But experts say fear of being infected by touching something can be overblown. According to the FDA's . Adding a smart thermostat to your smart home is an easy way to save money. Its why health experts stress the importance of wearing masks and social distancing. ft. Smart Electric Dryer, meanwhile, comes with the Steam Sanitize+ feature, which helps eliminate germs and bacteria. "Wipe surfaces on which you placed groceries while . Coffee Grounds. Since the pandemic hit, sales have been up about 30% in the The Clorox Co.'s business unit that includes cleaning products. All rights reserved. Americans are wiping store shelves clean of disinfecting products, too. Here are eight things to avoid putting in your garbage disposal: This is a common one. Grease does not immediately damage your system, but it does accumulate over time. The best way to protect yourself and your home is to wash your hands, says Dr. Evans. What counts as overkill could also vary depending on the situation, said Justin Lessler, an expert in infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins University. Family frantically searching for their beloved family member, FOX 26 Houston is now streaming free on FOX LOCAL. Now, this ones controversial. To help provide doctors and nurses on the front lines with life-saving medical resources, donate to Direct Relief here. If you put too much in your garbage disposal at one time, expect a clog. Do you still need to wipe down store purchases and other surfaces? Most of the time they seem to take care of themselves and your food waste. Fruit Pits. Oil and latex paint are also no-nos as theyll cling to the drain pipes and harden. This eventually leads to blocks in your drain or pipes. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images). At the CDC, Brooks said he tells people to do what makes them comfortable, but to keep in mind the relative risk of different routes of transmission. I wipe everything down, especially when I take it into my house, says another shopper. 13 Likes compmom March 27, 2021, 9:31pm 3 Theres an order of operations when using the garbage disposal: turn on the cold water, turn on the disposal, add the food, turn off the disposal, then let the water run for several seconds to flush out the system. Experts advise to keep risk in perspective. Do You Have to Disinfect Groceries? Grocery Shopping and Coronavirus The expert also said she aims to go during off hours, to avoid as much interaction with people as she can. How to Disinfect Everything: Coronavirus Home Cleaning Tips (2022 "It's important to clean surfaces, but not to obsess about it too much in a way that can be unhealthy," said Dr. John Brooks, chief medical officer for the COVID-19 response at the U.S . In public places, he said stepped up cleaning what some refer to as hygiene theater can be a way to reassure people. Apple is shuttering My Photo Stream. Here's how to ensure you don't Your garbage disposal is a powerhouse. Again, there is no evidence of food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19. Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. BGRs audience craves our industry-leading insights on the latest in tech and entertainment, as well as our authoritative and expansive reviews. Copyright 2023 HomeServe USA. No cardboard egg cartons, cigarette butts, paper towels or plastic wrappers. That doesn't mean surfaces don't pose any risk cleaning is still recommended especially frequently touched spots like door knobs or elevator buttons that infected people might have recently touched. You may want to proceed with caution on that front, though. People want to make it evident that they really care, Morse said. The virus is fragile and doesnt survive easily outside the body for long, they note. He has over a decade of professional writing and editing experience, and helps to lead our technology and entertainment product launch and movie release coverage. All Rights Reserved. Do you need to wash your groceries? And other advice for shopping How to disinfect groceries and other surfaces during coronavirus Dr Benjamin Neuman is a virologist with 24 years experience in studying coronaviruses. Practice social distancing while shopping keeping at least 6 feet between you, other shoppers, and store employees. Money Pit Reviews, How to Get Rid of Thousand-Leggers Without Getting Grossed Out, Spool Pool: The Hot New Trend for Cooling Down. FDA says no need to wipe down groceries. CDC, epidemiology - TheBlaze Do it yourself: How to buy and install a garbage disposal in your home. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Please check back soon. Wash your hands, not your. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. If you use reusable shopping bags, ensure they are cleaned or washed before each use. The agency says it's approaching safety in multiple ways. Thats why you dont ever want to pour oils, fats or grease down the disposal. We guide our loyal readers to some of the best products, latest trends, and most engaging stories with non-stop coverage, available across all major news platforms. Why you should buy the iHome AutoVac Juno robot vacuum Should You Wipe Down Your Groceries To Avoid COVID-19?HelloGiggles Jacob Siegal is Associate Editor at BGR, having joined the news team in 2013. How Do I Remove Calcium Buildup On My Faucet? See what plans are available in your neighborhood. No need to wipe down groceries or takeout, experts say, but do wash Want to discuss? Each day the United States is continuing to see an increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases across the country with more and more cities and states announcing stay-at-home orders for their communities. 