Cleaning For The Coronavirus

Cleaning for the Coronavirus

The CDC recommends cleaning for the coronavirus pandemic.  What exactly is deep cleaning and why is it important for helping to reduce the spread of this virus?

Although the CDC has stated that deep cleaning should be completed during this pandemic, many people, and many cleaning companies, do not understand this term.  Deep cleaning is a process of removing dirt and debris from all surfaces, including molding, walls, windows, counters, door knobs, light switches, etc.  If you wet a white paper towel and run it on these surfaces (even if they look clean), there is a good chance that you will find dirt or soil.  Deep cleaning services are designed to remove this buildup.  But what is the harm in this dirt?

The EPA tests all disinfectants in a lab to ensure that the claims the manufacturer make for eliminating viruses and bacteria can be replicated in a controlled environment.  But these disinfectants are only tested on pre-cleaned surfaces.  So in order to replicate the results of these tests, the surfaces must be clean.  Viruses and bacteria tend to thrive in dirty and damp environments, so applying an EPA registered disinfectant to a surface that isn’t clean may not produce the intended sanitize results.  The disinfectants may kill some of the viruses and bacteria, but not all, such as the coronavirus.

Office cleaning for the coronavirus and house cleaning for the coronavirus are very similar.  Each reachable surface should be cleaned, and, when possible, furniture should be pulled out and cleaned on all sides.  When deep cleaning for the coronavirus is complete, the sanitizing and disinfecting process can begin.

Sanitizing is a process of applying a cleaner or disinfectant to a surface with the intent to reduce pathogens on the surface.  Disinfecting is a process of applying a disinfectant to a surface with the intent of eliminating most pathogens.  Sanitizing and disinfecting are similar, but the major difference is the length of time a disinfectant remains wet on a surface.

To properly test whether a surface has been thoroughly cleaned enough to apply an EPA-registered disinfectant, you can use an ATP meter.  Take a sterile ATP swab and rub it against an area that has been cleaned.  Return the swab to the plastic guard.  Once sealed, break the plastic tip on the plastic guard, releasing the liquid into the base of the guard.  Calibrate the ATP meter, then place the swab, encased by the plastic guard, for the appropriate time, generally 10 – 15 seconds.  Generally 30 and below is considered safe for food preparation surfaces.  The lower the ATP reading, the cleaner the surface.

To find a company that provided deep cleaning for the coronavirus throughout the United States, visit ABRA at https://www.americanbiorecovery.org/.  To locate a company that specializes in deep cleaning for the coronavirus in South Carolina, visit Palmetto Commercial Services at https://www.palmettocommercialservices.com.

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