Things to remember about cleaning as the Delta Variant spreads
Over the past year, there has been a heightened sense of urgency around cleaning, especially in the hospitality arena. That urgency began to fade away while the country started to open up and restrictions loosened. Unfortunately, with the spread of the Delta Variant, it is important that cleaning does not become just a passing fad.
This article will address a few simple reminders about keeping your guests, customers, family, and friends safe.
Remember, there is a difference between cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing.
You will need to determine what your objective is when beginning the cleaning process. Do you want to simply remove the existence of dirt and debris, reduce the number of harmful germs, kill germs that are present, or totally eliminate any and all microorganisms?
Remember what cleaning is.
Cleaning physically removes dirt and debris from a surface or object. Cleaning also removes a large percentage of germs and allergens. Cleaning is usually conducted with the use of warm water and soap or detergent. It is important to remove visible dirt prior to sanitizing, disinfecting, or sterilizing. This will enhance the cleaning process and effectiveness of any eradication of germs. Cleaning does not kill germs; it simply removes them. Keeping an area clean will help stop the spread of germs. This starts by cleaning up spills, vacuuming the floors, and maintaining bathroom and food service areas. Removing dust is a large component of better air quality as well.
Remember what sanitizing is.
Sanitizing is the process of reducing the number of germs and bacteria on a surface. The goal is to reduce the number of harmful bacteria to a public safety standard. Areas that are usually sanitized are food preparation areas and bathrooms.
Remember what disinfecting is.
Disinfecting is the process that kills harmful bacteria and viruses. Disinfectants use chemicals to achieve their killing power. You will want to verify that the products you select to use are both antiviral and antibacterial. Disinfectants are approved by the EPA. Most can be found on the EPA N-List. We encourage our customers to use products like Clean Republic Disinfectant + Sanitizer or Aseptic Plus Disinfectant.
Clean Republic is safe to use, is environmentally friendly, and has been tested and proven by the EPA to kill SARS-Cov-2 (Covid19) in 60 seconds. This revolutionary breakthrough makes the Clean Republic product a faster kill than both Lysol and Clorox. EPA Reg. No. 85134-1
Aseptic Plus is an EPA registered hospital-grade disinfectant cleaner, mold killer, and effective odor eliminator. EPA Reg. No. 82972-1
Remember what sterilizing is.
Sterilization is the process of totally eliminating all microorganisms. This element of the cleaning process is seldom employed in residential settings or in the hospitality industry. It is most commonly a process that is conducted in a medical field, in surgical settings, and in select laboratories.
Remember what germs are.
Bacteria, viruses, and fungi are all commonly referred to as germs. Not all bacteria, viruses, and fungi are harmful. However, pathogens are germs that can cause disease.
Remember the soft surfaces too.
Soft surfaces are often forgotten or overlooked. It is important not to forget that soft surfaces have the ability to harbor bacteria and viruses. Soft surfaces include carpets, rugs, bed coverings, pillows, sofas, and chairs.
Remember the low-risk areas.
Low-risk areas such as walls and ceilings should not be forgotten either. Although these areas are seldom or never touched, it is important that they stay clean.
Remember basic cleaning protocols.
Remove all visible debris. Wash the surface or item with warm water and soap or a detergent. Thoroughly rinse the cleaned area to remove all detergent or soap residue. Allow the surface area to dry. Select an appropriate disinfectant such as Clean Republic or Aseptic Plus. Apply the disinfectant and allow the specified dwell time. Dwell time is the amount of time the product is recommended to set undisturbed on the surface. Not allowing the disinfect to set long enough could limit its effectiveness.
Remember to read the labels of the cleaning products.
There is much you can learn by simply reading a cleaning product’s label. The label should indicate if the product is just a surface cleaner or if it has disinfectant attributes. You can verify what type of PPE is needed. You can verify if the product is approved by the EPA. You will be able to verify what is on their kill claims list. Also, you can verify any dwell time or time that the solution needs to let stand without being wiped.
Remember PPE is required for certain cleaning supplies.
Some cleaning solutions require gloves while others may require a mask. Cleaning and maintenance staff who come in contact with potentially harmful chemicals in cleaning supplies should be certain to take every precaution to ensure that they are adequately protected at all times while cleaning.
Remember the importance of choosing your cleaning and disinfectant products.
Select eco-friendly products when possible. Always choose disinfectant products that are on the EPA N-List. Both Clean Republic and Aseptic Plus are on the EPA N-List.
Remember that the highest cost component in cleaning is the labor that it takes to accomplish the task.
The cost of cleaning labor can be reduced by technology. Cleaning staff physically wiping every surface area can become very labor-intensive. One efficient way to ensure that the disinfectant solution is thoroughly applied is by using an electrostatic handheld sprayer or electrostatic backpack sprayer. This technology can often reach areas that cannot be reached manually.
Remember the adverbs of cleaning – how, when, where and to what extent?
- How: Utilize technology when possible. Reduce labor hours by disinfecting with an electrostatic sprayer and always use an EPA approved solution.
- When: Always keep surfaces clean. Get in the habit of wiping surfaces.
- Where: Disinfect high-touch surface areas such as door knobs, pull handles, faucets, countertops, toilet handles, light switches, and electronic remote-control devices.
- To what extent: Cleaning needs to be done whenever an area has been exposed. Also, CDC regulations and guidelines should always be followed in cleaning procedures.
- Why: To help mitigate risk factors and to retain customer loyalty.
Let your mind be at ease knowing your property is clean, sanitized, and disinfected as your hotel rooms sell out, as your family comes to visit, and as friends party with you into the night.
Please let Bed Bug Heat Doctor/PrevSol be the first call you make when you need to order your disinfectant and electrostatic sprayers. Call us today at 844-364-3281.