Cleaning Door Handles with a 2- step approach

Therefore, make it a point to clean your doorknobs every day to prevent them from being major germ collectors. Let’s look at the importance of a “2-step” approach of cleaning first, and secondly, the need to disinfect door handles to up the game on keeping everyone safe from unwanted germs.

• Cleaning door handles at home is critical for all who live there and all who visit. Make it a regular cleaning practice to start with a daily cleaning ritual on all things related to door handles – like the toaster oven, refrigerator, kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets handles and anything that we typically touch with our hands.
• Keep a set of cleaning supplies in the kitchen, bathrooms, car, and garage as well as any other room that needs daily practice of cleaning door handles of any kind. That way the whole family has access (as age appropriate) to cleaning supplies at all times.
  
• An easy way to get all the “handles” clean in the house is to make a spray bottle of 50:50 water and vinegar. Have a few clean microfibre cloths set up with each spray bottle and encourage the whole family and even friends who come over to get in on the action. Encourage teamwork!
  
• Of course, depending on the wood, metals, or plastics of the handles in your home, you can make a custom cleaning basket for the copper handles, wood handles, stainless steel handles, etc. with the appropriate commercial cleaner for each type. 
  

• Once these areas have been thoroughly cleaned, it is time to move onto the disinfection stage. Using this key distinction between cleaning and disinfecting can change the game for the long run with new safe household cleaning practices.
• There is some confusion between cleaning, sterilising, and disinfecting. For today’s concern for transmission of dangerous germs, it is vital that you use proper disinfecting products. Do not expect that simple cleaning will take care of door handle disinfection.
  
• To disinfect door handles, you’ll need a product that specifically says “disinfectant” on the label. Jeyes multi-purpose disinfectant spray is a perfect example of this. Follow the instructions on the product’s label to make sure you’re using it correctly. Even the best cleaning and disinfection processes don’t guarantee a perfectly germ-free surface but taking these precautions can certainly minimise exposure to bacteria.
• Disinfectants are products that are applied to inanimate surfaces or objects to kill many or all microorganisms except resistant bacterial spores. These products are often purchased in concentrated form and mixed with water to provide a use-strength solution that is effective. 
  
• Bottom line is to read all labels. Disinfectants are only effective when they are applied per instructions for the correct time. If a surface disinfectant requires 5 minutes to be effective, it will not do its job if it dries on the counter or is wiped off in three minutes.
  

We hope you enjoy our tips on disinfecting door handles and cleaning door handles for your outside and indoor handles, and other frequently used handles in your home that may need special attention as well. Don’t forget to check out our other hygine tips on cleaning such as how to clean a dishwasher, how to clean cast iron and how to clean a toaster.