There are typically four types of cleaning … To learn more: Environmental Protection Agency. Auto-scrubbers provide operators with a continuous fresh source of cleaning solution. Disinfecting kills any remaining germs on surfaces, which further reduces any risk of … Bertha and Warren Litsky demonstrated in 1968 thateffective dust removal before wet mopping or scrubbing of floors proved to be an importantpart of the cleaning and disinfecting process. Regular vacuuming removes dust and particles that may damage the fibers in your rug. Thank you! The spread of COVID19 creates a unique situation, however. With cleaning requirements increasing dramatically, eliminate your additional daily floor detergent costs. Other best practices include picking up any pallet chips, cleaning up debris and blotting/removing any spills. Apply sanitizer. Dangerous reactions created when mixing chemicals, especially chlorine containing products like bleach. Gentle Cleansers. Resurfacing your hardwood floors should not take over your life. After cleaning, allow enough time for the machine surfaces to fully air dry and store auto-scrubbers in a dry area with squeegee, scrub head and sweep head in the up postion.Â, If you’re wondering about the cost or environmental impact of using detergents or other chemicals in the floor cleaning process, Tennant Company offers cost-effective and environmentally-responsible alternatives, ec-H2O NanoClean® and ec-H2O™. The treatment needed for different types of floors is very different. Environmental Protection Agency Product Test Guidelines, OCSPP 810.2000, General Considerations for Testing Public Health Antimicrobial Pesticides, EPA 712-C-17-002, February 2018. When is there an available time when I can shut down the area where disinfectant can sit on the floor for the required amount of time? Please try again later. In most cases, sanitizing is done where there is low risk of contamination from bloodborne pathogens or bodily fluids and generally refers to lessening or reducing the presence of bacteria or viruses. Combine the ingredients in a large bowl. The spread of COVID-19 has put a new spotlight on the importance of maintaining clean, healthy environments. We know the difference. It may cost a little more but if floor cleaning is done wrong, it will end up costing a lot more. Hospitals, clinics, schools and other organizations that have higher risks of blood and other bodily fluids need to disinfect surfaces to almost completely eliminate or kill viruses and bacteria. If this is a new step in your SOP, review why this task is being asked. Make lists of challenges your facility faces. It’s critical to review labels and Safety Data Sheets for protection requirements. We would love to hear from you. Moreover, make sure the floor stays wet for long enough for the disinfectant to work before scrubbing or squeegeeing the floor. See, Make sure the products you’re using offer the appropriate efficacy outcomes you desire.Â. Whether on a regular day or during the novel coronavirus, new challenges and new demands are constantly facing the floor care sector. Confidently clean with technology registered with the NSF for cleaning in food and beverage environments and certified by the National Floor Safety Institute as not impacting floor friction. Thoroughly apply the disinfectant by wiping or spraying and carefully follow contact time and PPE instructions. This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other … In operations relying on mop and bucket usage, incorrect use can lead to cross-contamination as soils and dirty mop water are spread around rather than being recovered. There was an error retrieving your cart. Rinse the floor with low-pressure water and remove excess water. Identifying the type of floor. Based on decades of expertise in the cleaning industry, we’ve put together a list of 3 professional tips for hard floor cleaning processes, especially during this time when cleaning and disinfecting can be key to a healthier environment: It may sound obvious, but it is important to remember to start cleaning surfaces that are higher up so that debris that falls to the floor will not cross-contaminate the floor surface. 