The worldwide pandemic has instilled fear in the hearts of everyone around the globe. From being extra cautious when it comes to personal hygiene to practising social distancing, people are going the extra mile to prevent themselves, their loved ones and the world at large from contracting this deadly infection.
While we’re told not to touch public objects such as elevator buttons, shopping carts, doorknobs and handles, etc. there is still a lot of confusion surrounding the way we should be handling essential items such as groceries amid this pandemic.
But that’s about to end today! We’ve put together a simple yet comprehensive guide to help you with the best way to handle your groceries and minimise the risk of contracting the infection.
- Wear a mask at all times when you’re outside
- Always start with washing your hands
- Remove any extra packaging
- Leave non-perishable items unattended for at least 24 hours
- Sanitize the packages
- Wash your veggies thoroughly
Wear a mask at all times when you’re outside
Every time you step out to buy your veggies and other groceries, wear a clean, sanitised mask. We also suggest you put on disposable gloves for extra protection. Additionally, always, we repeat, always maintain a safe distance from all the vendors as well as other shoppers to avoid catching the infection. Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer such as the Lifebuoy Hand Sanitizer with you at all times and keep using it frequently.
Always start with washing your hands
Just after you bring home the groceries, keep them aside and proceed to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds using moisturising soap and water. This will help kill any germs or bacteria that could be sitting on your hands. Only after doing this, should you move on to the next step.
BB recommends: Dove Nourishing Cucumber & Green Tea Scent Hand Wash
Remove any extra packaging
A lot of food items and groceries come with excess packaging. While the food inside may not be carrying the infecting agents, it is highly possible that the packaging could be. Therefore, always throw out any packaging and store the items in thoroughly washed and cleaned containers. Please note that at no point in time during this entire activity should you be touching your face.
Leave non-perishable items unattended for at least 24 hours
If whatever you’ve purchased is not exactly perishable, then the best way to deal with it is to leave it unattended next to the door for at least 24 hours before you touch it again. Alternatively, you could also empty the contents from the bag in a safer place like the garden or right outside your door, sanitize them there and then bring them inside to avoid bringing the infection inside your home.
Sanitize the packages
While you can’t empty every package, for eg. oil or shampoo, you can most definitely sanitise them. Simply take a hand sanitizer and wipe the package clean. Ensure that you clean every inch of the outer packaging. Needless to say, wash your hands immediately after.
Wash your veggies thoroughly
Now, this can be a bit tricky, but here’s what you can do: use a vegetable detergent (yes, it’s a thing) to disinfect your veggies. But in case you don’t have any handy, simply mix a very tiny amount of your regular handwash with lots of water and rinse the veggies with this mixture for at least 20 seconds. Rinse it thoroughly under running water and you’re good to go.
Written by Urvi Dalal on Apr 01, 2020
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!