Cleaning Hygiene Today Cleaning Hygiene Magazine
By James White, Managing Director at Denis Rawlins Ltd
Who would have thought this time last year that we would be navigating our way out of a third national lockdown?
COVID-19 has turned our lives upside down and the freedoms we once took for granted have been kept from us for far too long. But with Spring in full swing, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel.
If all goes to plan with the government’s roadmap, we will be lockdown-free in a matter of months. The 21st of June, or ‘Freedom Day’ as it is being coined, will hopefully see all legal restrictions lifted, and we can finally start to rebuild the lifestyle we all once had.
But we cannot for one second pretend that these liberties are risk-free. Vaccines are never 100% effective and there will always be those that refuse inoculation. So, it looks like COVID will remain in general circulation for at least the foreseeable future. We have to learn to live alongside the virus, but there are many ways we can reduce transmission, and make lockdowns a thing of the past.
Practices such as social distancing, hand washing, and face coverings have gone a long way towards controlling the virus. They have even suppressed other seasonal illnesses such as the common cold and flu. But these efforts have to be underpinned by a robust approach and investment in cleaning.
Cleaning and hygiene have been hailed as the first lines of defence against COVID-19 throughout the pandemic. From deep cleans and fogging to touchpoint sterilisation, we can add a lot of value. But the traditional methods that so many once relied on simply will not cut it in our post-pandemic world. We have to invest in science-led strategies that not only kill all infection risks but prevent them from returning.
To help businesses get ready for a restriction-free world, we have put together a simple three step process that not only ensures premises are COVID-secure, but also protects them from future infection.
We call this our ‘Remove, Improve and Protect Strategy’.
Step one is to remove all dirt and bacteria from floors and surfaces. This doesn’t mean covering the place in disinfectant – it might kill 99.9% of germs but it does not remove them. If disinfectant is simply applied with a mop or cloth, it leaves dead microbes, along with any surviving ones, smeared across the surface. These microbes then serve as a food source for the next wave of bugs.
These harsh chemicals are not necessary if a proper clean is executed. By applying water and the correct chemistry to loosen soils, we can then employ high-flow fluid extraction to remove the used solution and contaminants, storing this separately for disposal.
The second step of the process focuses on maintaining these improved cleanliness levels at each clean. Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) measurements are taken before and after cleaning to provide proof of the standard of clean. This not only instils confidence in the process, but it also provides reassurance to business owners that their premises are free from infection risks.
It is also important to continuously improve air quality. Our new Ilimex indoor air steriliser is a UK first in air purification. It kills 99.9999% of airborne pathogens instantly on the first pass through the unit’s unique sterilisation chamber and continues to sterilise the air five times every hour.
The final step is to protect these cleanliness levels. Pathogen-free surfaces are unlikely to stay that way for long, which is why it is crucial to protect those areas with an anti-microbial shield.
This offers active protection for any treated surface, significantly reducing the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses, and providing long-lasting defence.
The solution can be applied to a surface by spraying, wiping, or ‘fogging’, leaving behind a mono-molecular layer that permanently bonds to the surface, forming a protective barrier. Regular, routine cleaning can continue without disturbing the effectiveness of the coating.
Having the right tools for the job is essential, which is why have recently added a revolutionary British product to our portfolio, which offers the highest levels of protection against SARS-CoV-2, killing all known infections and hospital superbugs.
GermErase, which is available as a multi-purpose cleaning spray and hand sanitiser, kills COVID-19 in under 30 seconds. It provides a 99.9999% 6-log protective barrier against pathogens for 48 hours and leaves a 99.99% 4-log residual effect for 28 days.
Long term protection for long term safety
In today’s fragile world, there is no place for archaic, sub-standard cleaning processes. If we want to make lockdowns a thing of the past, we must move with the times, break down the barriers to change and invest in scientific based cleaning.
National restrictions may soon be a thing of the past, but science-led cleaning is here to stay. And it has never been more crucial to invest in your cleaning and hygiene practices.
