DEVELOP YOUR PLAN

DETERMINE WHAT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED. 

Areas unoccupied for 7 or more days need 

only routine cleaning. Maintain existing 

cleaning practices for outdoor areas.

DETERMINE HOW AREAS WILL BE 

DISINFECTED. Consider the type of surface 

and how often the surface is touched. 

Prioritize disinfecting frequently touched 

surfaces. 

CONSIDER THE RESOURCES AND 

EQUIPMENT NEEDED. Keep in mind the 

availability of cleaning products and personal 

protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for 

cleaners and disinfectants.

1 IMPLEMENT

CLEAN VISIBLY DIRTY SURFACES 

WITH SOAP AND WATER prior to 

disinfection.

USE THE APPROPRIATE CLEANING 

OR DISINFECTANT PRODUCT. Use 

an EPA-approved disinfectant against 

COVID-19, and read the label to make 

sure it meets your needs. 

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS 

ON THE LABEL. The label will include 

safety information and application 

instructions. Keep disinfectants out of 

the reach of children.

2 MAINTAIN AND REVISE 

CONTINUE ROUTINE CLEANING AND DISINFECTION. 

Continue or revise your plan based upon appropriate 

disinfectant and PPE availability. Dirty surfaces should 

be cleaned with soap and water prior to disinfection. 

Routinely disinfect frequently touched surfaces at 

least daily.

MAINTAIN SAFE PRACTICES such as frequent 

handwashing, using cloth face coverings, and staying 

home if you are sick.

CONTINUE PRACTICES THAT REDUCE THE POTENTIAL 

FOR EXPOSURE. Maintain social distancing, staying 

six feet away from others. Reduce sharing of common 

spaces and frequently touched objects.

3

Follow guidance from state, tribal, local, 

and territorial authorities.

GUIDANCE FOR 

CLEANING & DISINFECTING 

PUBLIC SPACES, WORKPLACES, BUSINESSES, 

SCHOOLS, AND HOMES

SCAN HERE 

FOR MORE 

INFORMATION 

CS316485B April 23, 2020 1:56 PM
MAKING YOUR PLAN TO CLEAN AND DISINFECT

Has the area been occupied w ithin the last 7 days?

Is it a frequently touched surface or object?

Maintain ex isting cleaning practices.

Coronaviruses naturally die in hours to days in typical 

indoor and outdoor environments. Viruses are killed 

more quickly by warmer temperatures and sunlight.

Yes, the area has been occupied within the last 7 days. The area has been unoccupied w ithin the last 7 days.

The area will need only routine cleaning.

It is an indoor area. 

YES

YES

YES

NO

NO

NO

Is the area indoors?

Yes, it is a frequently touched surface or object. Thoroughly clean these materials.

Consider setting a schedule for routine 

cleaning and disinfection, as appropriate. 

What type of material is the surface or object?

Visibly dirty surfaces should be cleaned prior to disinfection. 

Consult EPA’s list of disinfectants for use against COVID-19, specifically for use on 

hard, non-porous surfaces and for your specific application need. More frequent 

cleaning and disinfection is necessary to reduce exposure.

Thoroughly clean or launder materials.

Consider removing soft and porous materials 

in high traffic areas. Disinfect materials if 

appropriate products are available.

Cleaning with soap and water removes germs, dirt, and 

impurities from surfaces. It lowers the risk of spreading infection. 

Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces. By killing germs on a surface 

after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

Hard and non-porous materials 

like glass, metal, or plastic.

Soft and porous materials like carpet, 

rugs, or material in seating areas.