between lipids. By leaving the virus without its cover, it is deactivated.
Examples of cleaning products with surfactants are the dishwasher, a general household cleaner, liquid laundry detergent, grease remover, floor scrubber, soap … To make sure they are there, you just have to look at the label.
Therefore, peace of mind. Experts warn that it is very dangerous to mix cleaning products and get carried away by hoaxes and fake news . When in doubt, consult official sources, do not get carried away by the virals that are circulating on WhatsApp.
Surely you have soap at home, right? Well, as we have said before, it is capable of dissolving the lipid membrane of the virus, so cleaning the surfaces of the house with soap and water is an excellent way to kill the virus. Apply soap first and then rinse with water.
Sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient in bleach , has also been shown to be very effective in inactivating the virus. For it to work, you have to leave it for 10-15 minutes and then clean the surface with a clean cloth. Bleach works by destroying the protein and what is known as the ribonucleic acid (RNA) of the virus. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to use it. It is not necessary to use large amounts for domestic cleaning (different from that done in sanitary environments).
Surgical alcohol , that is, alcohol from the wounds that we usually have in the home medicine cabinet, has been seen to kill coronaviruses in just 30 seconds. It is very useful to use it to disinfect surfaces that cannot be rinsed such as mobile screens, tablets, etc. It is used by putting a little on a gauze or cotton and rubbing the surface delicately.
And of course, with the best-selling disinfectant gel in recent days, SARS-CoV-2 can be killed. Its effectiveness is based on ethanol, present in surgical alcohol and whose concentration in the hydroalcoholic solution must be at least 70%.
SARS-CoV-2 can survive in the air for up to three hours, so it is not a bad idea to ventilate rooms at home frequently to disperse droplets and reduce the amount of virus in the air, which will lower the risk of infection for children. the rest.
In conclusion, use the products (with surfactants) that you have at home to frequently clean surfaces, give soap and, if you want more, use bleach diluted in water. You will leave SARS-CoV-2 disarmed.
