Coronavirus Archives

December 9, 2021 BY KleenMark

IN Coronavirus, COVID-19, Disinfection, Facility Management, Health Care, Manufacturing, Office Cleaning, Services

Force of Infection: What is it, does it matter for disinfection?

Since the pandemic hit, you’ve probably learned a lot of new germ-related terms. But one you may not be that familiar with is force of infection, an important thing to consider as you determine the future of your facility’s disinfection program.

Force of infection, or FOI, is the rate at which individuals in a population acquire an infectious disease over a period of time. In layman’s terms, FOI shows how many people are getting sick and how quickly it’s happening.

So, why does this matter to you? Because as you consider what your long-term disinfection protocol will look like, you need to know that FOI has the potential to be impacted by germ-covered sources, making it important to continue disinfecting surfaces.

Why You Need to Understand Force of Infection

This year, the journal NPJ Vaccines published the article “Force of infection: a determinant of vaccine efficacy?” The journal, which is part of Nature Magazine is a scientific publication dedicated to highlighting the most important advances in vaccine research and development.

The focus of the article was to examine whether a lower FOI impacts the effectiveness of vaccines. In the study, they looked at two groups of people: One that had received a rotavirus (diarrhea) vaccine and another that was given a malaria vaccine. In both instances, a lower FOI led to higher vaccine efficacy (VE).

The question then becomes: Do non-pharmaceutical interventions (this is a fancy term for bucketing things like disinfectants and proper PPE usage into one group) help lower force of infection?

In the NPJ Vaccines article, the author argues that, yes, proper disinfection efforts could reduce FOI and “therefore enhance or sustain VE”. Therefore, in the context of a pandemic, continuing to use non-pharmaceutical interventions to manage disease spread “seems prudent and … quite urgent.”

As the number of new COVID-19 cases ebbs and flows, and as new variants continue to pop up, we felt that it’s important to highlight the ongoing role proper disinfection can play in reducing the presence of germs that could impact force of infection, and subsequently the health of your employees and visitors.

Develop a Disinfection Program That Works

To ensure your facility is on top of its disinfection game, you need to incorporate several elements into your cleaning program.

Day Porter Disinfection

Yes, most deep cleaning happens when your facility is empty. But with people coming and going, it’s important you maintain a high level of cleanliness. This not only improves the health of your facility but it also gives people the peace of mind that you’re taking intentional steps to reduce the amount of germs in your building. Adding an extra day porter – or reassigning your existing day-cleaning staff – will allow you to focus on keeping high-traffic areas clean and disinfected. With more people using more soap, hand sanitizer and towels, they’ll also focus on keeping those products stocked. This day-cleaning checklist is a good place to start.

High-touchpoint Disinfection

You’ve probably heard us talk about this before, but that’s only because of its importance. You need to disinfect frequently touched surfaces multiple times each day using approved chemicals from the Environmental Protection Agency’s List N. Each chemical on this list is proven to kill COVID-19. To learn how to properly disinfect, watch this quick video.

Confirmed case? Time to spray.

While proactive electrostatic spraying still has benefits, we always recommend using it after a confirmed COVID-19 exposure in your facility. Electrostatic sprayers have technology that ensures disinfectant “sticks” to every surface and kills germs. Because it is sprayed as a mist, it’s easy to blanket all hard surfaces.

To learn more about the benefits of electrostatic spraying and how it works, read Do I Need an Electrostatic Sprayer for Disinfection?

November 23, 2021 BY Tenzin Kunga

IN Coronavirus, COVID-19, Disinfection, Health Care

Infection Control: Is your cleaning company qualified?

When it comes to infection control in your hospitals, clinics and labs, there isn’t room for error. That we can agree on. But what should you look for to ensure the cleaning company you’ve hired is truly up to handling the stringent requirements you have?

To start, look for two things: Experience and TRUSTED certification.

Experience Handling Infection Control

Let’s face it, nothing beats decades of experience. Understanding the ins and outs of a healthcare facility’s nuanced needs is complex, especially when it comes to infection control.

We like to think of our healthcare teams as our special forces of cleaning. Not only does the team undergo extensive training, but they’re led by in-the-field veterans, including our director and manager who together have over 40 years of experience working in complex and large healthcare systems.

With that experience comes dialed-in processes, meaning you don’t have to wait for your cleaning crew to get up to speed. They know what they need to do when they walk through the door.