4515 Chesswood Dr Unit N Toronto ON M3J 2V6, 3 professional tips for hard floor cleaning processes. Frequent disinfection of floor surfaces can help keep the virus that causes Covid-19 away. COVID-19 is the abbreviation for coronavirus disease 2019. As you and your staff are asked to expose yourselves to more and more chemicals while combating SARS-CoV-2, use this technology to reduce chemical exposure in your normal cleaning operations. Cleaning: Cleaning is the physical removal of soil, debris, residues and organic substances from the surface. Rinse with a clean mop dampened in clean water, but only if the cleaning product requires it. Floor Cleaning Processes & Planning: A Holistic View. This first step is essential, as sanitizers and disinfectants perform better when soil has been removed from the surface before application. We customize our services to fit your needs, and you will enjoy clean, healthy, welcoming work and leisure environments every day. Wring it out thoroughly so the mop is damp, not wet. Floors have been typically referred to as noncritical surfaces that don’t commonly come in direct contact with human skin. Ensure that cleaning professional staff is aware of the required contact time for each product as sanitizers or disinfectants with different contact times could be used in the same facility. We developed our proprietary software to guarantee top cleaning and maintenance standards consistently. Check end concentration frequently. No-touch cleaners … The four basic elements are Chemical, Heat, Agitation and Time. Wipe up excess liquid … Take care that proper personal protective equipment is worn throughout the process.Â. Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) Core Service Plan, INSIGHTS AND BEST PRACTICES FOR MAINTAINING CLEAN, HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS, The COVID-19 pandemic crisis has caused some confusion with nomenclature. Rinse out all mops and hang to dry. Others include this in their protocols based on existing health code or industry standards. They often are used incorrectly in the disnfecting process, though. Each disinfectant has its own contact time – so paying close attention is important. Marble floors look great after being damp-mopped using either clear water, an all-purpose cleaning solution in warm water, or a mixture of 1 cup fabric softener and 1/2 gallon water. Reduce costs and improve productivity by eliminating purchasing, storage, handling and chemical mixing tasks. According to a recent survey by Bissel, 32 percent of Americans wait at least one week to clean their floors. Our specialists apply their expert training and knowledge of best-in-class cleaning practices to both clean and disinfect all floor surfaces. Place all cleaning supplies and accessories back onto the janitorial cart, and … Moreover, make sure the floor stays wet for long enough for the disinfectant to work before scrubbing or squeegeeing the floor. Is there an increased concern of COVID-19 in the facility? We pride ourselves on being able to correct any issues in real-time. You can also combine the ingredients in a bucket, but you’ll have to dump out any leftovers once you’ve finished cleaning the floor. You can even walk on your newly restored floors … Cleaning is the fundamental first step in this process. Professional hard floor cleaning and care is important all the time but especially crucial during this time of the global Covid-19 pandemic to lower the risks of spreading germs and possibly infection. Wipe and rinse equipment with water to remove disinfectant residues from machine, paying specific attention to the scrub deck, squeegees and other areas prone to chemical corrosion in order to reduce the potential for damage to your equipment. This process doesn’t kill germs, but it helps remove soil and other physical contaminants on the surface. According to Bodo, that means having the floor cleaned regularly to remove stains plus gloss restoration. Take these lists to industry professionals that you trust and work together to maintain a schedule for floor cleaning and floor disinfecting. This is especially true for patient rooms, emergency rooms, restrooms, surgical suites and other areas where people frequently introduce both airborne and blood-borne pathogens to the environment. Distilled water and pH-neutral floor cleaner … Give our expert service team a call today so we can help you make your facility a cleaner, healthier, more productive, and welcoming environment. People’s shoes and laces, backpacks or briefcases, shopping carts and suitcases are all possible carriers of these infected droplets through a facility. Ordinarily, facilities like shopping malls, factories and office buildings can maintain clean and healthy environments by regularly cleaning their floors. https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2, https://www.mdedge.com/chestphysician/article/136009/healthcare-acquired-infections/hospitalfloors-are-overlooked. Cleaning Concrete Floors. This type of flooring also requires regular washing. Damp-mop the floor, being careful to prevent standing water on the floor. Never assume that VCT (vinyl composite tile) flooring is used in facilities. Skip directly … On a hard non-porous floor, this process is best performed with a walk-behind, ride-on or robotic auto-scrubber that applies fresh cleaning solution and provides agitation and vacuum recovery as it removes contaminants from the floor. Sanitizers and disinfectants require specific contact times to work effectively. They can damage the floor or leave a dull film in their wake. It’s important to know the difference to plan, communicate and execute processes correctly and to accomplish desired results.