Today, each person has the responsibility to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. The transmission of this virus mainly happens through droplets and aerosols.
For example, a sick person might cough or sneeze on a surface, such as a table, equipment, utensils, fabric, dust, hair, or anything that can hold the droplets of saliva for hours or days. If a healthy person touches this surface and then touches their face, it can lead to infection.
Cleaning and disinfecting frequent touch-points help slow down the rate of transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Hiring office janitorial services would help you to reduce infection rates further. The virus causing COVID-19 is vulnerable to alcohol, bleach, and soap. It has a lipid outer layer that acts as filmy protection, which is why it is ineffective to use just a dishrag soaked in water.
Use lipid solvents like 75 percent ether, ethanol, disinfectants with chlorine, peroxyacetic acid, and chloroform aside from chlorhexidine. You can check the Canadian government’s list of hard-surface disinfectants and sanitizers that can be used against the virus.
The virus may also become inactive when time passes after contamination. According to current studies, low-density viral particles become inactive on material like cardboard. On plastic and metal surfaces, the virus can persist for a few days before it becomes inactivated. These are not hard rules; other factors like the ambient temperature and humidity may come into play as well.
Furthermore, large areas and ones with a high population density would have varying rates of inactivation. In these places, chemical disinfection is the best way to prevent disease transmission. On high-contact surfaces in these places, it is important to clean and disinfect by leaving the solvent on surfaces before rinsing. Immediately wiping off the solution makes it less effective.
Commercial cleaning services would recommend that you establish office cleaning routines to fight the spread of COVID-19. Soft and porous surfaces like sofas, carpets, rugs, and chairs have different cleaning protocols from hard, non-porous ones like tables and chairs, doorknobs, handles, keyboards, remote controls, sinks and countertops and others. Keeping one’s workstation neat and disinfected is the first step toward preventing the spread of COVID-19.
In general, you need the same supplies for cleaning—soap or detergent, warm water, and cleaning and disinfecting solvents. You should also have waterproof gloves like ones made from latex or nitrile. Dishwashing gloves may also be used, though you have to buy a separate pair for disinfection. You will also need clean towels, leak-proof plastic trash bags, goggles, and a face mask.
Discard rather than clean or disinfect surfaces that have been highly contaminated. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling and emptying trash bins, especially infectious waste. Follow the protocol for proper handwashing—use soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol. Throw away disposable cleaning items as well.
For items that can be laundered, place them in a sealed container or plastic bag until the time you can put them in the washing machine. Use hot water when laundering; if possible, choose a detergent with colour-safe bleach to disinfect the item. Then, dry these on high heat.
Some soft items cannot be laundered, like carpets, pillows, and couches. For these, you have to spot-clean spills of bodily fluids and use steam cleaners for the rest of the surface. You can also deep clean these items, taking care not to splash the water. Finally, vacuum the area to prevent dust and water particles from staying in the air.
For hard surfaces, start with visible debris and stains. Clean these with soap and water, rinse, and wipe with a clean towel. Then, you can start disinfecting. Make sure the surface stays wet with the solution for at least ten minutes.
Note that alcohol-based disinfectants tend to evaporate quickly, so be sure to follow the instructions on the container. If you don’t have any of the disinfectants listed by the health ministry, a two percent chlorine bleach solution is a good alternative. Allow the surface to air dry, which is especially important for food preparation areas.
Removing dust, dirt, and impurities from surfaces is an essential part of housekeeping. When you clean your office, you prevent the spread of viruses and germs. It reduces the likelihood of the spread of infections like coronavirus disease. Your office needs to supplement its cleaning routines with services from professionals. We offer affordable office cleaning in Medicine Hat, including electrostatic disinfection services, carpet cleaning, office, commercial, and industrial cleaning, and more. Request a quote today!
403-529-1760
info@cleanriteservices.ca