Extra care is needed now to stop the spread of COVID-19. We need a proactive approach which we call “defensive cleaning.”
Hours before a multi-tenant office building in central Illinois was to open, early morning walkers could see Secure Clean custodial workers wearing masks, wiping surfaces clean using specially selected cleaning solutions, and misting all the same surfaces with an N-List disinfectant.
N-List disinfectants
have been proven by the Environmental Protection Agency to kill the pathogens that cause coronavirus. The “misting system” walkers saw being used was a new, state-of-the-art technology called an electrostatic sprayer. It sprays or mists surfaces with a disinfectant, killing most all pathogens on those surfaces.
have been proven by the Environmental Protection Agency to kill the pathogens that cause coronavirus. The “misting system” walkers saw being used was a new, state-of-the-art technology called an electrostatic sprayer. It sprays or mists surfaces with a disinfectant, killing most all pathogens on those surfaces.
Some of those walking by may have assumed these careful measures were being taken because there had been a recent outbreak of coronavirus in this facility. No.
Instead, according to Rick Vanderkoy, CEO of Secure Cleaning, extra care is being taken to prevent an outbreak of the disease. In other words, it is a proactive approach which Vanderkoy refers to as “defensive cleaning.” He suggests that all building managers have their cleaning contractors take similar, proactive steps.
So, what does defensive cleaning entail? Vanderkoy describes some of the key components:
Knowing where the high touch surfaces are located. Many cleaning crews, when they first begin cleaning a building, locate all the l electrical outlets in a facility so they know where to plug in their vacuum cleaners and other machines. This is a proactive approach that speeds up the cleaning process. Now his workers go through the facilities locating all the high touch surfaces.
“Every facility is different. In some buildings, elevator buttons are the most contaminated surfaces in the facility. In another, it could be the doors of a restroom, touched when people push the door open.”
Knowing where people congregate.
Even with social distancing, certain areas of a facility attract more people, meaning a higher level of occupancy results in those areas. Once again, exact locations can vary from one facility to another, “and because the custodial crew is typically in the building after everyone is gone for the day, they may not even know where these areas are. We always do an on-site walk-thru, looking for areas like this.”
Even with social distancing, certain areas of a facility attract more people, meaning a higher level of occupancy results in those areas. Once again, exact locations can vary from one facility to another, “and because the custodial crew is typically in the building after everyone is gone for the day, they may not even know where these areas are. We always do an on-site walk-thru, looking for areas like this.”
Knowing the demographics and habits of those who work in a building.
Often older workers tend to either have their own offices or work areas, while younger workers may not want a designated workspace, choosing instead, to work in any area of the facility available at the time. “When we clean a facility with lots of younger workers, especially if it is an open workspace, we have to assume all areas must be detail cleaned and disinfected just about every visit.”
Often older workers tend to either have their own offices or work areas, while younger workers may not want a designated workspace, choosing instead, to work in any area of the facility available at the time. “When we clean a facility with lots of younger workers, especially if it is an open workspace, we have to assume all areas must be detail cleaned and disinfected just about every visit.”
Knowing how many staffers use the building and how long they typically work.
Needless to say, the more people working in a facility and the longer hours they work, the more likely the building will need to be deep-cleaned and disinfected on an ongoing basis. In fact, in some locations, especially right now with the rising number of cases of the virus, deep cleaning could be needed on every cleaning visit.
Needless to say, the more people working in a facility and the longer hours they work, the more likely the building will need to be deep-cleaned and disinfected on an ongoing basis. In fact, in some locations, especially right now with the rising number of cases of the virus, deep cleaning could be needed on every cleaning visit.
Knowing which chemicals to use.
Not all surfaces must be disinfected on a regular basis, according to Vanderkoy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has even released new guidelines that indicate in most cases, all that is necessary is effective cleaning. “Knowing which areas need to be disinfected and which do not can help reduce cleaning time and cleaning costs. Plus, it helps reduce cleaning’s impact on the environment.”
Not all surfaces must be disinfected on a regular basis, according to Vanderkoy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has even released new guidelines that indicate in most cases, all that is necessary is effective cleaning. “Knowing which areas need to be disinfected and which do not can help reduce cleaning time and cleaning costs. Plus, it helps reduce cleaning’s impact on the environment.”
Knowing how often to meet with building administrators. “This is so important,” says Vanderkoy. “Many cleaning contractors determine how often they should meet with clients based on the size of the account. Big accounts pay more money, and therefore, get more visits. But with COVID, risk factors are the key consideration. If a facility has more risk factors in play, that is the one that needs our attention, no matter the size or how much they are paying us.”
We are here to help building managers keep their facilities cleaner, healthier, greener, and safer, in the most cost-effective ways possible. To learn more about Secure Clean, contact us at 888-609-1410.
