Cleaning and Disinfecting COVID-19

Cleaning and Disinfecting COVID-19

With all of the information flying around, schools and businesses are likely wondering what the best method is for cleaning and disinfecting their facility to prevent and combat COVID-19.

Cleaning and Disinfecting COVID-19 - Palmdale, Lancaster, Bakersfield, Fresno, Valencia

Cleaning and Disinfecting Practices to Combat COVID-19

Across the country, businesses either are or will shortly begin to open up for normal operations.

However, concerns regarding ongoing COVID-19 transmission rates remain relatively high among many workers, students, and consumers.

A powerful set of tools for addressing these concerns and protecting occupant health and safety are high-performance, colloquially referred to as 'enhanced,' cleaning, and disinfection practices.

The trick is to know what kinds of services:

  • Have proven most effective at eliminating infectious disease.
  • Work quickly, and;
  • Protect occupant safety.

 

Classic Cleaning Routines Work Best

In regards to preventing the transmission of infectious disease while promoting occupant health and safety.

According to the industry magazine, CleanLink;

Interestingly, the CDC interim guidance specifically for childcare programs, K-12 schools, higher education, and business workplaces all emphasize sticking with your normal cleaning routine, using the cleaning products you would normally use, and as always, following the label directions for proper use.

Classic Cleaning Routines Are Made To Fight Coronavirus

Established cleaning and hygiene practices have proven most effective, including:

  • Clean First - Always clean with a commercial-grade detergent and microfiber product from top to bottom to remove dirt and oil, which will reduce the effectiveness of disinfectant products.
  • Clean Often - Regular cleaning with high-quality detergent products reduces the presence of many disease-causing germs and bacteria without introducing toxic chemicals into the environment.  Further, regular soap detergents destroy the lipid of enveloped viruses, such as COVID-19, which deactivates the virus.
  • Wash Your Hands - Washing your hands before eating, regularly throughout the day after touching germ hot spots, and before eating will significantly reduce the presence of germs and bacteria on your hands, thereby reducing the potential to spread illness to yourself or others, and;
  • General Hand Awareness - By now, we all know the routine--don't touch your face, cough and sneeze into your elbow, and watch what you touch when in public.

Something not commonly discussed that needs to be addressed in all facilities for multiple reasons is the addition of cross-contamination prevention methods, which include:

  • Smart microfiber towels.
  • The two-bucket cleaning method.
  • Zone cleaning, and;
  • Ordered cleaning checklists.

 

Advanced Disinfection Technologies

While cleaning removes dirt and oil, as well as deactivating enveloped viruses such as COVID-19, disinfecting kills germs, bacteria, mold, and mildew after a specific amount of time, commonly referred to as laytime.

In the past, disinfection meant going back over previously cleaned areas with a bottle of disinfectant and cleaning cloth or mop and wiping down all surfaces.

This practice is time-consuming and expensive and resulted in large areas being missed and inconsistent amounts of disinfectant being applied.

Newer technologies, such as foggers, UV appliances, and electrostatic disinfection appliances, combine EPA-registered medical-grade disinfection products with vaporization technologies to quickly apply a disinfectant solution throughout a facility.

While the effectiveness of foggers and  UV appliances remains somewhat dubious, given their inability to thoroughly coat all surfaces, electrostatic disinfection appliances have proven highly effective in classrooms in a Florida school district when combating influenza outbreaks, and use the same surface coating technologies found in electrostatic paint sprayers.

Regardless of the method, the 'secret' to success is to disinfect often, typically at the end of every day the facility is occupied, after a general clean up and wipe down of visible dirt and soil, combined with regular deep cleaning sessions at least once per week.

 

References & Resources

 

Takeaway

Cleaning and disinfecting in the age of the post-COVID-19 pandemic will not be that different for your school or business if you were already adhering to recommended high-performance cleaning, hygiene, and disinfection guidelines.

Regardless, for businesses to open early, remain open, and reduce the rate of infection to a number low enough to convince the leaders of their state and local governments to release restrictions on free travel and interaction, enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices are going to be the new normal for some time to come.

Outsourcing your facilities' enhanced cleaning and disinfection requirements to an experienced, trained, and well-equipped service provider is a proven method for rapidly and cost-effectively onboard these critical services.

If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation onsite assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!

In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 437-3253

In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059

In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253

In Palmdale CA, or Lancaster CA, call (661) 371-4756


Vanguard Cleaning Systems of the Southern Valley

Vanguard Cleaning Systems of the Southern Valley