1 You Don't Have to Wipe Down Grocery Bags Shutterstock When lockdown first started, not only was it advised to have groceries delivered, but we were also told to wipe down all items with anti-bacterial wipes or cleaner before putting them away. Should I Wipe Down My Groceries? How to Disinfect Packaging Dr. John Brooks, chief medical officer for the COVID-19 response at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said people should do what makes them comfortable. We dont think taking our foot off the pedal with regard to disinfecting our surfaces is the right approach, he said. If the drain A garbage disposal is a pretty simple appliance to have in the kitchen. Check your state, county or city guidelines for any other requirements. Resist the urge to use coffee for odor removal. HOMESERVE, the HOMESERVE Design and HOMESERVE USA are trademarks of HomeServe USA Corp. All third party entity names and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. A virus, once its been out in the environment for a while, has undergone enough changes that its probably a lot less infectious, says Dr. Evans. However, not all smart thermostats are worthy of a spot on your wall. And you should toss your fruit pits instead of trying to grind them to a pulp. 93065 Privacy Policy. Think about it: When you cook these foods from dry, you add water, which makes them expand. Do you still have to wipe down groceries & packages if you're fully All that means there could be diminishing returns to all the disinfecting, especially if people have good hand washing practices. Less infectious than if you were standing right next to someone and speaking with them.. 8 Things You Should Never Put Down the Garbage Disposal (and 5 Things You also want to check the exterior, though, to make sure that your gutters are clean, the downspouts are extended. Still wiping your groceries down with Lysol? Experts say that - Reddit Experts say its not necessary for most people. Still Wiping Down Your Groceries? Here Are the New Rules This May Also Interest You: Garbage Disposal Not Working? FOX 26 Houston is now on the FOX LOCAL app available through Apple TV, Amazon FireTV, Roku and Google Android TV! But you dont have to go to extraordinary measures," he said. And Mark Dowd, the agency's chief innovation officer, said surfaces could still pose a risk, and that understanding of the virus has continued to evolve. Prepare a shopping list in advance. All rights reserved, Map & Directions [+]. Viruses also don't leap off surfaces to infect people, and infection would require a sequence of events: There would have to be enough surviving virus on whatever the person is touching, the person would have to get it on their hands, then touch their mouth, nose or eyes. Dont fall victim to this kitchen myth; throwing big clumps of coffee grounds into the disposal will just clog your drain line. Spray on surface to disinfect, let sit for 10 minutes, wipe away with wet cloth. I was super paranoid. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose." Dr. Macciochi explained to Newsweek how to disinfect groceries, and . It's a question that has been posed since the beginning . Thats why you shouldnt put grease in the disposal in the first place, of course. It's why health experts stress the importance of wearing masks and social distancing. Don't fall victim to this kitchen myth; throwing big clumps of coffee grounds into the disposal will just . My understanding from the CDC is that they are no longer recommending wiping down groceries because the risk of virus transmission from surfaces in exceedingly small. And its something weve been hearing since day one. He aims to break down complex scientific explanations into easily digestible facts for both children and adults. Here are eight things to avoid putting in your garbage disposal: 1. Here are five things its OK to put in the garbage disposal: Apple cores, the cut-off ends of carrots, corn cobs and most other fruit and veggie scraps can all be put through the disposal. Bleach is excessive in most cases. In fact, you should make it a regular habit to throw a few ice cubes in the disposal as grinding ice sharpens the blades. 4. Share Has wiping down your groceries and take-out food become part of your coronavirus survival kit? Coffee grounds have a strong smell, so the logic is that emptying the filter into the garbage disposal will eliminate drain odors. Do we still need to wipe down groceries and mail in 2021? #AskDrBen # Dr. Evans says inanimate objects arent efficient carriers of the disease, and the virus becomes weakened when left on surfaces for a period of time. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said "that there is currently no evidence of human or animal food packaging being associated with the transmission of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19." According to Fox News, the FDA also said in a statement posted to its website: Wear a face covering or mask while you are in the store. FDA: You don't need to wipe down groceries to avoid coronavirus Scan this QR code to download the app now. As long as you are taking the necessary precautions, you can keep yourself and those around you safe from infection, and as it stands, wiping down food packaging isnt one of them. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in While Lessler wouldnt wipe down his own groceries, for example, he said it might not be a bad idea for people caring for someone at high-risk for becoming severely ill if infected. NEW YORK (AP) Cleaning wipes are harder to find on store shelves, and businesses are reassuring customers with stepped up sanitation measures. We have been told to keep our distance from others (at least six feet) and to wash our hands for at least 20 seconds any time we come into contact with anything outside of our homes.