Cleaning Fundamentals for a Safe Environment
Photo by Hedgehog Digital on Unsplash
Same rules, new world
What has changed in the process of cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting since COVID-19? Well, not much as the fundamentals of cleaning are not new. What’s new is how you show your customers what you are doing to boost consumer confidence.
Let’s walk through the basics to get you started on the right track.
What to use and when
There is a method to the madness when it comes to cleaning chemicals and a particular use case for each. Below are the top three kinds you are bound to use in one form or another on a day-to-day basis.
Soap and Detergent: The primary job is to remove dirt, oil, and grease from the surface you are cleaning. They do this by acting as an emulsifying agent, allowing the unwanted materials to stay suspended in water so that they can easily be washed away. Soap is also extremely effective in destroying the COVID-19 virus as it actively destroys the outer lipid membrane that holds the virus together, rendering it inert.
Sanitizers: These are used on food contact surfaces to reduce bacteria to safe levels for consumption. Food contact surfaces include plates, flatware, glasses, food preparation tables/equipment, dining tables, and any surface that is touched in the process of making food or consuming it. Food contact surfaces should be sanitized after each use and always follow the directions on the labels as different sanitizers require different contact times to be effective.
Disinfectants: Disinfectants are the best way to kill bacteria and viruses that are listed on the label when used as directed. Disinfectants are used on non-food contact surfaces such as door handles, bathroom fixtures, POS systems, remote controls, or phones. Read and follow directions on labels and repeat use every 2-4 hours.
Takeaways
In a nutshell, here are the points to remember:
Soaps and detergents are for cleaning up dirt, oil, and grease.
Sanitizers are used on food contact surfaces to bring the number of harmful bacteria down to safe levels.
Disinfectants are for “non-food” surfaces and are effective against bacteria and viruses.
Before using any products, confirm that they are EPA registered and follow instructions carefully as each product is different.
For more information about cleaning products contact your local InnoServ representative.
