IHPCIA's "Clean Right - Clean Bright" initiative towards a Swaatch , Swastha and Atmanirbhar Bharat by use sustainable home care products in concentrated forms without the use of minerals, reduced plastic use and conservation of water and energy.

Cleanliness and its importance
Cleanliness is next to Godliness. We've heard this phrase many times. But do we follow this? A lot of people don't, even though we should. However, some of us don't even respect the people who clean the trash. There are a lot of cons for not maintaining cleanliness. Cleanliness should be followed by everyone. Let's find out more about it.

Introduction to Cleanliness
Cleanliness means that there is no dirt, no dust, no stains, no bad smells. The goals of cleanliness are health, beauty, absence of offensive odour and to avoid the spreading of dirt and contaminants to oneself and others.
With the help of cleanliness, we can keep our physical and mental health clean, which will make us feel good. Cleanliness gives rise to a good character by keeping body, mind, and soul clean and peaceful. Maintaining cleanliness is the essential part of healthy living because it is the cleanliness only which helps to improve our personality by keeping clean externally and internally.
It is everybody's responsibility and one should keep themselves and their surroundings clean and hygienic. It also brings good and positive thoughts in the mind which slows down the occurrence of diseases.

Importance of Cleanliness
Sanitation and neatness play an important role in our day to day routine. It is important as it prevents dangerous diseases like Dengue, typhoid, hepatitis, and other diseases caused by mosquito bite, etc.
Diseases like Jaundice, Cholera, Ascariasis, Leptospirosis, Ringworm, Scabies, Schistosomiasis, Trachoma, etc can be spread due to eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water or living in an unhygienic condition. Trash also spread bad odour which is difficult to tolerate. There will also be an accumulation of trash and dirt if clean measures aren't taken.

Some of the clean habits that you should follow are listed below:

• One should always wash their hands before eating.
• You should brush your teeth at least twice.
• No one should litter.
• Taking a bath every day is mandatory.
• Washing hands after playing is also very essential.
• Covering your nose while sneezing or covering your mouth while yawning is also necessary.
• If someone has pests and rodents in their house, they must get rid of them as soon as possible.
• One must always cover their food.

Evidence shows everyday hygiene is essential to help prevent the spread of infections

According to a new Position Paper published in the American Journal of Infection Control online, improved everyday hygiene practices, such as handwashing, can help to significantly reduce the risk of common infections. Evidence shows risk reduction can be up to 50%. With the increased hygiene efforts being deployed to delay the spread of COVID-19, the Global Hygiene Council's (GHC) public health experts are now calling for even greater attention to improved hygiene behaviour in homes and communities to help reduce the spread of infection.

This Position Papers, developed on behalf of the GHC, explores evidence that following everyday hygiene measures in homes and community settings (including workplaces, universities, schools, nurseries, on public transport and during shopping and leisure activities) can play a vital role in containing and delaying the threat from infectious microorganisms. Multiple studies demonstrate that harmful bacteria and viruses can be transferred from an infected individual to other people via hands and frequently touched surfaces and can survive in enough numbers to cause an infection.

Regular handwashing and surface disinfection are key hygiene measures that can help reduce the levels of microorganisms on hands and frequently touched surfaces. Adopting a hygienic approach in our homes and everyday lives offers a way to maximize protection against infection, at the times and places where there is the greatest risk of transmission.

According to the lead author, Jean-Yves Maillard, Professor of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, at Cardiff University; "In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic and evidence presented in this Paper, it is more urgent than ever for us all to recognize the role of community hygiene to minimize the spread of infections. This also helps to reduce the consumption of antibiotics and helps the fight against antimicrobial resistance."

At this time of increased concern, the Global Hygiene Council is calling for health agencies and healthcare professionals to recognize the importance of advising the public of the importance of hygiene in their home and community settings to minimize the spread of infections.

Cleaning and hygiene tips to help keep the COVID-19 virus out of your home
From doing laundry to preparing meals - every day measures to help protect your family.

Can you catch the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from food? How should I do laundry now? Mundane household tasks have turned into a source of uncertainty and anxiety as families grapple with getting the basics done all while keeping their loved ones safe and healthy. Widespread misinformation about the virus puts everyone at risk and adds to the stress of having to filter fact from fiction.

While research into the COVID-19 virus is ongoing, we know the virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (through coughing and sneezing), and touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. The virus may survive on surfaces for a few hours up to several days. The good news? Simple disinfectants can kill it. Now what does this mean for your home?

To give parents a helping hand, we compiled the latest expert information on what is known about COVID-19 and tips to help keep it out of your home.

Cleaning and hygiene tips to protect against COVID-19

Personal hygiene

Simple hygiene measures can help protect your family's health and everyone else's.

Don't touch your face
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Don't cough or sneeze into your hands
Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of used tissue immediately.

Keep your distance
Maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing.

Wash, wash, wash your hands
Yes, you're hearing it everywhere, because it's the best line of defense. Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20-30 seconds.

An easy way to time it with your children is by singing the full happy birthday song, twice.

Make sure to wash hands after you blow your nose, sneeze into a tissue, use the restroom, when you leave and return to your home, before preparing or eating food, applying make-up, handling contact lenses etc.
If using a hand sanitizer ensure that it contains at least 60 per cent alcohol, ensure coverage on all parts of the hands and rub hands together for 20-30 seconds until hands feel dry. If hands are visibly dirty, always wash hands with soap and water.

Did you know? Cold water and warm water are equally effective at killing germs and viruses - as long as you use soap and wash your hands the right way!

