All You Need to Know About Light Switches & Electrical Outlet Covers
Cleaning the light switch and electrical cover plate may not be on your regular to-do list, but it should be. Why? They are prone to bacterial accumulation given the endless number of times our bare hands touch them throughout the day. And it’s even scarier when you imagine the different hands, other than yours, touching them. So, it is not hard to understand why light switches and outlets can become amongst the dirtiest objects in your home. That is why it's critical to clean them on regularly, particularly given the COVID19 pandemic. During uncertain times like this, clean surfaces can be the deciding factor for preventing sickness and wasting a week or more in bed. However, be diligent while cleaning them as they are associated with the inherent hazards of working with electrical current.
Take the Covers off
Before cleaning, cut off electricity to the outlet or switch at the breaker box. Then, safely and gently remove the light switch cover plate from the switch. Avoid spraying when it is still mounted to the wall. You could risk the collision of chemicals with active electrical circuits. Harsh spray cleansers can also ruin the surrounding paint and wall material.
The Type of Cover Material
Specialized cleaning methods may differ depending on the material used. So, find out about the material of the cover. The popular materials for switch covers are plastic, nylon, or acrylic. But, of course, there could be other variants such as steel, silver, brass, or even wood.
The Cleaning Process for Acrylic/ Plastic/ Nylon Covers
If you have the common types of covers, plastic, nylon, or acrylic—go ahead and soak them in a sink filled with soapy water, preferably warm, for about an hour. Then, please remove them and wipe them down with a rag or sponge to remove fingerprints and marks. Use a brush to scrub the adamant stains, such as stuck-on material that doesn’t come off during the soaking process. Once you’re happy with the cleaning, wipe them down and let the covers air dry for a few minutes before mounting them back to the switches and outlets.
The Cleaning Process Metal Covers
Spray a little layer of disinfectant on a rag and wipe them down. First, spray on the small area and see if it reacts to avoid risking metal stain. Instead of immersing in water for metals, use a metal polish suited for the type of metal. For example— you can use the regular silver polish for silver covers, brass polish for brass, etc. Steel is more durable, but if the steel is painted, avoid using an abrasive cleaner, leading to scratches.
The Cleaning Process for Wood Covers
Cleaning wood covers is slightly tricky— avoid submerging in water or the direct application of a disinfectant spray. First, you want to remove the covers and then wipe them down with liquid sanitizer. The next step is the spray, but like metal, test a small patch for color fastness. After that, apply furniture polish or wood oil to polish the wood covers. Then, reinstalling them back on the walls.
Visit Electrical Express at www.electrical.com.au to find out more about how to keep your light switch cover plates spotless and free of germs and bacteria.
