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This guidance tells you how to clean your home and car if you are isolating at home because you have mpox. This guidance applies for all types of mpox.

Why cleaning your home is important

The mpox virus can spread through contact with:

• contaminated surfaces and objects
• infected skin flakes

The virus can survive on surfaces for more than 2 weeks. Frequent and thorough cleaning during your isolation is one of the best things you can do to protect others in your household.

Cleaning using dry methods like dusting and hoovering can release the virus into the air rather than removing it. This can increase the chance of it spreading. Cleaning using wet methods like using a damp cloth or cleaning wipes is better because it does not release the virus into the air.

Who should carry out the cleaning

If you have mpox, it is best for you to carry out the cleaning yourself. If other people in the household carry out the cleaning, they are more likely to come into contact with contaminated surfaces that can spread the mpox virus, increasing their risk of catching mpox.

If you have mpox and you are not able to carry out the cleaning (for example, because you are in hospital), another adult in the household should clean the home. If your child is isolating with mpox, an adult in the house should clean the home.

If you are carrying out the cleaning but you are not the person who is isolating with mpox, it is recommended that you wear the following protective clothing while cleaning:

• surgical face mask that covers your nose and mouth - you should make sure that you only touch the straps of the mask when taking the mask off
• gloves
  • disposable gloves or
  • personal washing-up gloves (do not share)
  • all gloves should be thrown away after isolation ends
• clothes that cover up your skin as much as possible, for example a long-sleeved top and full-length trousers 鈥� these should be washed as soon as possible after the cleaning is finished

Note: The rest of this guidance assumes the person who is isolating is doing the cleaning.

Cleaning your home聽聽

Clean frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles and light switches, regularly.

Mpox virus particles can build up on flat surfaces. Clean surfaces using a damp cloth to prevent dust from building up. To prevent particles being released into the air do not sweep, brush or use a duster.

Do not use a vacuum cleaner (even HEPA filtered ones) as they may also blow particles into the air.

Clean shared bathrooms after each use, paying particular attention to areas you have touched. You can use normal household cleaning products such as:

• cleaning wipes
• disinfectants
• bleach

Washing dishes and cutlery

You should handle your own used dishes, cups, cutlery and other items. Use a dishwasher to clean these items if you have one, and make sure to clean the dishwasher door and handle after you have touched them. If you have mpox, you should avoid emptying the dishwasher at the end of the cleaning cycle if the dishes, cups and cutlery will be used by other people in the household. If you do not have a dishwasher, wash your own items using washing up liquid and warm water and leave them to air dry.

If you have lesions or a rash on your hands, wear single-use disposable gloves or reusable washing-up gloves. Do not share gloves with others, and throw them away when your isolation ends.

Cleaning your car聽聽聽聽聽

If it is essential for you to travel in a car while you are isolating, cover all skin lesions or rashes completely with long-sleeved tops, full-length trousers, scarves, or bandages for exposed areas to avoid direct contact with surfaces.

After the journey, wipe down all hard surfaces using a standard disinfectant or disinfectant wipes. Clean the upholstery with commercial alcohol spray (70% ethanol or isopropanol) or use a steam cleaner.

Wear gloves and a surgical face mask that covers your nose and mouth聽. Clean the car outdoors with the car doors open. Do not clean the car in a garage. Put any personal waste (such as used tissues) and disposable cleaning cloths in a sealed rubbish bag and dispose of with your household waste.聽

Cleaning items belonging to babies and children

If a child has mpox or is waiting for test results, things they touch will need cleaning regularly聽and should not be shared with other children.

To clean hard toys: wash with washing-up liquid and warm water or use detergent wipes, then let air dry.

To clean soft toys: machine wash at 60掳C (or the highest allowed temperature according to the label) using the longest wash cycle.

Clean baby bottles and dummies according to the manufacturer鈥檚 instructions.

Laundry

You should do your own laundry as mpox can spread through contact with clothing or linens used by someone with mpox. Keep your used laundry separate from the rest of the household鈥檚 laundry before it is washed to prevent other household members from touching it. Use your normal detergent and wash at 60掳C (or the highest allowed temperature according to the label) on the longest wash cycle. To ensure thorough cleaning, fill the machine half to two-thirds full and avoid quick wash or economy cycles.

When moving dirty laundry, avoid shaking the items as this can spread virus particles. Place items in a large plastic bag (such as a bin liner) or solid container and take them straight to the washing machine.

If you do not have a washing machine, you can hand wash using warm water and normal detergent in a large sink or bath. Remember to clean all surfaces afterwards.

Waste disposal

During isolation, do not put any waste you have touched into your recycling bin.

Dispose of all household waste (including tissues) in bin liners or large plastic bags:

• wrap any items that may tear the bag before throwing them away.
• wear disposable gloves when handling waste
• do not overfill the bag
• tie the bag securely