How long can COVID-19 live on different surfaces?

You’re furiously scrubbing places you haven’t cleaned in years and frequently disinfecting the “high-touch” areas of your house, but how often should you actually be cleaning different surfaces?

According to Harvard Medical School, “A recent study found that the COVID-19 coronavirus can survive up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard, and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel. The researchers also found that this virus can hang out as droplets in the air for up to three hours before they fall. But most often they will fall more quickly.”

However, there’s a lot we still don’t know, such as how different conditions, such as exposure to sunlight, heat, or cold, can affect these survival times, according to Harvard Medical School.

They also recommend that If surfaces are dirty, clean them first by using a detergent and water, and then follow up by disinfecting them. A list of products suitable for use against COVID-19 is available here.