Make room for good vibes in your home. Receive this new year with a fresh home and give away what you don’t need, and take care of what you own. Check our home keeping checklist.
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A Home Cleaning Checklist For Christmas 2020
Well, it’s almost common knowledge by now that during this year’s Holidays, things are not to as they’ve been in the past. COVID 19 is still around and running amok, at least in some parts. The good thing is you can’t allow this novel virus to destroy your holiday plans. That’s okay, but caution; actually, maximum caution is needed to avoid the risk occasioned by this pathogen.
Yes, there are many battlefronts on which to face this virus, and you need to know them and perfect your skills. One of these fronts is all about hygiene. These viruses and other pathogens can remain on the surfaces in your home for quite some time. And woe unto anyone who carelessly touches those surfaces and then unknowingly ferries the virus to their bodies.
One of the easiest ways that viruses get into your body is via your hands. You touch a surface with the virus, then touch your nose, eyes, mouth, and other entry points into your body, and the virus happily makes itself comfortable inside you. That is the first step to getting infected with this notorious enemy.
Knowing that is critical. It means you can minimize the chances of that happening by ensuring you using a Christmas cleaning checklist this entire season and beyond. So, these are some crucial tips on what to include in your ultimate cleaning checklist this holiday.
The Ultimate Cleaning Checklist this Holiday
While it’s true there are no rules set in stone as you clean your house, there are general guidelines that you can customize to suit your circumstances. Think of these as general guidelines.
- Divide the chores
If you have several people in your household, that’s a big plus. Divide the cleaning tasks among all capable members. It’s easier to clean when you do it as a group. You can distribute the tasks depending on each individual’s interests.
- Move one room at a time
This is another way of saying, be systematic. Instead of doing all the windows first, it would be more satisfying to know you’ve done an entire room and it’s clean and tidy before you move to the next.
- Confirm you have all the necessary equipment and tools
Depending on what you have in the house, ensure you have all the equipment, disinfectants, vacuum cleaners, cleaning cloths, and everything else you might need. You don’t want to start your cleaning only to realize halfway that you are stuck because you lack any equipment.
The cleaning agents you use, whether they are detergents or sanitizers, should be approved and eco-friendly. This ensures the ingredients are environmentally friendly and will deliver the intended results.
For your checklist, there are things you do daily, and others are best done weekly. Let’s see a rundown of these activities.
Daily House Cleaning Checklist
- Empty and load your dishwasher (or wash the dishes and put them away)
- Squeegee shower
- Wipe down countertop in the bathroom
- Rinse out sink
- Wipe down countertop in the kitchen
- Empty and wipe out the sink
- Put away loose items (papers, blankets, toys, and other things)
- Empty coffee maker
- Clean kitchen floor (sweep or vacuum)
- Make your bed
- Tidy up
Weekly House Cleaning Checklist for Every Room
- Empty garbage
- Vacuum and mop floors
- Dust all surfaces
Another interesting inclusion in your checklist is where to get professional help when the job becomes too much, or you need to consult about a cleaning issue.
In your checklist, don’t forget to include CHRIStal Clean. This is a professional cleaning company with many years of experience providing high-quality cleaning services. Contact CHRIStal Clean now and get a free quote plus plenty of expert cleaning tips.
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Keep the illnesses away during the holiday season. Follow these home cleaning tips to enhance your indoor air quality and eliminate harmful pathogens.
How To Celebrate Thanksgiving During the Pandemic
Thanksgiving dinner is what best defines the holiday, of course. But, during these times of pandemic, is there any risk with food?
Luckily, “Food is not a risk factor in transmission,” says Natalie Seymour, a food safety extension associate at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina.
She explains that “The greatest risk for COVID-19 comes from person-to-person transmission, which is generally a factor when you’re within six feet of others for 15 minutes or longer.”
With that in mind, these are the preventive steps to take if you want to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner or something that can be just as good and safe.
First and foremost,
Know the Infection Rates
It’s time to do a little audit. Who are your guests? What communities do they live in? What are the infection rates in the said communities? What is the infection rate in your community?
See, there’s a lot of variance in the positivity rate and case trends among states, counties, and even communities.
If the rates are high in a given community, consider dining virtually. Yes, even if it’s just one loved one affected. These are challenging times, and no one should be left out because their area is affected. Virtual dinners enable inclusivity.
The same goes when some of the loved ones are elderly or immune-compromised.
According to Sandra Kesh, an M.D., the deputy medical director and infectious disease specialist at Westmed Medical Group in Westchester, New York: “Elderly and immune-compromised people should not attend in-person Thanksgiving dinner celebrations, especially if the rate of community spread is high or growing, and if the holiday will be celebrated indoors.”
Nonetheless, you can prepare and deliver meals to high-risk neighbors if done in a contactless way.
If you’re in a position to host a face-to-face dinner,
Know the Local Restrictions
Is it worth breaking the guidelines to share a meal?
Check your local area regulations and guidance on the number of guests for indoor and outdoor gatherings.
Follow the local data to plan the day and limit the number of loved ones in attendance.
Logically, an indoor party will allow for a lesser number than an outdoor dinner – thus, select accordingly.
Ensure that the attendees follow the health guidelines and if you want to include a large number to your dinner, add a virtual gathering to complement the live party.
While at it,
Measure the Available Space – Literally
The size of your backyard or patio dictates the number of guests you can host.
Kesh says, “What’s the size and layout of the space you are hoping to host in? Measure the space, or the table if you’re planning to share it, and invite-only as many people that would allow you to maintain a truly safe distance—at least 6 feet apart.”
She adds, “Even if your residence is large enough to host a small group of guests, and you can seat people at an appropriate distance, something to keep in mind is that when people are eating, your face masks come off. Physical distancing is key, especially when everyone is un-masked during mealtime.”
The private logistics will dictate the number of people you can safely invite. Next,
Alert the Guest to Take Extra Precautions for over two weeks before Thanksgiving
The guests should self-isolate over 14 days before the get-together.
Quarantining before the gathering will prevent them from picking up the virus and infecting the other guest.
Better yet, request the guest to get tested days to the gathering. That way, you’ll ensure it’s safe for high-risk individuals in attendance.
Get Creative
Flip that script on all matters Thanksgiving, from schedule to location, and serving style.
And remember to practice good hygiene, open windows for better ventilation, have the face masks on when not eating or drinking, and use disposable service ware and table cloths to ease the after-party cleaning.
Kesh says, “Every intervention you put in place will increase your ability to host a safer Thanksgiving dinner, although there is never zero risks.”
As we second the fine doctor’s words, we at CRIStal Clean are here to help you implement some of the interventions.
Interventions such as cleaning highly-touched surfaces regularly, thorough-cleaning your home, and whatnot.
Holiday times are stressful times, and the pandemic only makes it worse. Thus, let’s help you get back that little free time you got.
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With only simple actions, you can protect your health and your family from COVID during this holiday season. Please read our latest infographic.