Even before the pandemic, winter had a reputation for being the season that brings sickness. Between allergies and colds, it seems there are people sniffling no matter where you go. Though most can follow standard guidelines for disinfecting their facilities, hospitals and schools must take extra care in their environmental cleaning services to protect their vulnerable visitors.
When deciding the best way to clean and disinfect the surfaces of your hospital or school, there are a few things you need to know:
Environmental Cleaning Services: Disinfection Services Go Beyond Cleaning
When making sure your facility is safe for its young or ailing inhabitants, you need more than a clean environment. You need to make sure your cleaning service disinfects and sanitizes the environment as well. What is the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing?
Cleaning vs. Disinfecting Objects and Surfaces
Cleaning removes dirt, grime, and other problematic residues, stains, or debris from the environment. A good cleaning can be achieved with some nice, hot water and a bottle of soap. Disinfecting goes one step further, using chemicals or a strong alternative to remove germs. This is done by treating the surface or object with the disinfecting product and leaving it there to effectively kill the germs.
A clean environment is not always germ-free, and a germ-free environment is not always clean. Sanitizing is one step down from both: sanitizing something is simply the process of cleaning and/or disinfecting a surface or object to make it safe for use. You can sanitize a dish by scrubbing it then running it under very hot water. A teacher can sanitize a desk by wiping it down with an antibacterial wipe.
Know What Type of “Clean” Your Facility Needs
By making yourself familiar with these different terms for cleaning, you will better know how to request the type of environment cleaning services your facility needs. At First Call, we have the cleaning solutions you need, from hospital-grade disinfecting services to reliable cleaning and sanitizing services. We are proud to integrate natural products into our cleaning regimes, so your desks and waiting areas are safe for even the littlest hands. Learn more about the natural products we use here.
Environment Cleaning Services Should Follow Authoritative Guidelines
Facilities like hospitals and schools must be sure their disinfection protocols follow health and safety requirements. While the guidelines set forth by the CDC, EPA, and OSHA are similar, each has its own specifications. At First Call, we stay up to date on the requirements and suggestions of each authority. When you choose First Call to help make sure your hospital or school is safe, you can trust us to disinfect your surfaces with the greatest care for the people your facility serves.
We are also able to offer advice about the level of cleaning your facility may need, even at a large scale. From the different types of cleaning to the regularity of service, we can create a custom quote that meets your facility’s required standards and keeps its occupants safe from germs.
Some Surfaces Need More Cleaning and Care Than Others
When it comes time to disinfect your facility, your cleaning service should be cleaning some areas differently than others. This is because germs collect more or live longer on some surfaces and materials than others. Depending on the surface and its purpose, it may be necessary to: use different cleaning and disinfecting products that don’t react poorly with the material; leave the disinfecting products on surfaces long enough to work; or clean, then disinfect areas of high traffic.
Which environmental surfaces must be cleaned and decontaminated more rigorously? The high traffic areas with materials that encourage germs to live longest include:
- Doorknobs
- Tabletops (or desks)
- Countertops
- Sinks
- Glass (high traffic glass areas could include coffee tables, doors, shared kitchenware)
- Appliance handles (stainless steel refrigerator or dishwasher handles, cabinet handles)
- Plastics (toys in a waiting room, shopping carts, bathroom doors)
These are just a few examples. Within a hospital, there are many specialized areas, such as waiting rooms, supply caddies, trash cans, and other surfaces that can also require special attention.
Leave the Environmental Cleaning Services to the Experts
With the heightened concerns around health and safety even higher this winter, don’t leave the disinfection of your facility to a rookie company. Trust First Call to ensure the safety of your building’s occupants with the same dedication that has made us the go-to company for North Carolina’s cleaning needs for over 30 years. Contact us today to get started .
