Disinfection has been a top priority for commercial cleaning services since the COVID pandemic. But five years on, disinfection is still a concern. But there is more to it than just the risk of COVID-like infections. In fact, disinfection was part of commercial cleaning before the pandemic. It’s just that we are more aware of it now.
So what’s the deal? Why is disinfection so important? It boils down to harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi that, if not eliminated, can make people sick. Disinfection is all about minimizing our exposure to promote a healthier and safer work environment.
The #1 Purpose of Disinfecting
There is an obvious difference between surface clean, sanitized, and disinfected. Surface cleaning and sanitizing might inadvertently kill bacteria and viruses, but there is no guarantee. The only guarantee from both practices is creating a surface that looks clean to the naked eye. Therein lies the difference with disinfection.
The number one purpose of disinfecting is to minimize the risk of infection and disease transmission in the workplace by eliminating the germs that make people sick. An added benefit is this: if you do it right, you also end up with a surface that is both clean to the naked eye and sanitized.
Other Reasons for Disinfecting
Although minimizing the risk of infection and disease transmission is the main purpose behind disinfecting, there are other reasons commercial cleaning services make it a top priority. Here are just three:
1. Maintaining Business Continuity
Business continuity, which is the ability to maintain continuous and stable day-to-day operations, relies on every staff member coming to work. When people are out sick, business continuity suffers. But by insisting that their commercial cleaning services disinfect, companies can maintain continuity over longer periods of time.
2. Better Reputation Management
A visibly clean and disinfected workplace reassures employees that their health and safety isn’t at risk because of unseen germs. This creates confidence in the workplace. In addition, the previously mentioned business continuity impresses customers and clients. The organization enjoys a better reputation as one that can be trusted to get the job done.
3. Regulatory Compliance
There are some industries in which disinfection is a matter of regulatory compliance. Three sectors immediately come to mind: food service, healthcare, and education. Organizations in these three industries cannot afford to allow sickness and disease to spread. Regular disinfection is non-negotiable for them.
Different Ways to Disinfect
Commercial cleaning services rely on EPA-registered disinfectants known to target the widest range of pathogens on a variety of surfaces. But disinfecting a workplace doesn’t necessarily mean spraying surfaces and wiping them down with a cloth. There are different ways to disinfect, depending on work environment. Here are a few examples:
- Manual Cleaning – Spraying and physically wiping down surfaces is considered manual cleaning and disinfection.
- Electrostatic Spraying – An electrically charged disinfectant is sprayed on surfaces where it creates a coat.
- Fogging and Misting – Disinfectants in aerosol form are dispersed across wide areas.
- Steam Cleaning – Surfaces are disinfected with high-temperature steam.
- Germicidal Wipes – Wipes pre-saturated with a germicide are used to clean surfaces.
- UVC Light and Ozone – Air and some exposed surfaces can be disinfected with ultraviolet light and ozone.
Here at All Pro Cleaning Systems, disinfecting is a high priority. If you would like to know more about how we clean and disinfect a variety of surfaces, don’t hesitate to ask. We are a leading provider of commercial cleaning services in a variety of industries. We are more than able to clean and disinfect your workplace according to the highest industry standards.
