Cleaning and Disinfecting
What is the Difference between Cleaning and Disinfecting?
Cleaning is the act of removing visible impurities such as dirt and dust. It’s utilising cleaning products to achieve such visual cleanliness. Cleaning reduces the amount of matter that contributes to the spread of germs and bacteria and is the basic method of hygiene practice. It can be achieved using specific tools and cleaning agents such as vacuums, mops and cleaning materials such as desk and equipment wipes.
On the other hand, disinfection is killing a high percentage of unwanted pathogenic microorganisms. By disinfecting an area you’re destroying the majority of organisms living on a surface or object. This leaves the germs incapable of reproducing preventing them from multiplying and dispersing onto a greater number of surfaces. Disinfection is more applicable to commonly touched surface areas where the spread of a virus risk is high.
Cleaning significantly prevents bacteria from spreading and is often used on lower risk surfaces such as floors and windows however the chance of cross contamination is high. From mopping solutions to other cleaning tools, you could be spreading disease where you least expect. Maybe cleaning just isn’t enough and that’s where disinfection comes into play.
Cleaning comes first in order to prepare the surface removing loose soils, then you’re ready for the disinfection stage where organisms that are left from cleaning are killed.
When is Disinfection Required?
As germs and bacteria spread in the air and land on surfaces, illness and disease can be caused. When these areas come into contact with human touch, they spread to more and more people who also can potentially become unwell. Therefore, disinfection is required on most commonly touched surfaces, where risks are high, to stop the spread of infection.
Disinfecting requirements depend on how often or how many times people come into contact with particular surfaces however during a time of an outbreak more regular disinfection may be required. In a post-coronavirus world and as businesses start to return to the new normal, more regular disinfection is also advised. Taking extra precautions to maintain excellent hygiene standards in your facilities will keep your employees and guests safe and reassure them that you are doing everything in your power to control the spread of infection.
Whether your facilities have been closed or are still running, daily cleaning will be a good way to remove surface debris and germs so that your employees can return back to a safe environment. This should be planned in as part of cleaning schedule so that maximum hygiene efforts can be maintained throughout this difficult time and beyond, especially in high risk areas such as washrooms.
Which Areas Should Be Disinfected?
High traffic areas should be disinfected, this means areas that are commonly touched such as door handles, desks, computer keyboards, phones etc. In fact a recent study found more than 17,000 bacterial gen copies on the phones of high school students which is said to be 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats.
As different viruses can live on different surfaces for different amounts of times it’s important to disinfect a number of areas within your commercial facility, even things coming in off palleted deliveries; it’s best to prevent any further spread of bacteria that may be on parcel surfaces.
In addition to regular cleaning and disinfecting, effective handwashing should be encouraged and practiced regularly by all those who enter your premises. This will also help significantly prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and germs.