For instance, consider terminal cleaning procedures required in operating rooms. Along with what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other organizations require, our Kleeners have a 25-point cleaning process that guides them through EACH terminal cleaning. But we don’t only rely on process when it comes to operating rooms, we verify our work with ATP testing.

Whenever considering a new cleaning partner, or when auditing your existing partner, dig deep into their processes and in-the-field experience. Always require they “show” their work.

Achieving GBAC Standards

A lot of organizations claim they’re trained to handle infection control needs. We saw it all too frequently during the pandemic, and I doubt the claims will cease overnight.

For that reason, look for credible third-party validation. The most trusted certification comes from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), which is a division of ISSA. GBAC accreditation and training ensures your cleaners meet stringent, evidence-based standards for cleaning, infection control and disinfection. Subsequently, it elevates the reputation of your facility.

It’s important, too, that more than the organization’s leadership team is trained. At KleenMark, which has specialized in healthcare cleaning for years, we have more than 100 operators trained as GBAC technicians, ranging from supervisors to frontline cleaners.

As GBAC-trained technicians, they study cleaning theory, infectious disease prevention and control techniques, and medical grade disinfection. That means they’ll always have the most up-to-date information available to keep facilities clean and safe.

I share all this because it’s important to know what to look for no matter who you partner with. If you want to learn more about our experience and certifications, don’t hesitate to send us a note any time.

May 13, 2021 BY KleenMark

IN Contract Cleaning, Coronavirus, Disinfection, Facility Management, Office Cleaning, Services

Back to the Office: Target High-traffic Areas

Employees, clients and visitors are headed back to the office. We’re seeing it nationally and with the trend comes the need to ensure your buildings meet a new level of expectations. One great place to start is shoring up your cleaning program for high-traffic areas.

Focusing on where people interact the most is important. Folks want to know that the crowded, most visited parts of the building are frequently cleaned and given extra attention. It prevents the spread of germs and reduces worry.

Here’s where we recommend you start:

Entryways

Make sure door handles are cleaned and disinfected throughout the day. You don’t have to overdo it, but people are used to seeing this level of cleanliness. Put their needs first.

Also, give mats and hard floors a little extra love. If you vacuum the rest of the building less frequently, get to these at least once a day – outside of your normal cleaning schedule.

A day porter will police the entryways and also handle other things, such as emptying garbage, that give people confidence your building is clean.

Main Corridors

Hallways are high-traffic, and they need daily cleaning. If your carpets look dirty, consider extraction before bringing employees back. Then, a daily vacuum will keep things looking good.

For hard floors, a deep cleaning with polish is a good place to start. An auto scrubber can handle the daily work.

Break Rooms + Waiting Rooms

Your cleaning team should prioritize any area where people have to be around other people for an extended amount of time. Wipe down counters throughout the day and police for garbage and spills. Do those things cause COVID-19? Nope. But if things look dirty, people will assume you aren’t taking their health and safety seriously.

Restrooms

We’ve touched on this before, and you can read more in Restroom Rescue: What a Deep Clean Looks Like. But, remember to spot clean your restrooms throughout the day and ensure each has soap and paper towels. People are going to go through more items than in the past.

Need more help with adjusting your cleaning program? Send us an email.

January 9, 2021 BY KleenMark

IN Contract Cleaning, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Facility Management, Office Cleaning

Back to the Office: Reassure Employees Your Facility is Clean

Perception is a powerful tool. And it’s critical you reassure employees your facility is clean, if you want to keep their confidence.

Even if your contract cleaning service and in-house janitorial teams adhere to medical-grade cleaning and disinfecting standards, people are skeptical. In essence, they need to believe it to see it (pardon the cliché).

You can take an array of steps to improve perception. Below, are three of our team’s go-to strategies to help clients show, rather than tell employees, that the building is clean and disinfected.

Clean During the Day

Heavy cleaning will continue to be done at night, or when few employees are present. Assure staff you’re taking extra steps to keep them safe by increasing the presence of day cleaners (often referred to as day porters).

To learn more about what day porters do, check out “Facility Day Cleaning: The Essential Checklist.” Remember, it’s important they’re wearing uniforms and have a clear objective (i.e., disinfecting frequently touched surfaces) so employees take notice.

Ramp Up Restroom Cleaning

A common adage in the janitorial world is that “how the restroom goes, so goes the rest of the building.” Essentially, if your restrooms are spotless and well-stocked, it provides employees with the confidence that the rest of the building is also clean. (assuming you aren’t missing anything egregious).

This doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your approach. Instead, increase daytime restroom policing. Ensure towels and soaps remain stocked, and that any soiled urinals or toilets are quickly cleaned. Check for dropped toilet paper and spot mop to improve perception. Visit kleenmarkdistribution.com to find products and supplies.

Check out “How to Fix Nagging Restroom Odors” if smells are the issue.

Highlight Your Team/Partners

For years, janitorial crews have kept buildings functioning and clean. But only recently have they received the respect and support they deserve.

Tell stories, recognizing internal team members or crews from your contract cleaning company, rather than sending emails about your process (sometimes necessary but likely glanced over in many instances).

Don’t over complicate the praise. It is as simple as showcasing a team member in an employee newsletter or as in-depth as a short video, showcasing the day in the life of a cleaner. When people can see – and feel – what your team is doing, they’ll be more confident the workplace is clean and safe.

Reach out to your internal communications department for help, if this is outside your wheelhouse. They’re often eager to lend a hand.

About the Back to the Office series: Our experts have helped dozens of Wisconsin businesses stay open safely with cohesive cleaning and disinfecting programs. We’re sharing practical information you can implement as you start to bring workers back to the office.

January 9, 2021 BY KleenMark

IN Contract Cleaning, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Facility Management, Office Cleaning

Back to the Office: Empower Employees to Help Fight Germs

The executive memo just hit your inbox: Your organization will bring workers back in 30 days. As head of facilities you need to prepare. Your team and contract cleaning partner are ready – but how can you empower employees to help fight germs?

That’s a worthwhile question you should answer sooner than later. The reason: Cleaners can’t be everywhere at all times. Yes, they’re prepared, trained and efficient. But with more people in the facility, germs will spread faster and farther.

One easy place to start is with the three S’s – Signage. Supplies. Sanitizer.

Signage Beyond Social Distancing

We’ve all stood on a million floor stickers reminding us to stay six feet away from others. But with more employees in the building, you need to habituate and constantly remind them to take additional steps.

Place signage throughout breakrooms, restrooms and other common spaces reminding people to wash their hands (try a sticker on a restroom mirror), disinfect the microwave handle after use (a small window cling will do the trick), and to wipe down conference room tables after use.

It may sound simple but it works. Numerous behavioral science studies show the impact of signs and messages to “train” people to take the action you want them to. This approach likely will have a much quicker, deeper impact than dozens of emails that land in crowded inboxes.

Supplies to Fight COVID-19

It’s not only your team or contract cleaning service that needs access to cleaning and disinfecting supplies.

Make sure you place canisters of disinfectant wipes in common areas. Make it easy for employees to quickly wipe down a surface. If wipes aren’t your style, provide sprays and microfiber cloths for quick surface disinfection. If you use a spray, make sure employees understand how to safely apply them. Check out “3 Steps to Disinfection Perfection”, for a simple way to teach proper technique.

Stock up on other items such as hand soaps and paper towels. Everyone is washing more frequently and you’re going to see supplies go much faster than in previous years. Our day cleaners constantly police restrooms and have already seen a dramatic increase in usage, even in offices where fewer people are working daily.

For a full range of products, check out KleenMarkDistribution.com. Our distribution arm provides a full range of products and equipment from the best manufacturers. And, we only sell what our professional cleaners trust on the job – meaning you get products proven to work.

Sanitizer Remains Essential

We know, this one may be even more obvious. But employees will expect easy access to hand sanitizer no matter where they are in the building.

Make sure you increase the presence of hands-free dispensers and have adequate inventory on hand to keep them stocked. People are going to use these dispensers – a lot. And that’s OK. It reduces germs and improves your facility’s perception of cleanliness. If your budget allows, consider providing small bottles for individual work stations.

You can browse some of our team’s favorite dispensers and sanitizers, here.

About the Back to the Office series: Our experts have helped dozens of Wisconsin businesses stay open safely with cohesive cleaning and disinfecting programs. We’re sharing practical information you can implement as you start to bring workers back to the office.

December 21, 2020 BY Jeremy Angle

IN Contract Cleaning, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Facility Management, Office Cleaning, Services

Facility Day Cleaning: The Essential Checklist

Having a visible and active facility day-cleaning program goes a long way. Not only does it help reduce dangerous germs, the presence of a day cleaner reassures employees and visitors that you’ve upped your game – doing everything you can to keep them healthy.

Day cleaners, often referred to as day porters, serve a variety of roles but at the core their job is to maintain your facility when its open and at its busiest. From spills to disinfecting tables, they’re on the job until the night crew comes in to do the deep cleaning.

