Our hands help us to complete daily tasks, communicate, and help others. But they can also transport viral particles to different surfaces and spread germs. That is why it is important, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, that we frequently wash our hands. We should also wash and disinfect the surfaces we’ve touched or that have been touched by others. Though scientists are not exactly sure how much of the virus is needed to cause an infection, coronavirus can live on surfaces for days.
Does coronavirus last longer depending on where it lands? Yes, here’s a breakdown of how long coronavirus can last on different surfaces according to research published by The New England Journal of Medicine and noted in the Cleveland Clinic’s Health Essentials.
Glass – five days
Wood – four days
Plastic and Stainless Steel – three days
Cardboard and Paper – 24 hours
Copper – four hours
Air – three hours
Linen – It’s complicated.
While there is clear research that shows how long coronavirus can last on glass, wood, plastic, stainless steel, cardboard, paper, copper, and air, the research on linen is complicated. Aerosol scientist and pediatric infectious disease specialist, Tara Parker-Pope, believes that linen could be most similar to cardboard. Like cardboard, linen has fibers that absorb moisture. So, coronavirus is likely to last up to 24 hours on linen.
The virus needs moisture to survive. So, when the virus hits something not alive, it fades. And, according to infectious disease expert Frank Esper, MD, after a few days “it’s a thousand times less than what was originally deposited.” Therefore, it is important when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that you dry them completely. It is especially important to keep soft, porous surfaces dry, such as carpet, drapes, and clothing.
How to Clean Work Surfaces
It is important to both clean and disinfect your work surfaces, for your safety and the safety of others. Though many things may only be cleaned daily, high-touch surfaces, like your phone, doorknobs, and light switches, may need to be cleaned and disinfected more often than normal.
While cleaning removes germs, disinfecting kills germs. The two done together will lower the risk of spreading infection. When cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, the CDC recommends wearing disposable gloves. To clean, use soap and water to wash away impurities. To disinfect, use EPA-registered disinfectants or diluted household bleach solutions. The CDC recommends a bleach solution of five tablespoons bleach per gallon of water or four tablespoons bleach per quart of water. These solutions should work effectively for disinfection for up to 24 hours.
Remember to take special care when cleaning and disinfecting electronics to avoid damaging them. And since your electronic devices will need frequent cleanings, consider investing in wipeable covers for further protection.
After cleaning and disinfecting surfaces for COVID-19, safely remove your gloves and properly dispose of them. If you opted for reusable gloves, these gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces for COVID-19 only. And don’t forget to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
