How hygienic is your glass in this virus conscious world?
How to hygienically clean glass and eliminate the spread of Covid-19.
The good thing about glass and mirrors is you can usually ‘see’ when they are dirty. Spots, fingerprints and dust are visible even to the naked eye. But with new, invisible threats of viruses and bacteria entering our daily lives, it’s important to do all we can to prevent the risks and any further contamination of these potentially harmful nasties.
Different surfaces can hold viruses and bacteria for different periods of time. We have become diligent with washing our hands, and not touching our faces, which is our first line of defence. But how long does the virus last on glass and even the aluminium surrounds? Well the experts suggest that viruses like Covid-19 may last up to four days on glass surfaces yet only about 8 hours on aluminium. Which really highlights the need to know exactly how to clean glass and mirror surfaces effectively.
It is important to remember, although the virus can linger on surfaces, it can be eradicated in less than a minute by disinfecting these areas thoroughly through common household cleaning products. One of the most effective ways to clean glass and leave it streak free is with good old dishwashing liquid, and now many companies are offering this liquid with antibacterial properties, promising to kill 99.9% of all bacteria.
So let’s look at some simple methods to keep your glass surfaces sterilised and mark free, while also preserving the life and finish of the area.
Firstly, prevention is better than cure.
Don’t wait until you notice the glass is dirty before giving it a clean. Head around your home and office and give the whole place a good, regular clean down. Especially if any areas are frequented or touched by different people, or high traffic areas like glass front doors at the entrance of your workplace. These areas will now need to be wiped down regularly.
The glass manufacturers say it’s important to use a clean, damp, nonabrasive cloth and a little warm water or pH neutral detergent solution. If you have any tough to move spots, a soft brush or sponge may be used and all surfaces must be rinsed to remove residue.
Did you know that old newspapers are one of the best methods for cleaning glass? It’s true! The cotton rags and towels that we use for dusting and cleaning our countertops do not work well with glass. They leave streaks, lint and debris that can leave your windows looking even worse than before you began to clean. Microfibre cloths are a great choice or you can choose specialised equipment like the squeegees. Just remember to vary your strokes when cleaning but to always work from the top of the window pane to the bottom with that squeegee! And be ready to mop up any pooling water with a clean cloth as you go.
Why a pH neutral detergent solution?
It is important to never use any harsh or abrasive cleaners that will affect the finish of your glass and aluminium surfaces in your bathroom.
So remember – nothing that contains Hydrofluoric or Phosphoric Acid. No alkaline, acidic cleaners. And no harsh detergents, bleach or abrasive cleaners or scourers on the frames – ever!
It also goes without saying, never use steel wool, hard brushes or excessive rubbing that will damage the finish leaving it with a worn and dull look.
If you are being super diligent and using anti bacterial wipes or alcohol to clean glass surface areas, you may want to go over your glass with some cold, soapy water and clean damp cloth or squeegee after to give them that streak free look and shine.
Remember, it’s important to keep all areas around our homes and offices clean, but it’s also important to live a balanced and healthy life. Don’t let fear stop us from being alive and being present to all the great things we still have around us.
If you have a magic cleaning trick, we’d love to hear it. Send us a message and we can share it with our readers.
