More than ever before, disinfectants have been at the forefront of everyone’s minds. They help keep people and facilities safe when used as directed. They can help prevent colds, flu, coronavirus, and other germs from spreading. However, if not properly applied, you might as well just dump your disinfectant products down the drain. Here are some tips to correctly use and apply disinfectants.
- Use Microfiber – Cleaning cloths and mops made of microfiber are considered to be more effective than the same products made with natural fibers. This is because they don’t quat bind as easily. Quats are positively charged ions and natural textiles are negatively charged. So that means that instead of being applied to the surface you are trying to disinfect, they are attracted and absorbed into the fabric.
- Clean Solution – The disinfectant in your bucket gets contaminated as you clean. If it’s not changed enough, you may actually just respreads the bacteria and germs over the floor or surface you are trying to clean.
- Hot Spots – Did you know that in certain conditions, bacteria can double in number in just 20 minutes? Hot spot surfaces, such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, light switches, and handrails, accumulate germs faster than surfaces that aren’t touched as often. This means that they also need to be cleaned more often.
- Get Rid of Dirt – It may sound like you are having to double clean, but disinfecting isn’t the same as cleaning, and disinfectants won’t work as well on a dirty surface. So, before you apply a disinfectant, remove any visible dirt and then apply your disinfectant.
- Be Specific – Before you decide on a disinfectant, read the label and make sure that it will work against the bacteria, germs, and viruses you are trying to target. The label will tell you how to use the disinfectant, as well as what microorganisms it will be effective on.
- Dwell Time – In order for a disinfectant to completely do its job, it will likely have to stay on the surface for a specific account of time. This is called “dwell time.” Refer to the label to find out the dwell time for your product, but understand that the disinfectant must stay on the surface for the full time in order to kill pathogens.
- Right Ratios – If you are using a disinfectant that comes in a concentrated form, be sure that you dilute it to the correct ratio. Adding more, or less, can equal disinfectant disaster.
- Don’t Mix – You’ve probably heard it before, but it is very important that you never mix chemicals or disinfectants with other cleaners, chemicals, and disinfectants. Not only can it change the properties and make it ineffective, but it could also result in a chemical reaction that can be deadly.
- Hard Water – Do you have hard water that will be mixing with your disinfectant? Check your disinfectant label and make sure that it will still be effective if diluted in hard water. If not, use a different disinfectant or consider one that is pre-formulated so you won’t have to dilute it.
Applying disinfectants to ensure they are the most effective can be tricky. If you aren’t sure how to apply your disinfectant correctly or simply don’t have the time to do it yourself, let us handle it for you. Contact us today to get a free, no-obligation estimate for our disinfecting treatments.
