Disinfection is a complicated service. Many times, a true disinfection is either improbable or entirely impossible. So, we want to briefly give some tips to consumers.
First, all services are not created equally. What we mean by that is a disinfectant spray or fog is not equal to disinfection. The problem that we are seeing recently is that there are many companies offering services that are either worded incorrectly or they are offering services that are incorrect or even fraudulent. Most of these companies are making honest mistakes attempting to offer a service that they feel will be helpful however, however, lacking critical protocol and procedures in correct disinfection services. Most cleaning companies are concerned with appearance. If it looks clean then most cleaning companies consider that treatment acceptable. It may or may not be.
Then we have restoration contractors. Some restoration firms have stated that they are experts in disinfection because they regularly use disinfectant chemicals or hospital-grade sanitizers. While they do use disinfectant occasionally, the use of those chemicals makes them no more of an expert on disinfection than I would be on petroleum because I use gasoline in my vehicle often.
Disinfection is inherently a process. A specific cleaning protocol, created by the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) and the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) together, is used and multiple steps should be taken. Third party confirmation is suggested for clearance by a qualified hygienist. These are the steps we apply when we clean facilities that must be disinfected to professional standards.
I think most companies are trying to do something good but most are not offering a professional quality disinfection. So be leery of companies that offer a spray, a fog, an Ultra Low Volume (ULV) fog/spray or any other disinfection spray/fog service. There is unfortunately no magic disinfection potion that we may use and walk away from to properly disinfect. Sprays and fogs are part of disinfection but only a part. A company that offers to “fog” or “spray” a building for disinfection is most likely inexperienced, improperly trained or trying to make a quick buck. HEPA vacuuming is something we use in cleaning, but this, too, is ineffective against a virus on its own. Cleaning companies should be selling a process and NOT making “too good to be true” guarantees which are likely invalid before the ink on the check dries.
What should you look for in a quality disinfection contractor or industrial cleaner? You will want your contractor to include a full cleaning protocol. You want full SDS (safety data sheets) on chemicals used. Most EPA-registered virucides include a list of viruses that they are effective against. While these chemicals have not undergone lengthy tests against the SARS Cov-2 virus that causes the disease Covid-19, the EPA allows manufacturers to label the chemicals as effective virucides if they have proven to be effective killing other enveloped SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) viruses successfully.
What can you do at home? There are professional cleaning options available for homes and private residences, however, there are simple things available in most homes that are effective cleaners against viruses. Soap and water. It’s pretty simple here, folks. Soap is your friend. Use it often. Paper towels for hand drying or not sharing hand towels. Hydrogen peroxide is a very effective cleaner. Remember to be very careful wherever cleaners are used because many of these chemicals can and will change or remove color from some items. Bleach is sodium hypochlorite and is very effective in killing viruses. As in all chemical applications, the surface should be cleaned then you may disinfect with a solution of one tablespoon of bleach to one gallon of cool water.
We hope everyone stays safe during these unprecedented times and we all return to normal very soon!
Stephen Holland is the owner of Atlantic Corporation of North Carolina. They are a local NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association ) certified, family owned and operated small business.
