Sanitizing

Sanitizing can effectively prevent the spread of viruses and other microorganisms if it's done every day. You can use sanitizers to remove visually soiled areas and on high-contact areas, such as door handles or light switches.

Use warm water with soap or with mild sanitizing chemicals, which typically are safe to be around immediately, have a short dwell time, and can normally be used on a variety of surfaces without compromising the material's integrity.

Common sanitization products may include the disinfecting ingredients of phenol and phenolics. Although germs aren't killed, sanitized surfaces and objects can reduce many of the risk factors that cause people to get sick.

It is important to note that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not approved any sanitizer-only products for virus claims, which means they cannot be used to fight SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). There are, however, many products that combine sanitizers and disinfectants products that do meet the EPA's rigorous COVID-19 standards.

Disinfecting

Disinfectants completely eliminate germs by breaking down and separating their cell walls. To work with certainty, however, the surface or object must be properly prepared or cleaned prior to using the disinfectant.

Spraying disinfectant onto a surface laced with dirt doesn't remove the dirt. It also prevents the chemicals from fully reaching, attaching to, and killing the germs.

With disinfectants, it's also important to consider the ingredients in the product. Different combinations of chemicals get rid of different microorganisms. Also, dilution level needs to be accurately mixed to ensure effectiveness.

It's essential to read Safety Data Sheets to ensure disinfectants are being used safely and as intended. Handled improperly, disinfectants could cause your crews or clients to experience skin or lung irritation, asthma-related complications, or other serious side effects.

Surfaces or objects may also be jeopardized by too-frequent disinfection. These chemicals are designed to break down the cell walls of germs, but they are strong enough that they can also degrade the materials they're intended to disinfect. This is especially true if used incorrectly.

Finally, time is another important consideration with disinfectants. These are strong chemicals that typically require a longer dwell time than milder products. If the solution isn't in contact with the surface or object for the required amount of time, it may fail to kill all of the germs.

Plus, disinfectants should only be used in an area that is vacant for the entire well time. This is to prevent any chance of contamination due to occupant interference.

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