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Cleaning and airing the house is an always important hygienic practice and it is even more so in this period of health emergency that requires us to learn to live with the new coronavirus. For this reason the ministry, with the support of the experts of the Higher Institute of Health, wants to offer citizens simple and practical information on disinfection and cleansing products that have been scientifically proven to be effective against the virus, on how to use them and in which quantity depending on whether you need to disinfect your hands, surfaces such as tables, desks, door or window handles, devices such as PCs, mobile phones, tablets, etc., or floors.
Here is a simple, practical and clear user guide.
HANDS AND SKIN
Water and soap
To disinfect and clean your hands and eliminate any virus, you can use washing with soap and water for 40-60 seconds, taking care to rub them well and in every part: spaces between the fingers, back and palm, nails, without forgetting the wrist, which is also generally exposed to external agents. Before washing it is advisable to remove jewelry, if any.
Alcohol-based products
If you do not have the possibility to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, you can use alcohol-based disinfectants for human use. Before using them, therefore, you must read the label to be sure of their effectiveness.
SURFACES AND FLOORS
To disinfect surfaces such as tables, desks, door handles, windows, mobile phones, tablets, computers, light switches, etc., subject to being touched directly and even by several people, both alcohol-based disinfectants and products can be used. based on chlorine (e.g.: sodium hypochlorite).
The percentage of active chlorine capable of eliminating the virus without causing irritation of the respiratory system is 0.1% in active chlorine for most surfaces.
Active chlorine-based products can also be used for the disinfection of floors. In particular, it is recommended to wipe them with a cloth moistened with soap and water before cleaning for a first removal of the most superficial dirt.
Let’s see in detail the right dilutions of the products.
Chlorine-based products: how to reach a dilution of 0.1% in active chlorine
Among the active chlorine-based products useful for eliminating the virus is the common bleach, which on the market has a 5-10% chlorine content.
We must therefore read the product label well and then dilute it in water in the right measure. Here are some examples.
If we use a product with 5% chlorine to obtain the right percentage of 0.1% of active chlorine, it must be diluted as follows:
• 100 ml of product (5%) in 4900 ml of water
or
• 50 ml of product (5%) in 2450 ml of water
TOILET
For the toilets (toilet, shower, sinks) the percentage of active chlorine that can be used is higher: it rises to 0.5%.
Also in this case the product label must be read carefully before diluting it in water to obtain the right proportion.
Here are some examples.
Chlorine-based products: how to reach a dilution of 0.5% in active chlorine:
If you use a product with 5% chlorine (e.g. common bleach) to obtain the right percentage of 0.5% of active chlorine, it must be diluted as follows:
• 1 liter of product in 9 liters of water
or
• 1/2 liter of product in 4.5 liters of water
or
• 100 ml of product in 900 milliliters of water
Both during and after the surface cleaning operations it is necessary to ventilate the rooms.
IN ALL CASES REMEMBER:
• Clean with gloves.
• Avoid splashing when cleaning.
• Air the rooms / environments both during and after the use of cleaning products, especially if you intensively use disinfectant / detergent products that have danger symbols on the label.
• Make sure all cleaning products are kept out of the reach of children, teenagers and pets. Keep all products in a safe place.
For further information: consult the website of the Ministry of Health http://www.salute.gov.it/