How to safely disinfect your home after someone you live with tests positive for coronavirus

When it comes to disinfecting your home, experts said most cleaning products will do the trick but if you can't get your hands on those, then soap and water will work.

Posted 4:23 a.m. Nov 18, 2020 — Updated 4:32 p.m. Nov 18, 2020

Kirsten Gutierrez

, WRAL reporter

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina is seeing the highest number of coronavirus cases to date. As more people test positive, families are having to figure out how to live with loved ones who have contracted the virus.

When it comes to disinfecting your home, experts said most cleaning products will do the trick but if you can't get your hands on those, then soap and water will work.

"You don't need to get rid of things. You don't need to spend lots of money on expensive cleaning supplies," explained Dr. Becky Smith, the medical director for Infection Prevention and Control at Duke University Hospital.

If someone in your home tests positive for coronavirus, there are several steps to take to keep you and your family safe.

The Center for Disease Control recommends cleaning frequently touches areas, designating a room and bathroom to the person who is sick and giving them their own cleaning supplies to clean up after themselves if possible.

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If you have only one bathroom, disinfect after each use.

Smith said you'll want to keep your distance until the contagious period is over, which is typically about 10 days from the on-set of symptoms.

"You want to make sure that you're not entering that space without a mask," she said. "Ideally, you’d be able to leave food or water, whatever they need, by the door and not cross paths in your household.”

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If that's hard to do, Smith suggested opening windows and staying away from areas touched by those who are sick.

"In the best-case scenario, if you let that room sit closed for a week, you're never going to get COVID from any of the surfaces – it won't last that long. You won't get it from the air. You won't get it from touching anything. There won't be any more viable virus on anything," she explained.

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As for the cleaning products, aside from soap and water, most cleaning supplies work to kill the virus. Just make sure to read the label and follow directions for the best results.

While experts say you don't need to spend money on disinfection companies, for some, it may bring peace of mind.

“We use special machines and technology that provide the perfect coding of hospitalized-grade disinfectant that basically takes the germ count in your house and takes it all the way down," said David Wilson, the owner of bioPURE.

Wilson said his services start at $99 and last about a month.

The biggest thing experts stress is washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water for more than 20 seconds after being around someone who's tested positive for coronavirus or after cleaning up after them.