If you type the words ‘cleaning and disinfecting services’ into your search engine, the result is a mix of cleaning AND disinfecting companies. While Google algorithms might not know the difference between cleaning and disinfecting, you should. After all, companies owe it to their employees and customers to provide an environment safe from germs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gives this definition for each:
- Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but removing them lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
- Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but killing germs on a surface after cleaning, can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
- Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection. Sanitizing is the process that is most common in the food processing industry.
As you can see from these definitions, cleaning your environment isn’t the best way to stop the spread of contagious viruses like the flu or SARS-CoV-2. Before you hire a company to disinfect your facility, ask these four questions:
- Do you disinfect or clean surfaces? This is an essential question to ask to find the right company to kill bacteria and viruses. As explained above, cleaning alone doesn’t kill these harmful germs.
- What type of products do you use? You should look for a company that uses an EPA-registered antimicrobial disinfectant that is safe for pets, children, and the environment.
- Can you provide a list of the viruses and bacteria your product disinfects against? Don’t settle for vague statements like ‘our product kills germs’. You should be given a specific list of all bacteria and viruses it kills.
- How is the product applied? You should look for a company that applies disinfecting solutions with an electrostatic spray system. Last July, the United States Environmental Protection Agency recommended using electrostatic sprayers for use against Covid, also called SARS-CoV-2.
At Bactronix, we’re proud that airlines, medical facilities, schools, offices, restaurants, fitness centers and other commercial businesses have trusted us to disinfect their facilities. We’ve been in the disinfection business long before the pandemic increased awareness on disinfection. Since 2013, we have owned the slogan: “Fighting the invisible enemy”. If you’d like more information on how you can keep your customers and employees safe from highly contagious diseases, contact us!
