Sözcü Newspaper – April 17, 2020
Corona virus continues to be an important health problem in Turkey as well as all over the world. So, how should we clean our house these days when we don’t leave the house unless it is necessary? What should be considered so that asthmatic and allergic children are not affected by this cleaning?
Disinfection
House cleaning is also of great importance in these days when everyone pays great attention to hygiene for protection against the corona virus. It is necessary to pay attention to some rules so that especially asthmatic and allergic children are not affected by this cleaning. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akçay explained the rules of cleaning… When it comes to disinfection; Cleaning with chemicals that remove or kill disease-causing microorganisms on living or inanimate surfaces should come to mind. Bleach is often used for disinfection of floors.
The Ministry of Health has published a guide against coronavirus and this guide is updated frequently. In this guide; Recommended products for surface cleaning and disinfection and their properties are also included. Before cleaning, ventilate the room to be cleaned for a while. After airing, start cleaning. According to the Ministry of Health’s corona virus guide; It is reported that cleaning floors and walls with chlorine-free hydrogen peroxide is sufficient. Due to its low odor, non-toxicity and detergent properties; It has been reported to be advantageous because it has excellent cleaning properties and is environmentally friendly. Cleaning agents containing hydrogen peroxide; It has been reported that it can be harmful to surfaces containing acrylic, zinc or copper. Before using bleach, it will be useful to check whether the expiration date has passed and not to use it if it has passed.
Dirty Laundry
Do not shake dirty laundry when you take it in your hand. You can cause viruses to spread around. Try to wash the laundry at as high a temperature as possible. If possible, try to wash at 60 degrees. You can wipe the baskets you use to carry the laundry with bleach containing hydrogen peroxide. If you have allergic rhinitis and asthma at home, do not use odoriferous fabric softener.
As far as possible, for soft surfaces such as carpeted floors, carpets and curtains, any visible contamination should be removed and cleaned with suitable cleaners specified for use on these surfaces. If the items are washable, it is necessary to wash the items according to the manufacturer’s instructions, using the hottest water setting for the items, and then dry the items completely.
These days we stay at home; Since children are also at home, it is necessary to be very careful while cleaning. Because the noses of children with allergic rhinitis and the lungs of children with asthma are very sensitive. Especially; Triggering may occur in children with allergic rhinitis and asthma due to the smell of chlorine bleach. As a result of this, in the child; nasal congestion, sneezing, shortness of breath and coughing may occur. This, in turn, may lead to a call to the emergency room. This would be risky in the current period. For these reasons; Especially in this period when the children are at home, it will be very beneficial for the children to be in the other room while cleaning and to use bleach containing hydrogen peroxide, which has a low odor.
Vinegar is not recommended in Corona virus measures. It is reported that vinegar is not effective enough against the virus on the floor. During this period, it may be preferable to dilute chlorine bleach to one-tenth and use it mostly in blood smears or toilets. It should not be forgotten that the diluted bleach must be used within 24 hours.
To summarize;
* When cleaning at home, it is appropriate to use bleach containing hydrogen peroxide, which has a low odor of floors and walls.
* Due to the odor of chlorinated bleach, it can trigger nasal congestion and asthma attacks, especially in asthmatic and allergic rhinitis.
* To reduce the need to go to hospitals, environmentally friendly bleaches with low odor hydrogen peroxide can be preferred.
* Cleaning with vinegar against coronavirus will not be enough for protection.
