Cleaning and Personal Habits

Stop Dust at the Door

Using doormats at exterior doors and leaving shoes at the door can reduce tracked-in dust and dirt that contains biological contaminants. Wiping your pet’s feet before they come indoors can help too.

Clean Regularly 

Regular cleaning can keep biological contaminants and inhalable particles from building up and discourages pests. Consider the following activities:

  • Immediately fix leaks and other visible moisture issues and clean up visible mold with clean water and a detergent. Dry the area completely.
  • Routinely vacuum carpets and fabric-covered furniture, dust hard surfaces with a damp cloth, damp-mop floors, and wash household linens. People with allergies or asthma may need to clean more often or more extensively. Learn how to control common indoor environmental asthma triggers. 
  • If using cool mist or ultrasonic humidifiers, clean these appliances according to the manufacturer's instructions and change out the water as directed. Use distilled water to reduce the potential for dispersing minerals into the air. Learn more about the Use and Care of Home Humidifiers. 

Check out EPA’s Safer Choice program to learn more about cleaning and other products with safer ingredients to protect human health and the environment.

Practice Good Personal Hygiene Habits

Practicing good hygiene is a core prevention strategy to lower the risk from respiratory viruses. Covering coughs and sneezes and regularly washing hands can reduce the spread of germs that make people sick.

 

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