The coronavirus pandemic has forever changed the commercial cleaning industry. Hygiene and safety have never been more critical, so general janitorial cleaning services alone are no longer sufficient for business operations. It has become necessary to diligently, regularly disinfect all high touch points in areas accessed by groups of people, including door handles, light switches, stair railings, elevator buttons, and more.
What Is Disinfecting? How Is It Different From Sanitizing?
Before the era of COVID-19, sanitizing and disinfecting may have been two interchangeable terms. Back then, all that mattered was that office areas and commercial buildings were visibly clean. Unless they owned a healthcare facility, most business owners did not need to split hairs between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting.
At the dawn of the pandemic, it became crucial to make sure that all surfaces are completely free from germs. This is where disinfecting comes in. By definition, disinfecting a surface means eliminating all germs, bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi. This is done by using strong chemicals called disinfectants that kill 99.999% of microorganisms.
In contrast, sanitization only means reducing the number of germs on a surface. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines sanitizers as able to kill 99.9% of germs—this efficacy does not include viruses or fungi.
Commercial Disinfecting Services
In 2021, sanitizing high-traffic areas is not enough. Disinfectants are much more powerful, and they are best used on surfaces that many people touch day in and day out. You need qualified professionals to regularly disinfect all high-contact areas in your office or commercial building.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists these best practices for cleaning and disinfection in buildings in community settings:
1. Clean surfaces with soap and water before disinfecting. Soap removes contaminants and weakens virus particles, reducing the risk of infection.
2. Disinfecting kills most remaining germs on surfaces. You can choose to clean and disinfect more than once a day if there is a high transmission of COVID-19 in your community, if someone in the building has tested positive for COVID-19, or if your space caters to populations at risk for severe illness.
3. While disinfecting, ensure that the area is adequately ventilated and that all cleaners are wearing gloves. Safety glasses may be necessary if stated in the safety instructions or if cleaners are disinfecting spaces with risk of splashing.
4. Use EPA-approved and registered disinfectant products. If these products aren’t available, bleach solution (240 ml bleach diluted with 18.9 L water) can be used on non-food contact surfaces.
5. Read safety instructions and follow all application instructions included on the label of your disinfectant.
Use Disinfectants Safely
Disinfectants effectively eliminate almost all germs, pathogens, and contaminants from most surfaces. They contain very strong chemicals, so all those who use them need to take safety precautions.
Disinfectants may be hazardous to the skin and respiratory system. All persons using disinfectants should at least wear gloves and make sure that the area is ventilated. Anyone with chronic respiratory issues such as asthma should not handle disinfectants. Do not use disinfectants on food-contact surfaces.
Conclusion
COVID-19 is a community-wide issue that requires everyone to make adjustments to their daily habits. Extra measures during the cleaning and disinfection processes of commercial areas are necessary. Professional disinfecting services will help you make sure that everyone remains safe and healthy.
If you are looking for commercial cleaning services in Orange County, CA, Say Clean Commercial Cleaning is here for you. We offer a wide range of cleaning services, including disinfection, healthcare cleaning, janitorial cleaning, day porter services, and even custom cleaning plans for your specific needs. Get a free estimate today!
