CDC: Cleaning/Disinfection Checklist for Households and Housekeeping

This process template is part of our Coronavirus Workplace Processes pack.

It was built following the procedures outlined in the CDC Interim Recommendations for U.S. Households with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

This Process Street checklist provides a step-by-step guide on how to clean and disinfect households where people at risk or those confirmed COVID-19 live or may be staying whilst self-isolation. Its purpose is to limit the survival of the virus in the household setting. 

You can edit this process template to whatever best suits your specific needs. When you'd like to follow this checklist, simply run this template as a checklist. You can add/edit form fields and widgets throughout the checklist to help gather necessary information. You can also sync your Process Street account with other platforms you may be already using to easily store the information from your checklists.

Process Street is not a medical institution and the items contained in this process template are illustrative and not intended to be understood as medical advice. Please refer to the attached PDF document for any and all medical or operational recommendations.

Use the form fields below to record basic information first.

Before you begin cleaning and disinfecting, put on disposable gloves and discard gloves after each use.

If you're using reusable gloves, make sure to designate them solely for the cleaning/disinfecting of surfaces for COVID-19. They should not be used for any other purposes to minimize any cross contamination. Refer to the label instructions for cleaning/disinfecting reusable gloves.

Always wash your hands with soap and water immediately after gloves are removed.

If the surfaces are visibly dirty, clean them using a detergent or soap and water before the disinfection process.

To disinfect the surfaces, use an EPA-registered household disinfectant for most effectiveness against the target virus.

If you don't have access to an EPA-registered household disinfectant, you can prepare a bleach solution instead. Bleach solutions are effective for disinfection up to 24 hours, so be sure to prepare a new batch every day or as often as you need.

Prepare the bleach solution by mixing: 

5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of room temperature water

or

4 teaspoons bleach per quart of room temperature water

The first step for soft (porous) surfaces (i.e. carpeted floor, rugs, drapes, etc.) is to remove any foreign contamination if present.

Then, clean the soft surfaces using the appropriate cleaners that have been indicated for use on the specific surfaces.

After you've cleaned the soft surfaces, launder them following the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you can, launder them using the warmest water setting and allow them to dry completely.

Otherwise, you can use products that have been EPA-approved to use against the target virus and that can be used for soft, porous surfaces.

For electronics (i.e. cell phones, tablets, touch screens, remote controls, keyboards, etc.), begin by removing any visible contamination if present.

Then, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning and disinfecting the products.

If manufacturer guidance isn't available, use alcohol-based wipes/sprays that contain a minimum of 70% alcohol to disinfect touch screens.

Then, dry the surfaces completely to minimize any pooling of liquids.

Always put on disposable gloves before handling dirty laundry and throw them away after every use.

If you're using reusable gloves, make sure to designate them solely for the cleaning/disinfecting of surfaces for COVIC-19. They should not be used for any other purposes to minimize any cross contamination. Refer to the label instructions for cleaning/disinfecting reusable gloves.

Always wash your hands with soap and water immediately after gloves are removed.

Do not shake dirty laundry.

Shaking dirty laundry can disperse viruses through the air.

Launder the items following the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you can, launder them using the warmest water setting and allow them to dry completely.

Note: Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with the rest of the items.

After you've laundered the items, make sure to clean and disinfect any clothes hampers according to the steps covered in this checklist depending on the type of surface they have.

If possible, place a bag liner that is either disposable or washable in the clothes hampers before use.

All members of the household should clean their hands often using soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Some key times to clean your hands include:

• After blowing your nose/coughing/sneezing
• After using the bathroom
• Before eating/preparing food
• After having contact with animals/pets
• Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance (i.e. a child)

If you don't have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol instead.

However, if your hands are visibly dirty, always wash hands with soap and water.

All household members should follow preventive actions whilst at work and home.

This includes following recommended hand hygiene and avoiding touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

• CDC - Cleaning and Disinfection for Households

• CDC COVID-19 Checklist for Individuals and Families
• CDC COVID-19 Daily Office Safety/Health Checklist for Onsite Personnel
• Construction Leadership Council Site Operating Procedures for Coronavirus Management in Construction
• Department of Health Cleaning/Disinfection Checklist for Essential Shops and Retail Outlets
• ECC/Alberta Health Services COVID-19 Pre-Screen Procedures for Essential Personnel
• WHO Crisis Assessment on Board a Ship
• WHO Office Response Procedures for Positive COVID-19 Employee