The virus that causes Coronavirus (COVID-19) can land on any surface when a person coughs, sneezes, talks, or breathes without wearing a mask. If another person then touches those contaminated surfaces and then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes, they can become infected. For this reason, surface cleaning is essential at home, at work, and in public spaces.
However, cleaning with soap or detergent only removes some of the virus. This may decrease the infection risk but not be sufficient to protect workers and members of the public. Deep cleaning conducted by a professional cleaning contractor makes a more significant impact on the spread of COVID-19. Disinfection provides coronavirus decontamination, and this can be further complemented with disinfection fogging to reach into those harder-to-reach places.
High Contact Surfaces
Disinfection by hand should focus on high contact surfaces and will make the most significant impact. Here we look at high-contact surfaces, which should be regularly disinfected by a specially trained cleaning technician wearing gloves and a face mask.
Computers & Controls
You may be able to cover keypads with a wipeable cover to make disinfection easier. Disinfection should be completed using an approved product on the EPA List N, and products containing alcohol dry quickest.
Bathroom Cleaning
The high-touch surfaces in bathrooms that need cleaning include flush buttons and levers, taps, sinks, toilet seats, hand dryers, and dispensers.
Kitchen Cleaning
High-touch surfaces that need disinfecting in kitchens include vending machine buttons, cupboard door and drawer handles, and the handles on fridges, freezers, cookers, hobs, kettles, and microwaves.
Cleaning Linen
Linen encompasses items such as hand towels, dishcloths, and drying up cloths. Where it is not possible to replace the linen with disposable alternatives, they should be laundered regularly at the highest temperature.
Cleaning Outdoor Areas And Entranceways
High touch surfaces should be disinfected regularly and may include metal and plastic surfaces such as door handles, railings, playground structures, intercoms and doorbells, locks, tables, chairs, and elevator buttons.
Cleaning Shared Vehicles
If you have a carpool, share your vehicle with another individual, or drive a taxi, then high-touch surfaces should be cleaned before and after use. Surfaces include car door handles on the inside and outside, steering wheels, gear sticks, seat belts, indicators, air conditioning and radio buttons, and the handbrake.
Cleaning When Someone Is Sick
If someone is sick and has tested positive for Coronavirus, then any areas where they have been in the last 24 hours should be cleaned and disinfected. It is safest to clean these spaces after waiting at least three hours, which is the amount of time the virus can survive in the air and should be vacated during this waiting period.
The virus can survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours and stainless steel and plastic for up to three days. Disinfection fogging is particularly effective, with the mist settling on all surfaces, providing a deep clean.
For advice on COVID-19 cleaning or to arrange COVID-19 disinfection or fogging, please call our team on 0800 086 9215.