In the age of COVID-19, day porters have spent a lot of time disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and rightfully so. These areas are like major metropolitan centers for bacteria and viruses.

With that said, day porters do so much more. Our day porter teams are prepared to handle an array of needs and receive training customized to your facility.

The checklist below lays out what you should expect from a day porter, regardless if that person is on staff or part of your contracted service.

Facility Day Cleaning. The Checklist.

Consumables Police

Running out of toilet paper is bad. Running out of hand sanitizer is frightening. What they police:

Paper towels
Soap
Toilet paper
Sanitizing stations

Break Rooms and Common Spaces

No one wants overflowing trash and messy counters.

Spot cleaning for messy counters, sinks, etc.
Trash removal after breakfast + lunch
Spot sweeping (crumbs are gross)
Touchpoint disinfection

Restroom Rescue

Things happen. Go with a pro.

Spot mopping
Trash checks
Counter cleanup – no one likes those puddles by the sink.
Quick cleans. Water stains on the mirror? Dirty toilet? No problem.

Special Services

If it involves cleaning, generally your day porter can help.

Meeting room setup – from getting rid of fingerprints to a quick vacuum, a day porter is on call for when the executives arrive unexpectedly.
Cardboard removal. Manufacturers produce a lot of recyclable material. Day porters know how to handle compacters and other machinery.

Daily Disinfection + Cleaning

It wouldn’t be a day if we didn’t kill some germs.

Disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as handles, sinks and tables.
Monitor entryways for dirty mats and slick floors.
On call to handle any unexpected spills or messes.

If you’re curious to learn more about day porters, check out another recent blog post: Office Cleaning Basics: What’s a Day Porter and Do I Need One?

About the Author

Jeremy Angle leads our team in Southeast Wisconsin. As general manager of our Milwaukee branch, he works with some of our largest clients to ensure they have the right cleaning program in place.

November 17, 2020 BY Jeremy Angle

IN Contract Cleaning, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Equipment, Facility Management, Office Cleaning

Six Ways to Incorporate Green-cleaning Practices During a Pandemic

It’s not always easy being green, especially when we’re in the midst of a pandemic. But when it comes to your facility’s cleaning program, you can still take small, strategic steps to incorporate green-cleaning practices.

Since 2011, we’ve held ISSA’s “Cleaning Industry Management Standard – Green Building” certification (excuse the humble brag). We only mention it because we have the training and the chops to help you achieve your environmental goals.

Choosing to adopt green cleaning practices will not only help the environment by reducing the release of harmful chemicals into our waterways; it benefits your staff, cleaning team and potentially your bottom line.

We know that’s tricky right now, because you need to use powerful disinfectants to kill COVID-19. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Below are six easy ways to layer in some green cleaning.

6 Green-cleaning Hacks

Amp up your recycling program. Make sure recycling bins are placed throughout the office, if not at every workstation. Establish a plan for collecting and recycling used toner cartridges and batteries.

Opt for green cleaners. More than likely, there’s a “green” variety of each cleaner you’re currently using. Try to choose eco-friendly window cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, stainless steel polishes, degreaser for floors, etc. It’s perfectly safe to continue to use these in the age of COVID-19, as long as you also use a disinfectant from the EPA’s List-N group. Using these green cleaners will help reduce employee and cleaning staff exposure to cleaning chemical irritants such as chlorine and ammonia, which can be harmful to the skin and lungs

Use cold water. Hot water isn’t always necessary when cleaning. Using cold water can be just as effective and help reduce energy usage and costs.

Use high-efficient batteries. They’ll hold a charge longer. Opt for cordless options when you can. For instance, Proteam’s GoFree vacuums are a great example.

Watch your VOCs. Keep an eye out for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Lower VOC means less emission of harmful toxins into the air. That’s good for everyone.

Source green. If you outsource your cleaning, make sure the company you choose is green certified and follows best practices that can improve your own facility’s environmental impact.

You can learn more about our green-cleaning practices, here.

About the Author

Jeremy Angle leads our team in Southeast Wisconsin. As general manager of our Milwaukee branch, he works with some of our largest clients to ensure they have the right cleaning program in place.

November 17, 2020 BY KleenMark

IN Contract Cleaning, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Equipment, Facility Management, Office Cleaning

The Big Decision: Paper Towels or Hand Dryers?

It’s time to settle the great hand-drying debate once and for all: should your facility use paper towels or hand dryers?

