The Covid-19 Cleaning Lessons We’ve Learned

We’ve all certainly learned a lot during the last few years.

I mean, who would’ve thought they’d turn out the way they did… But as we all know, life is a continuous learning experience.

Unlike many other industries, the commercial cleaning industry has been busy since the start of the pandemic. But that’s not to say that we’ve had our fair share of potholes to evade.

Commercial cleaners have learned a lot during Covid-19 – we’ve seen that old and proven lessons must be more closely adhered to and that new lessons must be introduced.

If the job of cleaning professionals is to keep people safe and healthy, then all the proven lessons we have been taught over the years to ensure 100% cleanliness is achieved must be followed.

At In-Tec, we’ve been in the industry for over 28 years which means we’ve been around long enough to see things change in the cleaning sector but also see things stay. That’s why in this article, we’re going to take you through 4 old, yet proven Covid-19 cleaning lessons, and also 2 new ones.

Old and proven Covid-19 cleaning lessons are vital

Just because something is considered ‘old,’ it doesn’t mean it needs to be thrown away or forgotten.

And that’s exactly the case for the 4 cleaning lessons below. Although they aren’t new by any means, they have been put forward as the most important lessons to remember in the commercial cleaning industry.

Let’s find out what they are.

1.   Always clean surfaces before disinfecting

Ah, the oldest rule in the book.

Something commercial cleaners have been following for many many years – you could say it’s our philosophy.

Never ever disinfectant before cleaning.

Effective cleaning is thorough cleaning and the best way to do this is by thinking of the whole process like a set of stairs. Cleaning is the bottom step, then sanitising is the middle step, and at the top you have disinfecting.

Each step has a crucial role in the entire cleaning process:

• Cleaning – removes dirt, dust, odours, and other soils from surfaces (does not kill or thoroughly remove germs, bacteria, and viruses).
• Sanitising – reduces the number of germs, bacteria, and viruses from surfaces to a safe level
• Disinfecting – kills 99.99% of harmful bacteria and viruses from surfaces

If you wish to clean properly, this is the way to do it.

Cleaning professionals have been taught for years to clean surfaces first before disinfecting. And before the pandemic, this rule was often overlooked as “it didn’t really matter.” But now, it can’t be. In fact, this old but proven lesson is probably the most important one a cleaner should follow.

However, it can only be accomplished by using the proper cleaning solutions, products, methods, and equipment.

Remember the process – clean and sanitise in one step, then disinfect in a separate step (👈 click on the link to find out more!).

2.   Training is key

Just like we all undertake training when we start a new job, a cleaner does too.

Covid-19 has taught us that training must go beyond the standard cleaning procedures. Cleaners need to be trained in and understand infection control and prevention. This includes:

• How to disinfect properly and how to use the right products to achieve this
• How to prevent cross-contamination e.g. colour-coded microfibre cloths
• What order surfaces/areas should be cleaned in e.g. amenities should always be cleaned first

By offering the appropriate training, cleaners know exactly how to clean for health – protect themselves and the employees at the site.

But training doesn’t just occur in the first few weeks of the job. It is ongoing as, in this industry, we’re constantly seeing new cleaning procedures and technologies coming out.

3.   Read the label

You know when you should read the instructions manual when assembling a new piece of IKEA furniture, but you don’t bother because you think you know what you’re doing and don’t need a piece of paper to figure it out…

I mean, we’ve all been there before!

But I can’t say this is the case for reading labels on cleaning products, specifically disinfectants. Disinfectant product labels provide a wealth of crucial information such as:

• Dwell time – how long the disinfectant must sit on a surface to kill the germs, bacteria, and viruses
• What pathogens the disinfectant is engineered to kill
• Whether the disinfectant must be rinsed off surfaces after use

By reading the labels or instructions, the cleaner knows how to use them in order to achieve an optimal result. An old but proven cleaning lesson.

4.   Surface testing

How do you know whether a surface is really clean? How can you be so sure that you’ve removed all the pathogens in your workplace?

The answer – ATP testing.

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) monitoring and testing systems have been around for many years. Initially used within industries that had concerns about contamination e.g. food service and preparation, it has now expanded to the commercial cleaning industry.

