As much as we all love fall, colder weather means the start of cold and flu season. And with COVID-19, keeping common touch items, such as appliances, clean and sanitized can help reduce the spread of the virus, and illnesses in general. Here are some helpful tips to clean and sanitize common household appliances, to keep your home, and your workplace, safe. If you need a HVAC inspection to be sure your heating system is working properly this season, call The Appliance Doctor at 970-773-1000.
Appliance Handles and Knobs: High Touch Surfaces
Your phone, door handles and knobs, may be your first thought when it comes to high touch surfaces. But everyday appliances, such as microwaves, stoves, refrigerators, etc., are also high touch surfaces. For example, when is the last time you disinfected your fridge, and your microwave’s door handle? What about the appliances at your office’s breakroom?
Microwave
Grab an antibacterial wipe, and clean the door handle, ideally anytime the microwave is used. The inside should also be cleaned as well, to prevent bacteria growth, and to prevent cross contamination with food. To clean the interior, fill a non-metallic bowl with water and baking soda, and heat for 1 minute, or until there is steam. Remove the bowl (caution: the bowl will be hot), and then use paper towels to wipe clean the inside.
Refrigerator
As with the microwave, wipe off the fridge’s door handle with an antibacterial wipe. You’ll also want to clean the fridge’s interior as well, as bacteria and mold can thrive and quickly multiply, if food is not tossed out, or properly refrigerated. Remove any old food, and wipe down the inside – shelves and sides. For an all natural cleaning solution, mix water and vinegar together, and use a spray bottle.
Oven and Stove
Sanitize oven handles and stove knobs; note the knobs may be removable, and that you can soak these in warm, soapy water. Always be sure both the stove and oven are turned off, and also clean the stovetop of food debris and grime, with water and vinegar.
Thermostat
Thermostat wars are a reality of office life. Now imagine multiple folks fiddling with the buttons on the thermostat, during cold season! You’ll want to gently wipe down the thermostat to prevent the spread of germs.
HVAC: Clean Filters for Clean Air
Sanitizing and disinfecting high touch surfaces is a great way to combat germs, but have you thought about how your HVAC system can affect your health? If your furnace’s filter is dirty, you’re likely inhaling air laden with dust, spores, mold, etc. Indoor air quality is crucial for your health, and if you find you’re suffering from allergies or cold like symptoms, you’ll want to have your HVAC systems checked. Contact us at 970-773-1000 for HVAC Maintenance: we offer inspections, repairs, winterization, and de-winterization.
Increase Humidity in Your Home
Viruses and germs thrive in low humidity conditions. Increasing the humidity in your home just by a bit can help decrease the spread of viruses, therefore reducing your chances of getting a cold. To increase humidity at home, here are several options:
- Turn down the heat by several degrees
- Use a humidifier
- Have several houseplants
- Leave door open when showering
Happy Halloween
We at the Appliance Doctor wish you a Happy Halloween!
Having Appliance Problems? Need Installation or Repairs? Call The Appliance Doctor
Is your furnace not switching on? Or you have a burner on your stove that fails to heat? Reach out to us at 970-773-1000 or visit our site here to schedule an appointment, our certified technicians are here to get your household appliances up and running.
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