Â. In order to disinfect with an auto-scrubber, operators can use the double scrubbing technique to ensure that floors remain wet for the proper allotted time. Use a gentle cleanser to spot-clean visibly dirty areas, and always follow up by wiping the area with a dry, absorbent cloth. The best practices for doing this are well established. Additional steps of either sanitizing or disinfecting can take place after cleaning has been accomplished. This is the most preferred way of cleaning in … Zerorez® uses powerful stand-alone cleaning units and the latest resurfacing processes to cut down on time and hassle. See page 6 for more information. Our clients have access to service tracking and audits, which gives them the ability to have all the information needed without even making a phone call. 5 High-Touch Surfaces to clean in public restrooms. Often times, cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting are used interchangeably as these words have different meanings in different parts of the world. Cleaning performed with an auto-scrubber provides strong cleaning results due to high level of “agitation” and a consistent flow of “chemicals” in fresh cleaning solution. Make sure the dispensing system is properly diluting, per label instructions. Never use a sponge mop to clean ceramic-tile … 859-878-1044 If you need help building a long-term cleaning plan or if you want near-term insights for managing through the COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage you to contact a Tennant Company cleaning expert.Â. It may sound silly but taking extra precautions can keep facilities hygienic and disinfected. Environmental Protection Agency Product Test Guidelines, OCSPP 810.2200, Disinfectants for Use on Environmental Surfaces, EPA 712-C-17-004, February 2018. Disinfectants are often dispensed through dilution systems. Guidance for cleaning and disinfecting a public space, facility, or business to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Comments? Ideally, your facility should use foam-based or other no-touch cleaners for both drains and floors. Machine safety and care are critical, so make sure all of the non-porous surfaces of the machine are 5 thoroughly cleaned after use. Facility managers should hire industry professionals only. COVID-19 is the pandemic disease that is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Brands marked with ® are registered in the United States and/or other countries. Surfaces must remain wet for a range of 2-10 minutes. Cleaning: Cleaning is the physical removal of soil, debris, residues and organic substances from the surface. Luxury vinyl tiles can make it look like your floor is wood when it is ceramic. But thanks to some handy tools and a troubleshooting approach, you can keep yours … Dust … Questions? Professional hard floor cleaning and care is important all the time but especially crucial during this time of the global Covid-19 pandemic to lower the risks of spreading germs and possibly infection. Review PPE, incompatible materials, hazards to avoid. Tennant recommends routine cleaning and disinfecting of equipment surfaces and parts. In general, disinfectants demonstrate a reduction of >99.9999% in the number of specific microorganisms within “≤ 10 minutes of contact”.3Â, There are significant risks when using disinfectants — potential for chemical exposure, accidents and damage to physical assets. Now is not the time to settle for second best. Each disinfectant has its own contact time – so paying close attention is important. That is old news. This provides more benefits than traditional auto-scrubbers already offer, including redeployment of employees to more critical cleaning/disinfecting and validation of cleaning performed and consistency of clean. Because the SARS-CoV-2 virus is highly contagious and because it appears to live on hard surfaces for several days, many organizations are taking or asking that the extra step of disinfecting their floors to be completed as more studies are provided regarding the spread of pathogens. In summary, clean flooring has always been important. Improper applications of disinfectants that don’t provide adequet contact time i.e. After the contact time has been met, the operator can then lower the squeegee and turn on the vacuum to recover solution and soils if not allowed to air dry. We know that the novel coronavirus is a droplet-based virus and infected droplets will fall to the floor. Before selecting a cleaner or disinfectant, review labels to determine if the chemistry is compatible with the auto-scrubber surfaces and parts. On a hard non-porous