News

Personal area cleaning can supplement cleaning by Custodial Services for those who wish to do so. Some people do this regularly in areas that have High Touch areas (Counters, door handles grab areas, hand rails, public computers, meeting tables, etc) where there is high traffic flow, reception areas, some offices, etc. and some do more of this in Flu season. With Covid – 19 present we have had more requests for supplies and thought some tips may help too.

There are three levels of cleaning that we use here at CUE.

”Cleaning” is the removal of dirt where we use cleaning products. “Sanitizing”, where we reduce the number of bacteria on a surface by using sanitizers or disinfectants. “Disinfection” which is to destroy bacteria, fungi and viruses using disinfectants. The purpose is to stop transmission of diseases from one person to another.

How do we do it at work?

Cleaning – at work you usually use a cleaning or disinfectant wipe, make sure to read any product label before using it to make sure you know and use safety precautions, which surfaces it can be used on and the amount of contact (dwell) time needed to be effective.

Sanitizing  

1. Clean the surface first
2. Rinse with water
3. Sanitize the surface by using a disinfectant/ sanitizer wipe or spraying the surface and using a microfiber cloth or paper towel to agitate. It should be kept wet for the recommended dwell (contact) time.

 Disinfection

1. Clean the surface first
2. Rinse with water
3. Disinfect by using a disinfectant wipe, or spraying the surface with a disinfectant and using a microfiber cloth or paper towel to agitate the surface. It should be kept wet for the recommended dwell (contact) time. E.g. Saber wipes takes 5 minutes to disinfect. If the surface becomes dry before that time you can apply more to keep it wet. Other products, Oxivir TB wipes (1 minute), PCS100 wipes.

How do we do it at home?

It is the same process but the chemicals you are using may differ. One that most people have at home is bleach which is effective against Coronavirus when used properly. Although you still must clean the surface first (bleach is not an effective cleaner but is an effective disinfectant and bleaching agent). Please watch the following link which shows how to dilute bleach and shelf life, etc. Bleach should not be used on metals and computers or other tech, always check that the chemical you are using is safe to use on a particular surface. A 70% concentration of ethanol can be used on metal surfaces after cleaning.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/covid-19-disinfecting-with-bleach

Other products are effective against Coronavirus too, click the following link where the EPA advises if a product is effective, the contact time, whether it is ready to use or should be diluted, you can use the search box on the right side near the top to search for your product. https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2