Cleaning around the home

Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces in your home regularly is an important precaution to lower the risk of infection.

Follow cleaning product instructions for safe and effective use, including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation.
Some national authorities have made lists of recommended products for use against the COVID-19 virus.

High-touch surfaces to clean and disinfect
Every home is different, but common high-touch surfaces include: Door handles, tables, chairs, handrails, kitchen and bathroom surfaces, taps, toilets, light switches, mobile phones, computers, tablets, keyboards, remote controls, game controllers and favourite toys.

What to use to clean and disinfect
If a surface is dirty, first clean it with soap or detergent and water. Then use a disinfectant product containing alcohol (of around 70 per cent) or bleach. Vinegar and other natural products are not recommended.
In many places it can be difficult to find disinfectant sprays and wipes. In such cases, continue to clean with soap and water. Diluted household bleach solutions may also be used on some surfaces.

How to disinfect

It's important not to wipe cleaning solutions off as soon as you've applied it to a surface. Many disinfectant products, such as wipes and sprays, need to stay wet on a surface for several minutes in order to be effective. Always read the directions to make sure you're using the products as recommended and to avoid damaging sensitive items such as mobile phones and other electronic devices. Consider using wipeable covers for electronics.

Cleaning clothes

It is currently unclear how long the COVID-19 virus can survive on fabric, but many items of clothing have plastic and metal elements on which it might live for a few hours to several days.

Exercise caution and common sense. Good practices to consider include removing your shoes when you enter your home and changing into clean clothes when you return home after being in crowded places, and washing your hands with soap and water immediately afterwards.

Doing laundry at home
Clean bed sheets, towels and clothes regularly.

• Don't shake dirty laundry to minimize the possibility of dispersing the virus through the air.
• Launder items with soap or detergent, using the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely - both steps help to kill the virus.
• Wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub, immediately afterwards.
• Wash or disinfect your laundry bag and hamper as well. Consider storing laundry in disposable bags.

Doing laundry outside your home
If you need to use laundry facilities outside of your home, take sensible precautions:

• Prepare laundry before leaving your home to help minimize the amount of time you spend outside.
• Try to go at a time when there are fewer people.
• Maintain physical distance to other people.
• Wear disposable gloves if available, disinfect the surfaces of all machines you use and don't touch your face.
• For indoor laundry facilities, wait outside for your laundry to finish if you can.
• Fold your laundry at home.
• Wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub, immediately afterwards.
• Wash or disinfect your laundry bag/ hamper as well. Consider storing laundry in disposable bags.

If you don't have access to laundry facilities, hand wash your clothes at home with soap or detergent and the warmest appropriate water.

Handling and preparing food

While at present there is no evidence of people catching the COVID-19 virus from food or food packaging, it may be possible that people can become infected by touching a surface or object contaminated by the virus and then touching their face.

The greater risk comes from being in close contact with other people while outside food shopping or receiving a food delivery (as receiving any delivery in areas with local transmission). As always, good hygiene is important when handling food to prevent any food-borne illnesses.

Food packaging and handling precautions

• Remove any unnecessary packaging and dispose into a waste bin with a lid.
• Remove food from take-out containers, place on a clean plate and dispose of the container.
• Packaging like cans can be wiped clean with a disinfectant before being opened or stored.
• Wash unpackaged produce, such as fruit and vegetables, thoroughly under running water.
• Wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub, immediately afterwards.

General food hygiene tips

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before preparing any food.
• Use separate chopping boards to prepare uncooked meat and fish.
• Cook food to the recommended temperature.
• Where possible, keep perishable items refrigerated or frozen, and pay attention to product expiry dates.
• Aim to recycle or dispose of food waste and packaging in an appropriate and sanitary manner, avoiding build-up of refuse which could attract pests.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before eating and make sure your children do the same.
• Always use clean utensils and plates.

Breaking the chain of infection

There are many different germs and infections inside and outside of the healthcare setting. Despite the variety of viruses and bacteria, germs spread from person to person through a common series of events. Therefore, to prevent germs from infecting more people, we must break the chain of infection. No matter the germ, there are six points at which the chain can be broken and a germ can be stopped from infecting another person. The six links include: the infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.

• Infectious agent is the pathogen (germ) that causes diseases
• Reservoir includes places in the environment where the pathogen lives (this includes people, animals and insects, medical equipment, and soil and water)
• Portal of exit is the way the infectious agent leaves the reservoir (through open wounds, aerosols, and splatter of body fluids including coughing, sneezing, and saliva)
• Mode of transmission is the way the infectious agent can be passed on (through direct or indirect contact, ingestion, or inhalation)
• Portal of entry is the way the infectious agent can enter a new host (through broken skin, the respiratory tract, mucous membranes, and catheters and tubes)
• Susceptible host can be any person (the most vulnerable of whom are receiving healthcare, are immunocompromised, or have invasive medical devices including lines, devices, and airways)

The way to stop germs from spreading is by interrupting this chain at any link. Break the chain by cleaning your hands frequently, staying up to date on your vaccines (including the flu shot), covering coughs and sneezes and staying home when sick, following the rules for standard and contact isolation, using personal protective equipment the right way, cleaning and disinfecting the environment, sterilizing medical instruments and equipment, following safe injection practices, and using antibiotics wisely to prevent antibiotic resistance.

Our members response to Covid-19

Several members of IHPCIA have taken proactive and positive steps toward the objectives of a Swaatch and Swastha Bharat. This is through user education programs and products which sanitize, disinfect and clean. These essential products help fight against covid-19. For further details of members contributions and awareness campaigns, kindly contact IHPCIA secretariat.