As the coronavirus outbreak continues accelerating worldwide, cleaning essentials are sold out and many are worried about what they touch. There has been a lot of talk about the virus staying in surfaces for long periods of time, but how long are we talking about here?

There is no exact answer, as it depends on the surface the virus sits on and what it’s made of. Based on new analyses, here is the length of time COVID-19 can last on certain surfaces:

• Up in open air: Up to three hours
• Copper: Up to four hours
• Cardboard: Up to 24 hours
• Plastic and stainless steel: Up to 72 hours

Other studies have shown that if the COVID-19 is similar to other human coronaviruses such as MERS and SARS, it may stay on surfaces for as long as nine days! This is compared to the flu virus, which lasts on surfaces for up to 48 hours.

Fortunately, not all these viruses will remain active if it stays on surfaces at temperatures higher than 30 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, the virus can be wiped off effectively with the use of wipes and commercial grade disinfectants.

Either way, it’s recommended that you clean your home and high-traffic surfaces daily, or at least, once you have arrived home from public areas.

For successful disinfection, be sure to use products with at least 60% ethanol, 0.1% bleach, and/or 0.5% hydrogen peroxide. This can inactivate coronaviruses within one minute. You can also use alcohol solutions that contain at least 70% alcohol, just be sure to choose cleaning products that are EPA-registered.

There are still many studies that need to be done in order to discover the lifespan of viruses outside the air and how to get rid of it properly.

So continue to stay updated with trusted news and make sure to clean your surfaces as recommended.