Though the Covid-19 pandemic has ended, the virus is still alive and well worldwide. Like the flu or a cold, Covid-19 is here to stay. But that doesn’t mean you want to catch a case of it. As we learned at the height of the pandemic, washing our hands regularly and practicing santisation whenever possible is important. A common question regarding sanitising is, “How long does Covid live on surfaces?” We’ll answer the question in this article!
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How Does Covid Land on a Surface?
When someone infected with Covid-19 sneezes or coughs, droplets from that person’s nose or mouth fly into the air. When these droplets land on an innocent bystander, viruses begin to spread.
When the virus droplets fall onto surfaces such as furniture, countertops, or other inanimate objects, the virus dies relatively quickly. Why? Humans are ideal for virus particles because the particles can multiply. Surfaces do not allow the virus to grow though. Not for long, anyway.
If someone happens to come by and touch the surface infected by the droplets—and that person then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes with the same hand that now has Covid-19 particles on it—that person may have infected themselves with Covid-19.
How Long Does the Covid Virus Remain Contagious on Surfaces?
The time Covid-19 remains contagious on surfaces depends on the surface. On some surfaces, the virus begins to lose its potency and dies within a few hours. On other surfaces, it could live on for days. That means it could still infect an unlucky person well after being covered in droplets.
Did you wipe down your groceries or other purchases with sanitising wipes at the onset of the pandemic? If so, you were ahead of the game. That’s because the virus was likely living on wrappers and boxes for a while after exposure to the Covid virus. That’s still the case today. The difference is, we’re not as vulnerable to the virus as we were a few years ago.
Here’s how long the Covid virus can live on a variety of surfaces:
- Glass: Up to 5 days
- Wood: Up to 4 days
- Plastic: Up to 3 days
- Stainless steel: Up to 3 days
- Cardboard: Up to 1 day
- Copper surfaces: Up to 4 hours
That means the Covid virus (and others) stays alive on hard surfaces (doorknobs, elevator buttons, office desks, shopping carts, petrol pumps, railings, computer keyboards, etc.) for much longer than a package of food, clothing, or towels, which are porous surfaces. There are other things to consider when it comes to COVID-19 survival. These include temperature, sun, humidity, how clean the surface was before, and other factors. If the environment is dry and cool, the virus won’t survive as long as it would in a damp, warm area.
Can You Catch Covid After It’s Been on a Surface?
Yes, it’s possible, but it’s not inevitable. We know that a virus can last on a surface for a few days. That doesn’t mean it will be strong enough at that point to make you ill. Covid, and all other viruses, are not as potent as when the particles landed on the surface.
It is important to remember that viruses begin to die as soon as they’re outside a body. And as time goes on, they grow weaker.
But, you should still practice the good sanitary habits you learned during the height of Covid-19. Why? Because you still can catch Covid and other viruses if you don’t. So, keep that bottle of hand sanitiser with you and continue to use it after touching door handles, vending machines, any public transport surface, and other surfaces where strangers are around. And keep on washing those hands and sanitising surfaces.
How CleanCo Helps Prevent and Control Covid-19
First, CleanCo uses preventative hygiene implementation to make sure everything is cleaned correctly:
We sanitise all high-traffic touchpoints
High-traffic touchpoints include light switches, doorknobs and handles, benches, and phones.
We use hospital-grade disinfectants and air deodorisers
We use the strongest disinfectants and air deodorisers on the market to keep the air free of Covid-19 particles and other viruses.
We employ anti-cross-contamination cleaning procedures
To ensure we do not cross-contaminate surfaces, we take measures such as using colour-coded cleaning cloths to identify which cloths and surfaces have already been cleaned.
CleanCo also uses what are called quat-based sanitisers to fight the Covid-19 virus. Short for quaternary ammonium compounds, quats are positively charged (cationic) disinfectants that use antimicrobial properties. These disinfectants are very effective at combating viruses, fungi, and bacteria.
But it takes more than simply spraying quat-based sanitisers to prevent Covid-19. It involves a thorough four-step process.
- Before applying a quat-based sanitiser, we clean surfaces to remove dirt and debris. This improves the sanitiser’s effectiveness.
- We then apply quat-based sanitisers to surfaces by wiping, spraying, or other methods.
- Contact time with the surface is vital for the sanitiser to be effective. We leave the sanitiser on surfaces for the proper amount of time it takes to kill or slow the growth of microorganisms.
- Some quat-based sanitisers require rinsing after the application. Others may not need rinsing.
CleanCo Is Your Cleaning and Sanitising Solution
Australian-owned and operated, CleanCo sets the bar high when it comes to commercial cleaning and Covid-19 prevention and control. Our experienced professional cleaning team utilises industry-leading techniques, environmentally conscious cleaning solutions, and state-of-the-art equipment to deliver exceptional results. We’re happy to customise our services to meet your needs. Plus, we offer flexible scheduling options and customised cleaning plans.
CleanCo gives you what you want from a cleaning company–meticulous attention to detail, commitment to quality, and the guarantee of a spotless and sanitised environment for your employees and clients. No matter the business–offices, hospitals and medical centres, aged care, schools, gyms, warehouses, childcare, and more–CleanCo sets the standard of cleanliness in Brisbane City and the north and south suburbs.
Contact us today at https://cleancocommercialcleaning.com.au/contact/ or 0435 057 599 for more information or to request a quote!