GUIDANCE FOR
CLEANING & DISINFECTING

PUBLIC SPACES, WORKPLACES, BUSINESSES,
SCHOOLS, AND HOMES

1 

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.

Follow guidance from state, tribal, local,
and territorial authorities.

CS316485B April 23, 2020 1:56 PM

2

 

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.

3 

SCAN HERE
FOR MORE
INFORMATION

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.

 MAKING YOUR PLAN TO CLEAN AND DISINFECT
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.

Is the area indoors?

YES

NO

It is an indoor area.

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.

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

YES

NO

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.

Is it a frequently touched surface or object?

NO

YES
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?
Hard and non-porous materials
like glass, metal, or plastic.

Soft and porous materials like carpet,
rugs, or material in seating areas.

Visibly dirty surfaces should be cleaned prior to disinfection.

Thoroughly clean or launder materials.

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.

Consider removing soft and porous materials
in high traffic areas. Disinfect materials if
appropriate products are available.