Things You Might Not Know About Disinfectants

important things you need to know about disinfectants

One of the most crucial stages in the cleaning process is disinfection. Although the number of new COVID-19 cases is not the same as its 2020 peak, it’s still important to be more cautious and implement high levels of disinfection whether in your home or office. However, some people are still not aware of how to properly execute the disinfection stage in the cleaning process. If disinfectants are used irresponsibly or incorrectly it can have adverse effects on people’s health and safety. That is why in this article, we have compiled all the “must know” facts regarding disinfection.

Disinfection VS Sterilization

These two words are often used interchangeably because they are both decontamination processes. These are aimed to kill microorganisms to some degree. Of the two, sterilization is the most advanced method of decontamination for it kills all microorganisms. Disinfecting, on the other hand, only kills harmful microorganisms after the recommended contact time on the product label.

Furthermore, disinfectants have the advantage of availability compared to sterilization since disinfectants are more accessible to the general public. You can find and buy various types of disinfectants in the market. Sterilization is commonly used by cleaning professionals, especially at hospitals, but they are also helpful in keeping businesses and schools germ-free.

Must-Know Facts About Disinfection

Cleaning comes first before disinfecting

The majority of people before the pandemic started would always start their cleaning procedure by disinfecting surfaces instead of cleaning them first. However, as the pandemic became worse by the day people tried to learn the proper way of cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. At present, almost everyone starts by cleaning the surfaces before disinfecting to ensure maximum results.

Ensure that your products are actual disinfectants

The words sanitizing and disinfecting are often used interchangeably that’s why most people think that sanitizers and disinfectants have the same function. However, that isn’t the case. Disinfectants kill every harmful microorganism while sanitizers only lessen them. That’s why we suggest you check whether the products you’re using are sanitizers or disinfectants. You can see this kind of information on the front part of the product.

Following products instructions is essential

Manufacturer instructions are provided for you to better understand and maximize how to best use the product. These usually include specific information regarding the product such as the contact time, where to use it, at what temperature it should be stored, how to make a solution using the product, and warnings if it comes into contact with your eyes, and mouth.

Disinfectants aren’t formulated to remove molds

Although disinfectants are formulated to kill all harmful microorganisms, it still isn’t very effective in getting rid of molds. Thus, opposing various internet articles, and blogs regarding this topic. However, bleach works perfectly in killing mildew. Disinfectants can be a temporary solution at best since there are various disinfectant formulas that may not remove mold or just decrease them.

Bleach doesn’t clean your carpets, clothing, or couch

EPA-approved disinfectants are purposely formulated to be effective on hard surfaces. If you encounter a disinfectant product claiming to kill harmful microorganisms from your carpet, fabric, or couch it’s most likely false. You might disagree with us and say ‘bleach is also a type of disinfectant, but it works perfectly with clothes. It does, doesn’t it? Well, bleach is only effective on clothes because it’s only used as a whitening agent and not a product for killing harmful microorganisms.

Don’t combine chemicals

We know you can see these TikTok videos mixing different types of cleaning products but please do not try recreating them. They might look amazing and satisfying, but mixing various chemicals is dangerous. Doing so would cause a chemical reaction and might suffocate you even if the room you’re cleaning is well ventilated. 

Use in a well-ventilated room

The use of disinfecting agents will definitely expose you to chemicals that aren’t going to do your body good. That’s why increasing your ventilation during and after disinfecting is a must. Doing so would greatly decrease your exposure to these harmful chemicals. Some ways to help you increase your ventilation is by opening windows or doors to allow natural air to flow in and out of the room.

Some of the Highly Touched Surfaces and How to Disinfect Them

Appliances

You might be surprised at how your office appliance is prone to germs, fungi, and bugs that you are casually touching on a daily basis. These are likely carriers of diseases that could affect your health drastically. That’s why keeping them disinfected is crucial to not spread any kind of disease within the office. A simple mixture of 1 part water and 1 part white vinegar would do the trick. Just pour or spray the right amount of mixture, let it sit for a while, then wipe it with clean paper towels or wipes.

Doorknobs

disinfecting doorknobs

Doorknobs are one of the frequently touched surfaces by people going in and out of a room. They might be dirtier than your toilet sits from the number of people touching it daily. These things are perfect for incubating different kinds of microorganisms. The best way to kill these microorganisms is through the use of an all-purpose cleaner with bleach.

Light Switches

These may not be often touched as doorknobs but they are still on our list of frequently touched surfaces. The fact that we need to disinfect them on a regular basis would provide a great reduction in the number of harmful microorganisms found in the office. Disinfecting them is similar to disinfecting doorknobs; just use an all-purpose cleaner with bleach. Make sure to wipe it down after letting it sit for a few minutes.

Laptops, Computers, and Other Electronics

With the continuous advancement in technology, most of us can’t live our lives without having to touch one, but did you know that these electronics are one of the germiest things in your home and office? Well, we ought to do something about that. Try using a non-alcohol-based cleaner (white vinegar mix or lemon water) or if you’re dealing with a much tougher stain, using diluted hydrogen peroxide will do the trick for you. Just ensure that you’re wearing some PPE to avoid the damages that the mixture might cause.

Disinfecting your office was never an easy task. However, getting it done or outsourcing the service is crucial in ensuring you, the employees, and the customers’ health and safety. It can be time-consuming and heavy on the wallet, but it would greatly reduce the risk of exposure to dangerous viruses and dramatically reduce the infection rate.At Burgos Cleaning, we ensure all important parts of your office are in top condition and create a comfortable working environment. We offer our services in Connecticut (Fairfield, Hartford, and Litchfield County) and provide numerous office cleaning services on the commercial level from small businesses to big buildings and complexes. Contact us now to avail the best commercial cleaning services in town!