Why? Because in the age of COVID-19 it’s not really a debate any longer. We’ve known for some time that air dryers aren’t as good at containing the spread of airborne germs. While always a concern, it’s a top priority today for facility managers and cleaning teams.

Let’s break down a few critical areas you always want to consider.

Hygiene

A University of Westminster study examined the spread of viral germs across three common hand-drying methods: paper towels, a hot air dryer and a jet air dryer. The study found that jet and warm air dryers spread significantly more viral germs than paper towels. And, germs can remain in the air around air dryers for up to 15 minutes. Whoa – thinking about that pre-COVID is pretty interesting. Thinking about it during a pandemic is anxiety inducing.

Ultimately, paper towels were found to spread the lowest amount of germs from users’ hands into the rest of the bathroom. Researchers found that wiping your hands on a paper towel effectively removes some germs that may linger after hand-washing. Also, paper towels promote more hygienic practices when used for turning off faucets and opening restroom doors.

Sustainability

Believe it or not, paper towels can be an affordable and eco-friendly option. From a cost perspective, many paper towel options are derived from recycled material, whereas more electricity is pulled to run an air dryer. Certain models sense motion and dispense appropriate towel lengths to reduce waste and save money.

Air dryers use energy, and certain paper towel products will impact landfill waste. Do your research and purchase dissolvable, biodegradable paper towels to lessen your impact on the environment.

Short-term Cost

It’s no secret air dryers are the less expensive option. Facility costs may decrease with air dryers in restrooms, but employees and visitors are more likely to leave with wet or damp hands. Even though paper towel dispensers can pose challenges when it comes to waste and overuse, it’s a more effective method for drying hands faster and completely.

The Verdict

In the end, air dryers are less expensive in the short term, but touchless paper towel dispensers are the clear winner when it comes to hygiene and germ control. Each method’s sustainability depends on choices you make about product sourcing and usage.

Lastly, providing your employees and customers with paper towels promotes a cleaner restroom environment. It can contribute to slowing the spread of germs such as COVID-19. That helps promote public health. And, it gives your employees and visitors the confidence that you’re putting their health at the top of your priority list.

October 11, 2020 BY Mike Staver

IN Contract Cleaning, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Facility Management, Office Cleaning, Services

Soft-surface disinfection: Tips for tackling upholstery, drapes and more

Walk into almost any store, office or clinic and you’ll see someone wiping down door handles and spraying tables with disinfectant. What you may not see is another important side of cleaning: Soft-surface disinfection.

While it’s relatively easy to disinfect hard surfaces if you have the right chemicals and training, soft surfaces such as upholstery, drapes and furniture aren’t as straightforward. The reason may be obvious: Soft surfaces absorb chemicals, which can leave them wet and potentially damaged.

Luckily, we have proven methods for disinfecting soft surfaces. While you won’t perform this task nearly as often, it’s an important part of your cleaning program. For that reason, we’ve laid out what chemicals and tools we recommend.

Preferred soft-surface disinfectants

Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of chemicals designed for soft surfaces that are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to kill COVID-19.

We prefer Triple S’s SSS Triple Carpet Cleaner/Deodorizer & Hard Non-Porous Surface Disinfectant. While originally designed as a carpet cleaner, it works wonderfully on other soft surfaces without leaving a residue.

Along with being one of only a few antimicrobial products to kill COVID-19 in carpets and soft surfaces, Triple S’s product also works as a cleaner and deodorizer. Any time we can tackle three jobs with one chemical, we’re fans.

Tools for the job

Given that the best chemical for the job was originally designed for cleaning commercial carpets, it’s meant to be extracted.

Use a portable spot remover and cleaner when disinfecting soft surfaces with Triple S’s cleaner. These machines have a wand that allows you to spray the disinfectant and then extract it using suction.

This process is generally most effective when disinfecting things like chairs, couches in your lobby or other pieces of furniture. A portable extraction unit requires you to take drapes and curtains down to disinfect them.

For drapes and curtains, we’re also using the Blue Evolution steamer that uses UV to disinfect. We’ve had good results so far, and likely will continue to use them in facilities such as clinics, where frequent soft-surface disinfection is needed.

How often do you disinfect soft surfaces?

This admittedly is the most difficult thing to pin down. We generally like to assess the industry, infection-control needs and foot traffic for a facility before making a recommendation.

With that said, we generally recommend cleaning and disinfecting soft surfaces before reopening a building, given that your employees are going to have heightened expectations for what they consider clean.

