Did you ever disinfect your groceries at the beginning of the pandemic? Or did you spend a considerable amount of time researching disinfectants and cleaners for the most potent stuff you could find? At the beginning of COVID-19, no one knew how the virus spread on surfaces, and even the CDC issued guidance on increased sanitizing and disinfecting.
This initial panic led many businesses to spend time and money on extensive deep cleaning or using strong chemicals and disinfectants. While these practices can be helpful in certain instances, they are not always necessary for every business’s needs and can drain a business’s budget and time.
We now know that the rate of surface transmission is pretty low. In a recent article from propmodo.com, author Nick Piptone cites an Atlantic article that calls the frenzy of hyper cleaning we experienced at the beginning of the pandemic ‘hygiene theater.’ Businesses became obsessed with showing that they were practicing extensive cleaning and began using strong disinfectants and cleaners, sometimes improperly.
He quotes Steve Askin, CEO of the Askin group, a consulting firm for the professional cleaning industry, on the use of disinfectants: “These chemicals need to be on the surface for a specific amount of time for the chemicals to actually kill or deactivate the pathogen on the surfaces. In some cases, people apply the disinfectant, and they leave it there. And so they’re not actually cleaning. They may kill the pathogen that’s on the surface, but they leave it there, and they leave the chemicals, residue, and all the other contaminants on the surface as well.’
So what do we learn from this? First, that it’s time to re-evaluate how businesses clean two years into COVID-19. Is it proper cleaning or hygiene theater? Second, is the use of chemicals and disinfectants appropriate for your businesses’ needs? Third, are they being used correctly? As professionals, we can help you find the right balance between consistent cleaning and disinfecting for your business.
One of the ways we can help is with our MicroShield 360 treatment. This antimicrobial treatment helps prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew, and viruses that come into contact with a treated surface. It forms an antimicrobial layer that lasts for up to one year, and you clean the treated surface with water, thereby eliminating the need for harmful chemical cleaners.
The more we learn about COVID-19, the more we can adapt our practices for safety and security. As a business owner, you want to keep your business clean and safe for your employees and customers. So if it’s time to re-evaluate your cleaning practices, let us help. We can provide guidance and set you up with professional cleaning services that are appropriate for your needs.
