Since mid-March 2020 our homes are cleaner than ever and we’ve been washing our hands, sanitizing, and cleaning everything we handle like never before. Obviously frequent hand washing, social distancing, and the use of face masks have become standard guidelines for navigating today’s COVID-19 environment. As a result of this caution and cleanliness, home hygiene has become equally important as well.  

In a recent Freudenberg survey, 80% of respondents claimed they felt the need to disinfect and scrub their homes because maintaining a safe home space was more important to them than ever before.

Unsurprisingly, sales of household cleaning and disinfectant products have seen huge growth along with this recent home cleaning surge. This is part of why our homes are cleaner.

But whether it’s because we’re trying to keep our homes more germ-free during the pandemic or because it’s easier to notice how dirty the baseboards have gotten when we’re spending so much time in our houses, Americans are buying way more cleaning products than they were last year. And the numbers are stark.

If you’re a fan of the multi-purpose cleaning wipe, you know that those have been widely sold out or in limited supply for months. But other category cleaners are also flying off the shelves. Cleaning supplies are up 14% overall nationally, and some products, like kitchen surface cleaners are up a whopping 68%.

Taking a look at spending habits before and during COVID provides fascinating insight into what has changed, and it is interesting to see exactly what kinds of cleaning products are in greater use compared to others. For instance, all purpose cleaners are having a nearly 50% increase, while bathroom cleaners are up just 6%. (Hopefully, that’s because we were always cleaning our bathrooms well, right?!) 

Here is how cleaning product purchasing over the last year breaks down by category:

• Bathroom Cleaner – increased 6%
• All-Purpose Cleaner – increased 49%
• Kitchen Surface Cleaners – increased 68%
• Dish Detergent and Soaps – increased 12%
• Laundry Supplies – increased 5%
• Cleaning Tools – increased 19%

Additionally, U.S. hand soap sales climbed by around 60% in the first half of the year and continue to see strong demand. Clearly, hygiene and health are two factors that customers are, and will continue to be, focused on. 

Now, buying and having the cleaning products on hand is a strong first step. But actually using those products is necessary to maintain a clean home.

In addition to feeling more vigilant — and in some cases a desire to hoard products we feel we’ll need — Americans are admitting that all of the home-time during quarantine has caused us to also become more lax about house rules like eating in front of the TV or leaving towels and clothing on the floor. 

With families spending more time at home now than perhaps ever before, working from home, and learning virtually, it’s expected that carpets and area rugs might need a little more attention than usual. There will likely be more everyday spills, debris, and pet hair. 

But is this dirt getting a pass as we focus our cleaning efforts on disinfecting?

Reducing germs throughout the home environment makes the place safer for everyone. And maintaining a clean, sanitary home pays dividends not only in reducing your risk of picking up germs that can make you sick, but it also makes your abode a safer and more inviting place for your family to grow and thrive.  

Now, more than ever, be sure to regularly clean and disinfect your home to stay healthy! Here’s how: 

On a daily basis, you should disinfect high-touch surfaces that your household members touch regularly. Things like:

• Doorknobs
• Light switches
• Refrigerator handles
• Cabinet handles
• Railings

But make sure to create a schedule to regularly tidy, clean, and disinfect all the common areas of your home as well. This includes your bathroom, dining room, living room (definitely remember high-touch items here, like remote controls), and so on.

With all of the household cleaners, hand sanitizers, soaps, and cleaning gels that are at the top of consumer’s shopping lists, one might think that the nation had raised its national standard of home hygiene. Just remember that simply having the cleaner — as well as those good intentions — won’t keep you and your family safe… but living in a cleaner house actually might!