Living and DiningPurifying And Protecting Your Home From Germs And Nasties

Avoiding the sniffles year-round can become an art form when dealing with new strains of COVID-19, nasty germs or even the common cold.

As attitudes shift to learning to live alongside the virus, it’s important for Aussies to start implementing prevention processes to safeguard our spaces moving forward.

But to move forward, we need to first step back to 4000 B.C.E. Interestingly, the materials used then to protect against infections have assisted in pioneering a path for new revolutionary technology. Silver-ion technology has been and will continue to protect our most vulnerable Australians against viruses, germs, and bacteria.

Omega Industries President and interior expert, Ash Shetty, realises that when fighting microbials, silver outweighs gold. An expert on these invisible opponents, he speaks to Making Home to share his tips on ensuring that you and your loved ones stay protected and healthy.

Ash suggests a three pronged approach to purifying and protecting your home from germs and nasties.

PREVENT

• Follow the basic prevention protocols by keeping up good hand hygiene
• Clean high traffic areas such as entries, kitchens, hallways, bathrooms and living rooms focusing on doorknobs, light switches, handles, remote controls, taps and doors
• Invest in antiviral and antibacterial paint such as Pro Coat Interior AntiViral+ to reduce the risk of transmissions of COVID-19 and the flu. AntiViral+ utilises silver ion technology to kill viruses on impact
• Set up a designated station in your space for hand sanitiser, spare face masks, tissues and a bin for used face masks

PROTECT

• Regularly clean or replace your air conditioning filters to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria and invest in a HEPA air filter for extra protection
• Alternatively, use a purifier appliance with a HEPA filter to remove contaminants from the air
• Clean bed sheets, towels and clothes regularly using the highest appropriate water setting
• Wear disposable latex gloves when cleaning and dispose of after use in a closed bin

DISINFECT

• Use a TGA recommended disinfectant for cleaning that is effective against COVID-19 and flu
• Alternatively, use diluted household bleach solution with a ratio of four teaspoons of bleach per one litre of water
• Create air flow within your space during and after disinfecting and avoid mixing your cleaning products as it can lead to the formation of toxic substances
• Disinfect your electronics using an alcohol wipe, especially if they’re shared

Sometimes making these small adjustments can make the world of difference! Whatever stage you’re at with your home – be it building, renovating or refreshing with a coat of paint – it’s always the right time to implement preventative processes. Act now to stay safe later.

*Pro Coat Interior AntiViral+ has a 99.9% efficacy neutralising viruses, bacteria and other germs including COVID-19 (HCoV-229E), Influenza A virus (H3N2), Methicillin-resident Staphyloccoccus aures (MRSA), E. coli and bacteriophage (MS2)

Ashvat (Ash) Shetty an MBA graduate from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM) founded Omega Industries less than seven years ago. Shetty was born in Muscat, Oman and at the age of six, migrated with his family to Sydney, Australia. Majority of Ash Shetty’s early childhood memories came from helping with tasks around the small manufacturing unit such as sweeping floors, labelling cans and accompanying his father on paint deliveries to local customers. By the age of 20, after accumulating years of exposure in the paint industry, Ash Shetty decided to branch out on his own and start a paint contracting business. Very quickly Shetty realised the lucrative margins and unique offerings a painting company with its own manufacturing plant could offer. In 2012, Shetty and his father merged their respective businesses Omega Painting and Omega Paints into Omega Industries.