After reopening, we find many industries will do a deep cleaning of soft surfaces annually. In health care, it’s common to do it quarterly – if not more often.

If you’re unsure what you need for soft-surface disinfection give us a call. We’re always happy to talk through your facility’s specific needs to help you develop a program that works.

About the author

Mike Staver is director of operations at KleenMark, where he oversees a team of more than 800 technicians who clean more than 25 million square feet each day.

August 6, 2020 BY KleenMark

IN Coronavirus, COVID-19, Education, Facility Management, Services

School cleaning: How to disinfect after a confirmed COVID-19 case

Your school cleaning and disinfecting program is likely more robust than ever, but even with the most carefully updated procedures in place, there’s still a chance your school will experience one or more confirmed cases of COVID-19. You need to have a plan for disinfecting.

According to the CDC, the virus passes primarily via airborne droplets and can survive for prolonged periods of time on various surfaces. So, what’s the best way to clean? What disinfectants should be used? And how clean is clean enough? It’s a good idea to prepare ahead of time with a plan that addresses this type of situation. Follow CDC guidelines to help develop a plan for advising staff and families of home isolation criteria, isolating and transporting those who are sick, and notifying health officials and close contacts.

Initial steps

After those administrative steps have been taken, the next step is disinfection. Before cleaning, it’s crucial to make sure you do the following:

Immediately close off areas used by the sick individual.
Temporarily turn off in-room HVAC to avoid contamination of the HVAC units, but do not deactivate central HVAC systems. These systems tend to provide better filtration and can help circulate outdoor air into the affected areas.
Open outside doors and windows to increase circulation in the area.

After the initial 24-hour period has passed, safely begin the cleaning and disinfection process. Start by vacuuming the space if needed, using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum. If surfaces are dirty, clean surfaces using a detergent or soap and water before disinfection.

Clean before you disinfect

Focus on bathrooms, common areas and classrooms where the person with COVID-19 was for extended periods of time.
Concentrate on high-touch surfaces, including desks, tables, chairs, doorknobs, handles, toilets and sinks.

Disinfect hard surfaces

After cleaning, disinfect with an appropriate Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectant on List N. There is a wide selection to choose from, but KleenMark experts have established several disinfectants as their go-to weapons against COVID-19. All are EPA approved and have proven track records. This includes:

Virex II 256
Oxivir wipes
Alpha-HP

When disinfecting a facility that has a confirmed COVID-19 case, it’s highly recommended to use an electrostatic sprayer.

Electrostatic sprayers ensure all surfaces are evenly coated in disinfectant. Because they create an electrostatic mist, the disinfectants are able to “cling” to surfaces and work their way into crevices and other hard-to-reach areas. For more information, read: Do I need an electrostatic sprayer for disinfection?

“Our COVID-19 response teams are specially trained to clean and disinfect a facility following a confirmed case,” said Mike Staver, KleenMark’s director of operations. “We always use electrostatic sprayers to ensure total disinfection of a space.”

That said, make sure not to overlook manual cleaning and disinfection in the process. KleenMark technicians recommend going one step further by combining electrostatic sprays with manual wiping of school supplies such as electronics.

Anyone disinfecting a space following a confirmed COVID-19 case should wear a Tyvek chemical suit, respirator, gloves and eye protection, Staver said.

Additional soft-surface disinfection

Disinfection is generally trickier for soft (porous) surfaces than hard surfaces. Start by cleaning the surface with detergents or cleaners appropriate for use on porous materials, or follow the textile’s label. KleenMark’s technicians recommend using an anti-microbial soft surface cleaner for carpets and upholstery. If you want to go a bit deeper on how to clean these types of surfaces, check out: Tips for tackling soft-surface disinfection.

Disinfecting soft (porous) materials:

Remove visible contamination if present.
Disinfect with a product approved for disinfection for use on soft and porous materials. A limited number can be found on List N.
Launder items following the manufacturer’s instructions, using the warmest water setting possible.
Dry items completely.

Once an area has been appropriately disinfected, it can be opened for use, according to the CDC.

What about bio protection?

You may have heard about “bio protection” solutions positioned as “shield” that protects surfaces for up to 90 days against germs.

The truth is, these solutions aren’t proven to protect against COVID-19. It’s critical to use disinfectants proven to kill the virus, and approved by the EPA, rather than occasionally applying bio protection. For more information on this topic, check out the reasons why long-term bioprotectants are not a viable solution.

Still have questions? Email or call us any time. We’re always happy to provide advice and guidance.

Category: Coronavirus