Keeping things clean during these hard times

By Jule’ Dunham

Greetings from the World of Real Estate with Julè. Haven’t the last few weeks been interesting? Interesting, inconvenient, greedy, scary and absolutely crazy is how it has been lately. How has this affected real estate? Agents are still selling homes despite all the confusion. The interest rates are low and now is still a great time to buy.
I have a few suggestions for sellers and buyers as well. Let us start by simply being considerate of others. Hand washing is a very important part of washing away germs, not just wiping them. Proper handwashing is a great defense against disease. The information below is proper handwashing according to the CDC (Center of Disease Control and Prevention). You can find this handwashing article on their website: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing.
There is a video for helping even children learn to wash their hands correctly. I highly recommend not only reading it but practicing it on a regular basis. After all, this is something everyone should be doing on a regular basis, regardless of the time of year. Just think about it. You don’t know where other people’s hands have been. Well, they do not know where your hands have been either. It is so easy to blame others; however, we must also be responsible.
When and How to Wash Your Hands
Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Learn when and how you should wash your hands to stay healthy.
Wash Your Hands Often to Stay Healthy
You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:
Before, during, and after preparing food
Before eating food
Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After using the toilet
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching garbage
Follow Five Steps to Wash Your Hands the Right Way
Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.
Follow these five steps every time.
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Why? Read the science behind the recommendations.
Use Hand Sanitizer When You Can’t Use Soap and Water
You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.
Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However,
Sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs.
Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
Hand sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and heavy metals.
Caution! Swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitizers can cause alcohol poisoning if more than a couple of mouthfuls are swallowed. Keep it out of reach of young children and supervise their use. Learn more here.
How to use hand
sanitizer
Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
Rub your hands together.
Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.
Now back to the real estate side of this article
Sellers – Keep your home tidy and clean. This will attract a buyer more quickly. Using the how and when is important for handwashing. Keep disinfectant handy as well as cleaning cloths. Using this as opposed to disposable wipes will reduce your “throw away” cost. In other words, the disposable items tend to be more expensive, but of course use them if you feel better than using washable items. You will want to wipe the door handles of all doors, including refrigerator handles, toilet handles, and light switches. This is something you may want to do after every showing. Reducing the spreading of germs, not only corona virus germs, but colds and flu as well, is an important way for us to stay healthy.
Buyers – same hold true for you as for sellers. Let’s use precautions when viewing a home for purchase. Gloves or a disposable cloth can be used for opening doors or simply allow your agent to open them for you. Using the how and when is important for handwashing. Wash your hands correctly on a regular basis and as described above. Keeping some disinfecting wipes in your car as you look at homes can help. Wipe down your steering wheel, gear shift, and any buttons, knobs you may touch in your car.
Bottom line – Be considerate of others, especially if you have people coming into your home or you are going into someone else’s home.
Should you have a topic you would like addressed, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you for reading my column and have a blessed week.
Here is your local realtor, Julè Dunham, signing off until next week.
Crye-Leike Realtors
Julè Dunham, Affiliate Broker, SRES, RENE. Contact her by phone at 901-828-8471 (cell) or 901-840-1181 (office) or by email to: [email protected] for an appointment to speak with you, your group or club.
“Let’s Make This Happen Together”