CS316248A 04/01/2020

cdc.gov/coronavirus

Cleaning And Disinfecting Your Facility 

Everyday Steps, Steps When Someone is Sick, and 

Considerations for Employers 

How to clean and disinfect

Wear disposable gloves to 

clean and disinfect.

Clean

• Clean surfaces using 

soap and water. Practice 

routine cleaning of frequently 

touched surfaces.

High touch surfaces include:

Tables, doorknobs, light 

switches, countertops, handles, 

desks, phones, keyboards, 

toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.

Disinfect

• Clean the area or item with soap and 

water or another detergent if it is dirty. 

Then, use a household disinfectant.

• Recommend use of EPA-registered 

household disinfectant.

Follow the instructions on the label 

to ensure safe and effective use of 

the product.

Many products recommend: 

- Keeping surface wet for a period of 

time (see product label)

- Precautions such as wearing gloves 

and making sure you have good 

ventilation during use of the product.

• Diluted household bleach solutions may 

also be used if appropriate for the surface. 

Check to ensure the product is not past its 

expiration date. Unexpired household bleach 

will be effective against coronaviruses when 

properly diluted.

Follow manufacturer’s instructions for 

application and proper ventilation. Never mix 

household bleach with ammonia or any 

other cleanser.

Leave solution on the surface for at least 

1 minute 

To make a bleach solution, mix: 

- 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon 

of water

OR

- 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

• Alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol.

Soft surfaces

For soft surfaces such as carpeted

floor, rugs, and drapes

• Clean the surface using 

soap and water or with 

cleaners appropriate for use on 

these surfaces.
• Launder items (if possible) according to 

the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the 

warmest appropriate water setting and dry 

items completely.

OR

• Disinfect with an EPA-registered 

household disinfectant. These 

disinfectants meet EPA’s criteria for use 

against COVID-19.

Electronics

• For electronics, such as 

tablets, touch screens, 

keyboards, remote 

controls, and 

ATM machines

• Consider putting a wipeable cover 

on electronics.

• Follow manufacturer’s instruction for 

cleaning and dinfecting. 

- If no guidance, use alcohol-based wipes 

or sprays containing at least 70% 

alcohol. Dry surface thoroughly.

Laundry

For clothing, towels, linens and 

other items

• Wear disposable gloves.

• Wash hands with soap 

and water as soon as you 

remove the gloves.

• Do not shake dirty laundry.

• Launder items according to the 

manufacturer’s instructions. Use the 

warmest appropriate water setting and 

dry items completely.

• Dirty laundry from a sick person can be 

washed with other people’s items.

• Clean and disinfect clothes hampers

according to guidance above for surfaces.

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HOT

Cleaning and disinfecting your 

building or facility if someone 

is sick

• Close off areas used by the 

sick person.

• Open outside doors and 

windows to increase air 

circulation in the area. Wait 

24 hours before you clean or 

disinfect. If 24 hours is not 

feasible, wait as long 

as possible.

• Clean and disinfect all areas used by the sick 

person, such as offices, bathrooms, common 

areas, shared electronic equipment like tablets, 

touch screens, keyboards, remote controls, and 

ATM machines.

• If more than 7 days since the sick person 

visited or used the facility, additional cleaning 

and disinfection is not necessary. 

- Continue routing cleaning and disinfection

When cleaning

• Wear disposable gloves and 

gowns for all tasks in the 

cleaning process, including 

handling trash.

- Additional personal 

protective equipment (PPE) might be 

required based on the cleaning/disinfectant 

products being used and whether there is a 

risk of splash.

- Gloves and gowns should be removed 

carefully to avoid contamination of the 

wearer and the surrounding area.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water 

for 20 seconds.

- Always wash immediately after removing 

gloves and after contact with a sick person.

.
- Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are 

not available and hands are not visibly 

dirty, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer 

that contains at least 60% alcohol may be 

used. However, if hands are visibly dirty, 

always wash hands with soap and water.

• Additional key times to wash 

hands include: 

- After blowing one’s nose, coughing, 

or sneezing.

- After using the restroom.

- Before eating or preparing food.

- After contact with animals or pets.

- Before and after providing routine care 

for another person who needs assistance 

(e.g., a child).

Additional Considerations 

for Employers 

• Educate workers

performing cleaning, laundry, 

and trash pick-up to recognize 

the symptoms of COVID-19.

• Provide instructions on what to do if they 

develop symptoms within 14 days after their 

last possible exposure to the virus.

• Develop policies for worker protection and 

provide training to all cleaning staff on site 

prior to providing cleaning tasks. 

- Training should include when to use PPE, 

what PPE is necessary, how to properly don 

(put on), use, and doff (take off) PPE, and 

how to properly dispose of PPE.

• Ensure workers are trained on the hazards of 

the cleaning chemicals used in the workplace in 

accordance with OSHA’s Hazard Communication 

standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).

• Comply with OSHA’s standards on Bloodborne 

Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030), including proper 

disposal of regulated waste, and PPE (29 CFR 

1910.132).

For facilities that house people overnight: 

• Follow CDC’s guidance for colleges and universities. Work with state and local health officials to 

determine the best way to isolate people who are sick and if temporary housing is needed. 

• For guidance on cleaning and disinfecting a sick person’s bedroom/bathroom, review CDC’s guidance on 

disinfecting your home if someone is sick. 

COVID-19

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