About the Author
Pamela Gonzalez is the Executive Director of UltraCleanUSA.com & Operations Manager of JNE GREEN TEAM, Inc. a professional services firm specializing in Sanitization/Disinfecting in the Houston area.
By Pamela Gonzalez
Edited by John Fierst
The spread of COVID-19 has caused a rise in purchases of cleaning and disinfectant products across the nation, causing shortages that could make some areas like schools, offices and public spaces more vulnerable and increasing the risk of getting infected. Cleaning and disinfecting are an essential part of helping slow the spread of the virus in all environments, so first, let’s understand the differences between these terms.
Cleaning removes germs and dirt from surfaces. You can use soap and water to clean surfaces. This doesn’t always kill germs, but removing them lowers their numbers. It’s suggested to clean surfaces before you disinfect them.
Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces. Disinfectant chemicals are stronger than soap but do not necessarily clean visibly dirty surfaces or remove germs. Killing germs lowers the risk of infection. To properly disinfect, products need to remain on a surface for a specific amount of time — usually 3 to 5 minutes.
Sanitizing also kills germs, but disinfecting kills more of them. Some products are capable of doing both, but disinfecting requires a bit more work. Still, sanitizers effectively lower the risk of infection.
There are things you can do at home to protect against the COVID-19 by following the advice in this article, and your first step is to identify your most frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as:
- Door knobs
- Furniture
- Tables and chairs
- Light switches
- Handles
- Desks
- Toilets
- Faucets
- Toys
- Sinks
- Remote controllers
- Any surfaces kids can reach
Disinfecting Surfaces and Objects
No disinfectants on the market today have actually been tested on the actual novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. However, we do know that a related virus, the SARS-Cov-2 virus, is an enveloped virus, which is normally the easiest class of viruses to kill on surfaces. Simply use products safely and pay close attention to hazard warnings and directions on product labels. Cleaning and disinfecting products often require the use of gloves or eye protection, especially if you are working with bleach. Do not mix cleaners and disinfectants unless the labels indicate it is safe to do since the combination of these products may result in serious injuries. To clean these surfaces with at home products:
1.- Start by using gloves to protect your skin from any chemicals.
2.- Prepare a disinfectant solution by mixing bleach and water. Per every 1/3rd cup of bleach use a gallon of water (remember bleach is a concentrate that needs to be diluted).
3.- Pre-clean and spray over frequently touched surfaces. These surfaces must remain wet for at least 5 minutes.
4.- Wipe down residue with a clean rag, and dispose properly.
Handling Waste
Always follow standard procedures for handling harsh chemicals. This includes wearing gloves and throwing away immediately after using them. Avoid touching used tissues and other waste when emptying waste baskets. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after emptying waste baskets and touching used tissues and similar waste.
Taking Care of Public Spaces
Now, for public spaces such as schools, offices, hotels, grocery stores, parks, and other places, the environment is more conducive for the virus to spread. The sanitation of these places are essential and must be precise. If you have an office, store, or business where people come and go, it is very important to disinfect regularly to protect your employees and yourself. Here are some tips that make it easier for people to clean and disinfect and to encourage others to be involved.
- Maintain a proper and daily cleaning routine. Clean work spaces are less likely to contain bacteria that leads to the spread of virus.
- Make it easier for others. Cleaning is something that not everyone wants to do, but if it is accessible and convenient, it is easier for others to follow.
- Develop a sense of responsibility. Encourage personal responsibility by making it clear what the expectations are. Create a protocol to follow for employees after a certain task.
- Use rewards and sanctions. These two things play a central role in developing responsible behavior. People enjoy being acknowledged for doing the right thing!
- Demonstrate commitment. Sustain leadership, promote a long term vision, and model the actions you are asking others to do.
Public spaces that are clean, safe and user friendly promote community participation in taking care of them. In businesses or offices, customers and patients feel secure and have a sense of assurance that they are being treated in a clean and safe place. In contrast, if public places are dirty and cared for poorly, they are more likely to bring unwanted behavior and the consequences range from losing customers/attendees to bringing in health hazards such as broken glass, syringes, or even fire hazards from cigarette butts.
The use of cleaning professional services are always a great investment in your company or in open public spaces. They not only clean and dispose of unwanted material, but they disinfect and sanitize frequently touched surfaces. What most people do not know is that different surfaces and home items require different cleaning techniques and chemicals. Professionals ensure that the proper protocols are followed leaving a safe environment for people to enjoy and reduce the chance of getting sick through contamination.
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Thank you so much for your advices.👏🏻
I learned about the difference among Cleaning, Disinfecting and Sanitizing. It is important thay we stay home and continue safe protocols. #stayhome
Very good information here! It dispells some terms that people might be confused about and presents recommended practices for spatial hygiene.
Value information, articles like these are indispensables on these times thank you for providing details of how to properly clean and disinfect the most common areas around our environment, sometimes we are so busy in the routine that we forgot clean or disinfect our surroundings; definitely I am sharing this article for the safety of our society specially the ones we love. Worth the read thank you again!!