Although their use has been sporadic, ATP monitors should be used regularly to test surfaces before and after cleaning as they are a proven scientific system.

To explain, ATP tests detect what is invisible to the naked eye. They test the bacteria load counts on surfaces and reveal the presence of biological matter in a mere few seconds. The more organic matter detected, the higher the Relative Light Units reading will be.

To put it simply, the higher the test result, the higher the risk of infection which means the cleaning’s effectiveness is not up to standard.

🔍 If you want to get into the nitty-gritty of ATP testing, read our article How Do I Know if a Surface is Really Clean? [ATP Testing].

By conducting ATP tests, commercial cleaning services can:

• Monitor cleaning effectiveness
• Provide better training to cleaners
• Evaluate cleaning solutions, tools, and procedures used

And there you have it, the last old but proven Covid-19 cleaning lesson.

The new Covid-19 cleaning lessons that have evolved

Of course, as humans, we’re always learning and evolving.

It never stops, and it certainly hasn’t when it’s come to the cleaning lessons learned during Covid-19.

There are 2 lessons the commercial cleaning industry has learnt over the last few years.

1.   Conducting site assessments/evaluations

Although In-Tec has always conducted site assessments and evaluations, their importance has only recently become more relied on.

Essentially, a site evaluation helps identify what surfaces need the most attention (e.g. high touchpoints) and what areas are being overlooked or not cleaned properly. This enables the cleaner to get an idea of what they need to work on more to keep the premises safe and healthy.

As we all want to know how well we’re doing at our job, a site assessment does just this. It shows the cleaner where there’s room for improvement.

Site assessments also determine whether anything needs to be changed to the cleaning such as frequency, chemicals, disinfectants, equipment, and cleaning procedures.

To summarise, it ensures the standard delivered is upheld consistently – you will always get a proper cleaning service.

2.   HVAC systems are turned off before disinfecting

Who would’ve thought that you need to turn off the aircon or heater whilst cleaning and disinfecting!

Before the pandemic, we rarely heard of such cleaning protocols being recommended. However in light of everything that’s happened, turning off HVAC systems makes total sense!

When we clean and disinfect surfaces, vapours from the chemicals can be released into the air. And no, these vapours certainly aren’t good for us. In fact, they can cause all sorts of health issues for humans such as:

• The burning of the throat, nose, and respiratory tract e.g. lungs
• Irritations to the skin

Nobody, and I mean nobody wants this!

🔍 Read our article What is the Definition of Clean? [Clean Shouldn’t Smell] to find out more about VOCs and SOAs and how they’re detrimental to our health.

What am I getting at?

Well, the entire cleaning process can release potentially high-risking contaminants into the air. And when the HVAC systems are on, they can spread these particles more freely increasing the chance of employees and cleaners inhaling harmful fumes and pathogens.

We want to ensure that everyone including our cleaners and your employees are kept safe and healthy – that’s really all everything is about!

And during the pandemic, it’s safe to say that this is one of the key lessons the commercial cleaning industry has learned.

However, there is one thing I do want to point out before we move on.

There is no need to turn off HVAC systems if you have the proper cleaning agents in place.

What do we mean by proper?

I’m talking about cleaning solutions that don’t contain SOAs and VOCs such as Tersano and eWater! Of course, there are others out there, but these are the ones the team at In-Tec use and recommend for all our sites.

Our industry has stuck with the old, but also embraced the new.

Every workplace needs a professional cleaning service

The pandemic has left us with no room for error.

Professional, dedicated, well-trained cleaners are needed now more than ever before. It’s safe to say that the world has come to the realisation that cleaning companies are valuable and super-duper important in ensuring the health and safety of human beings.

In fact, something we like to say at In-Tec is, “cleaners help save lives.” And this is the truth.

Now one thing you might be thinking is, “Is there anything I should specifically know about Covid-19?”

Yes there certainly is!

Read our article The 4 Myths of Covid-19 No One’s Telling You to debunk the bogus myths and fake news surrounding the virus. Plus, you’ll also find out how to clean for Covid-19. Happy reading!