With the on-going pandemic, it has become a necessity to sanitize almost everything that we touch – from doorknobs, ref handles, and even our gadgets.
A study in March 2020 says that SARS-CoV-2 is more stable on plastics and stainless steel. These two are the most common appliance surfaces at home.
As such, it’s equally important to ensure that our home appliances and even corresponding accessories such as remote controls are just as clean.
Wipe off the dust from TV and sanitize your remote
Dust is a very common allergen that may cause an allergic reaction upon inhalation. It is important to wipe off dust in your home on a regular basis, especially in common areas. Before cleaning the TV, make sure to turn it off, let it cool, and then unplug.
Start by wiping the edges or frames of the TV using a slightly damped microfiber cloth, followed by the screen. Don’t press too hard though, as it may cause damage.
Don’t forget to sanitize the remote control. Remove the battery, face it upside down, and tap the remote control against your palm to remove debris. Wipe the surface and buttons with alcohol-based wipes or a cloth damped in at least 70% isopropyl alcohol.
Avoid air conditioner filters to get clogged and dirty
Having a clean air conditioner at home not only gives you energy savings but keeping it clean can also help maintain good health. A poorly maintained air conditioner can cause itchy eyes, headaches, and even respiratory problems.
Cleaning can be done on a daily, monthly, or seasonal basis. Cleaning can be through a professional cleaner or you can do it yourself. Start by removing the trim panel or the frame, remove dust and dirt from the cooling fins using a fin comb, remove visible build-ups or debris using a vacuum, let it dry, and then assemble it back.
Here’s an XTREME reminder. Do not use your air conditioner 24/7. Leaving it overworked may cause damage to the compressor and condenser. If left unattended, you may end up having to replace it, and that’s a pretty bad spot to be in, especially during the ECQ.
Refrigerators should also be kept clean
All appliances found in one of the dirtiest parts of your home – your kitchen – should also remain clean at all times. The refrigerator acts as your storage for fresh meat, vegetables, and even cooked food. A clean refrigerator can help keep food fresh and keep food-borne illnesses away.
Make it a habit to check stored goods in the refrigerator weekly. Throw away any expired consumable and keep the remaining in proper storage. Before cleaning, remove all food from the fridge, take out shelves and drawers and wash them with dish soap.
Wipe the interior using strong-scented soap to avoid having problems with removing the scent in the fridge that may be absorbed by the food. As an alternative to soap, you may also use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to remove stains.
Dry it off with a clean dry cloth before returning the shelves, drawers and stored goods. Wash raw food from the supermarket and allocations from your local government unit before storing them in your refrigerator.
Clean the exteriors with a soft cloth and dishwashing soap mixed with water. Then, rinse the excess soap by using a damp cloth.
Here’s an XTREME tip: You can eliminate foul odor and maintain it smelling fresh by putting activated charcoal or open baking soda.
By following these tips, you can ensure that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy under your roof.
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
