Simple Household Ways to Kill Covid-19

One patient asked me, “They keep telling me to wash my hands. When is it OK to take a shower?”

Let’s face it, everyone wants to disinfect their hands and their countertops, doorknobs and other places that Covid-19 may be lurking.

Here are some simple things that you can make to be help keep you safe, and prevent others from becoming infected:

First of all, not everything works. Common household products like vinegar or tea tree oil don’t kill coronaviruses.

The disinfectants below will kill the virus:

• Bleach solution (4 teaspoons of bleach in a quart of water). But do not consume or inject Lysol or bleach. They’re toxic if you do that.
• Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol or wipes. Must be ≥ 70% alcohol. Save your vodka and other liquors for consumption. Their alcohol concentration is too low to kill Covid-19.
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol
• Soap and water (wash hands for at least 20 seconds). You can play my Wash Your Hands song while you wash.
• Hydrogen peroxide

When you’re using these solutions, be sure to soak the cleaning solution on countertops or other surfaces for 30 seconds or longer before wiping it down. Diluted bleach loses strength with time, so mix only what you need for the day.