There have been a number of articles lately on the subject of disinfecting. Because disinfecting is not only a cleanliness issue, but a public health issue, the importance of disinfecting has taken center stage.

Do it on High Touch Surfaces!

Disinfecting everything in sight is not going to protect more people from illness, rather focusing efforts on surfaces likely to be contacted by many (aka High Touch Surfaces) should be the rule.

Do it Right!

Allowing proper contact time is often overlooked by cleaners in a hurry. Wiping a surface to dryness is NOT correct. Leaving the surface visibly moist helps create the right level of contact time.

Do it Often Enough!

Disinfecting is not going to keep others from getting sick if it is not done often enough. Once a disinfected surface is touched, the process of microbial growth starts all over again.

Do it with the Right Products!

For general disinfecting, a disinfectant with an active ingredient often referred to as a “quat” or Quaternary Ammonium Chloride typically provides a high level of effectiveness. Most of these type of disinfectants are 1-step cleaners and disinfectants. That means these products have been tested for effectiveness in the presence of organic soil contaminants and diluted with hard water.

Watch the video that show the process of doing it right:

What about Bleach?

Used properly, bleach can be a good disinfectant. However, it is often used incorrectly. Bleach is a 2-step product that requires that surfaces be pre-cleaned first followed by application of the bleach solution. The reason is simple, bleach is rapidly inactivated by organic soil contaminants, hence the 2 step process. Bleach solutions are not very shelf stable either, and often become rapidly inactivated, especially when diluted with hard water.

Like those bleach fumes?

Some people talk about bleach being safe, but it is a powerful chemical and smelling bleach may not be the best idea, especially for small children.

Read Our Technial Bulletin Titled  “WHAT ABOUT BLEACH“

In the Sanitary Maintenance Magazine Jan/Feb 2013 issue, an excellent article by Kassandra Kania talks about 4 common disinfecting mistakes.