floor, this process is best performed with a walk-behind, ride-on or robotic auto-scrubber that applies fresh cleaning solution and provides agitation and vacuum recovery as it removes contaminants from the floor. This video details the GaryClean hardwood floor cleaning process from start to finish.Call us today for an estimate! Professional cleaners will know that 90% of dirt on the floor is surface dirt (dust or contaminants), and will be able to identify which chemical, process, and equipment to use to keep your floor surfaces clean and disinfected. All Rights Reserved. Also, according to a third-party study by EcoForm*, ec-H2O NanoClean® and ec-H2O™ significantly impact green cleaning operations in seven key categories: energy, CO2 emissions, ozone, smog, acid, eutrophication, and particulates. In 1959, Dr. Hubert Sinner discussed four basic elements of cleaning and how they interrelate with each other. Start with routine cleaning and then use EPA-approved disinfectants. Hand scrubbing with water and a light detergent can work for … Agitate with floor machine and black pad, remove with wet vac. Example lists: Take these lists to industry professionals that you trust and work together to maintain a schedule for floor cleaning and floor disinfecting. Get additional productivity gains by reducing the amount of dump and fill cycles with a reduced solution flow rate. Additionally, some facilities may be able to use robotic cleaning solutions that automate auto-scrubber operation. Is this a quick response to try and disinfect all surfaces? This cleaning machine uses our patented hardwood floor cleaner and hot water to remove as much dirt as possible. Avoid using ammonia-based cleaning solutions, highly abrasive scrubbers or detergents when removing stains from vinyl. It may cost a little more but if floor cleaning is done wrong, it will end up costing a lot more.The floor is an essential surface even if it has little contact with the skin. For how to clean vinyl floors or other types of floors, add the ingredients to a plastic or glass spray bottle and shake well. Apply disinfectant according to label dilution instructions. Double-scrubbing is an easy technique to use, but does come with a few extra precautions. so we can help you make your facility a cleaner, healthier, more productive, and welcoming environment. Sanitizers and disinfectants are often dispensed through dilution systems. Helpful tip: For new floor, check with the installer for appropriate cure times before applying excess cleaning solutions or floor … These technologies electrically convert water into an effective cleaning solution that saves money, improves safety and reduces environmental impact* compared to traditional cleaning chemicals and methods.Â. But how do you determine cleaning best practices to keep your employees and customers safe? Some of these risks to review include:Â. Corrosivity to equipment, tools and building material.Â, If you are implementing a new protocol, due to the current SARS-CoV-2 contamination concerns, disinfection with an EPA SARS-CoV-2 listed disinfectant, where possible, is best practice. There are labor shortages and absenteeism in the workforce, the need to avoid slips and falls, ensuring high-touchpoint disinfection and appearance levels, and keeping the whole process cost-effective. Generally speaking, floors are deemed non-critical surfaces for most environments and disinfecting them has a limited effect. Cleaning the floor and disinfecting the floor are two extremely different processes that will give you two very different outcomes. They also reduce hazardous slip and falls caused by wet mopping as solution and soils are automatically and quickly recovered.Â. So, facility managers must take precaution and regularly disinfect floor surfaces to make sure people do not track the virus infection through a building or complex. Read our tips for cleaning… Sanitizing: A sanitizer is “a substance, or mixture of substances, that reduces the bacterial population in the inanimate (hard surfaces) environment by significant numbers, but does not destroy or eliminate all bacteria”.1 Non-Food Contact Sanitizers are used on surfaces, such as floors, that do not contact food. Cleaning with soap and water reduces the number of germs, dirt, and impurities on the surface. Cleaners … this video details the GaryClean hardwood floor cleaning processes & Planning: a Holistic View is... To ride when removing stains from vinyl take place after cleaning, allow time surfaces. Lot of use, but only if the cleaning Product requires it and. It must be well-executed to get the results you want on time and hassle into machine. Designed to dispense cleaning solutions that automate auto-scrubber operation a new step in this process, EPA 712-C-17-004, 2018... 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