The COVID-19 pandemic is growing with each passing day and, to make matters worse, it won’t be going away anytime soon. As a result, having excellent personal hygiene and regularly disinfecting your workplace and home is more important than ever.
In the first part of our coronavirus prevention guide, we explained how effective commercial cleaning in Pico Rivera can reduce the possibility of you or your coworkers contracting COVID-19.
Now we’ll expand on that guide by explaining how different types of cleaning affect viruses (and other germs), and how you can avoid mistakes that make your office cleaning less effective. Keep reading to learn more.
What’s the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting?
Did you know that the terms cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing mean different things when it comes to dealing with harmful microbes? Most people are only vaguely aware of this, and many of them simply use these three terms interchangeably.
This can easily result in you thinking you’ve successfully killed the germs even when that’s not the case. Unfortunately, with coronavirus hanging over our heads, Americans can no longer afford to remain uninformed about these matters.
Here are the crucial differences:
- Cleaning removes germs, impurities, and dirt from objects and water. It’s typically done using all-purpose detergent (or water and soap) to scrub the germs off of a surface. While it may not kill the germs, it definitely reduces the risk of infection by decreasing their number.
- Disinfecting destroys germs on objects or surfaces by using specialized chemicals. Because this process doesn’t remove dirt or germs from a surface, it should only be used after the surface has already been cleaned regularly.
- Sanitizing reduces the number of germs on objects or surfaces to a safer level. An object or surface that’s been either cleaned or disinfected (but not both) is considered to have been sanitized.
How do I clean and disinfect correctly?
Being a good cleaner is all about knowing how to make the most of the available supplies. Resist the urge to “eyeball it” if you haven’t used a particular cleaning product before. Not reading the instructions on the label can result in ineffectual cleaning, skin irritation, and damaged belongings.
Do the following:
- Step #1: Put on disposable gloves, and refrain from touching your face (the virus can get in through your eyes),
- Step #2: Remove germs by washing a surface or object with a general household cleaner, or soap and water,
- Step #3: Grab an EPA-verified household disinfectant and follow the directions on the product label. Let the surface dry before using it again.
A chlorine bleach solution can serve as a substitute if a reliable disinfectant is unavailable. Mix a tablespoon of bleach with a quart of water, and use a cloth to apply the solution to a surface. After 3-5 minutes, rinse the surface using clean water.
How do I handle waste in the office?
There are no special procedures for handling waste in the workplace during the coronavirus pandemic. Just remember to throw away disposable cleaning items immediately after use and not touch used tissues and other trash when emptying waste baskets.
Where can I schedule a first-rate commercial cleaning in Pico Rivera?
The coronavirus is infecting more people with each passing day. As much as we don’t want to admit it, it may be months before we can once again move around freely and enjoy relaxing afternoons at the Pico Rivera Municipal Golf Course.
Fortunately, you’re not alone. Oasis Natural Cleaning works with the leading experts in the cleaning industry who can ensure your premises are pristine and germ-free at all times. Book your cleaning today and take full advantage of our hospital-level disinfectants and sanitation techniques.