CLEANING AND DISINFECTING TECHNIQUES

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 and flu are both extremely contagious and are caused by two different viruses. The good news?  You can eliminate both sets of germs with some of the same cleaning and disinfecting techniques-  if done correctly!
​FROM Stratus Building Solutions

7 Steps to Sanitization
‘Fight the Twindemic’ Battle Plan

1. Learn the difference between Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting. The CDC provides an easy definition.

• Cleaning removes germs and dirt from surfaces. Cleaning can be done with simple soap and water.
• Sanitizing reduces the bacteria identified on the cleaning product’s label on surfaces and in laundry. (Or cloth desk chairs)
• Disinfecting destroys both bacteria and viruses identified on the product’s label on hard, nonporous surfaces.
• Disinfecting is the most important step and is the only step that kills germs!

1. Pre-clean the surface

• The best way to guard against the Flu and coronavirus is to clean the surface first. Do this with soap and water and make sure it’s visibly dry before using a disinfectant chemical.

1. Know what products to use

• The flu and coronavirus can both be killed using similar products. As a general note, any household cleaner containing bleach or at least 70 perfect alcohol will work.
• Use the  EPA’s list N to see if a product works against coronavirus. These products will also kill the flu virus.

1. Use different cloths for disinfecting different services.

• Microfiber cloths work best for disinfecting.
• Unlike standard cotton towels, microfiber towels can pick up bacteria and germs without the use of chemicals.
• Be sure to use separate cloths for the bathroom, kitchen area and desks.
• Stratus Building Solutions uses a color-coded system which helps to avoid mix-ups.

1. Wipe in one direction!

• Wipe in one direction when cleaning and sanitizing.
• Wiping in circles can cause dirt and germs to be recycled to areas that were just cleaned.
• Practicing wiping in one direction will allow dirt and germs to be removed and not replaced.

1. Make high touch surfaces a priority.

• This cannot be overstated. There are some surfaces that are touched hundreds of times a day and can be a breeding ground for the flu and coronavirus.
• Stratus Build Solutions uses an electrostatic sprayer which disinfects evenly and doesn’t always require a wipe down.
• Doorknobs, water fountain buttons, faucets, computer keyboards, phones, countertops, and breakroom tables should all be cleansed and disinfected every single day.

1. Don’t forget about the air. Research from the CDC shows that, like coronavirus, the flu virus can travel through the air.

• A do-it-yourself method for cleaning the air includes providing ventilation, such as opening doors and/or windows, and using a portable air purifier.
• Look for a model with a HEPA filter which must remove 99.97% of the tiniest of particles, including the flu virus, from the air.