Commercial Cleaning Industry News, Tips, Guide and Checklist

When an infected person sneezes or coughs, COVID-19 spreads by respiratory droplets – an individual can contract the virus by touching a virus-infected object or surface and then touching their nose, mouth, or eyes.

Implementing the correct disinfecting and cleaning steps in your office space is a vital approach to safeguarding workers and others from the danger of COVID-19 infection. Covid-19 cleaning services are a must solution for all types of covid deep cleaning solutions.

In order to eradicate the COVID-19 virus, a mixture of disinfection and cleaning is the most effective method.

Cleaning office spaces at least once a day is strongly recommended. In some cases, more regular cleaning might be necessary – if your office space works in shifts, for example, cleaning should be done in between shifts. Furthermore, if employees share equipment, it needs to be cleaned between uses whenever possible.

Cleaning with water and detergent is enough to get the job done, so you don’t need to be excessive.

Surfaces can be disinfected after they’ve been cleaned -the probability of contaminated objects being present determines when and how often your office space, or specific surfaces, must be disinfected.

This includes any time there’s been a case or suspicion of COVID-19 in the office, as well as workplaces with a large number of customers, employees, or visitors who are likely to come in contact with various surfaces.

Essential Factors to Remember Regarding the Covid-19 Virus

• Coronaviruses on objects and surfaces expire in a matter of hours to days. The time the virus remains on the things is reduced as temperatures rise and as it is exposed to sunshine.
• Cleaning surfaces with water and soap on a regular basis removes germs and filth. It reduces the probability of COVID-19 infection spreading.
• Disinfectants are chemicals that kill microorganisms on surfaces. You can further reduce the danger of infection transmission by eradicating bacteria on a surface after washing. Disinfectants approved by health officials are a crucial aspect of lowering the risk of COVID-19 infection. Alternative sanitisers (for example, bleach mixed with water or 70% alcohol solutions) may be used if the disinfectants are in short supply.
• Disinfectants should be stored and used responsibly and as per the label. Mixing bleach and other disinfectant and cleaning solutions can produce vapours that are potentially hazardous to inhale.
• Do not overuse disinfectants or other materials or store them. This could lead to a shortage of acceptable products for other people to use in a crisis. When disinfecting and cleaning, always use gloves that are suitable for the chemicals being used. Depending on the situation and product, additional personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required. 
• Maintain social distance, wear facial covers, and practice proper preventative hygiene, such as regular hand washing and the use of alcohol-based (at least 60% alcohol) hand sanitisers when soap and water are unavailable.

Solutions for Disinfecting and Cleaning

Disinfection and cleaning are two distinct processes:

Cleaning is using a water and detergent solution to physically get rid of germs (viruses and bacteria), grime, and dirt from objects. A detergent is a type of surfactant that works with water to break up grease and oil. It works with anything labelled as a detergent.

Disinfection is the process of killing germs (viruses and bacteria) on surfaces with chemicals. Cleaning is necessary before disinfection because grime and dirt might impair the disinfectant’s effectiveness to kill bacteria.

On hard surfaces, disinfectants comprising 70% alcohol, chlorine bleach, quaternary ammonium compounds, or oxygen bleach are appropriate (that is, places where any spilled liquid pools and doesn’t soak in).

On the box, these are labelled as “disinfectant.” If there is any doubt, the substance’s manufacturers or importing providers must be contacted for assistance.

Hard surfaces should be disinfected with a 1,000 ppm bleach (sodium hypochlorite) solution, according to health officials.

When cleaning after an individual, with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, who has previously been at the office, a combination of disinfectant and cleaning is the most efficient in eliminating the COVID-19 virus.

Disinfectants must have enough contact time to be successful.

Physical cleaning with detergent and water is sufficient for ordinary office space cleaning in non-healthcare settings. The COVID-19 virus cannot be killed by water or physical exertion alone.

Determining Which Areas Need to be Cleaned and Disinfected

Some surfaces can be cleaned simply with soap and water. Objects and surfaces that are not commonly touched, for example, must be cleaned but do not require disinfection. 

Does Your Office Space Have an Outdoors Area?

Outdoor areas usually only need to be cleaned on a regular basis and do not need to be disinfected. Spraying disinfectants on pavements and in parking lots is a waste of disinfectant supplies and has not been proved to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection to the general public. Cleaning and hygiene procedures for outside places should be maintained.

On outdoor hard surfaces and things that are frequently touched by several individuals, disinfectants can be used efficiently, effectively, and safely. 

Has Your Office Space Been Unoccupied for the Past Seven Days?

If your office space has been unoccupied for seven days or more, all that is required to reopen the space is your regular cleaning, which is due to the fact that the virus that causes COVID-19 has never been observed to live on surfaces for longer than this period of time.

When opening public buildings and areas that have been closed for long periods of time, there are various public health factors to consider, not just COVID-19.

Take steps to assure the safety of your office’s water system, for instance. Cleaning ventilation systems, aside from basic maintenance, is not required to reduce the risk of Covid-19. 

Determining What Areas You Need to Disinfect

Following your regular office cleaning practice, disinfect commonly touched surfaces and items with a product from approved COVID-19-resistant products.

Are you disinfecting or cleaning a nonporous, hard object such as metal, glass, or plastic?

If the surface is suitable, you may use diluted household bleach solutions and pay close attention to any personal protective equipment (PPE) that might be required for safe disinfection application, as well as the manufacturer’s advice for any added dangers.

A few of the things you need to disinfect regularly in your office space include:

• Doorknobs
• Tables and desks
• Chairs
• Light switches
• Handles
• Phones
• Countertops
• Sinks and faucets
• Toilets
• Keyboards
• Computers or laptops
• Touch screens
• Coffee cups
• Vending machines

Different surfaces and things are going to be touched often by many people in every office.  Disinfect these objects and surfaces as needed. Transit stations, for instance, have special disinfection and cleaning instructions.

Are you cleaning or sanitizing soft, porous materials or products such as carpets, chairs, or rugs in office areas?

Soft, porous substances are more difficult to disinfect than hard, non-porous surfaces. Porous and soft items that are not regularly touched must only be laundered or cleaned according to the object’s label’s instructions, using the warmest water setting possible. 

How Should You Clean and Disinfect Your Office Space?

Follow the guidelines on the product label for every surface, along with any personal protective equipment you might have to wear to safeguard yourself against chemicals.

After cleaning with your space detergent, use a disinfectant.

If disinfectants are necessary, make sure they are COVID-19 virus-resistant. To use them securely and successfully, follow the directions. Before drying any surfaces with a clean cloth to kill germs, dwell periods – the length of time a substance must be wet on an object – are required.

Start with higher-up objects or surfaces and work your way down to the floor. This procedure makes sure that any dust, debris, or particles drop to the floor, which is then cleaned last.

Clean objects and surfaces that aren’t touched often first.

Work your way up to cleaning things that are regularly touched and have a larger potential for contamination (such as toilets and door handles).

Going from a dirty location to a clean area is not a good idea. This increases the possibility of polluting the cleaned area and ensures that no products or surfaces are contaminated.

After each usage, wash the mop heads and cloths.

After you’re done, wash and dry your hands.

When disinfecting or cleaning, use household gloves to ensure that the cleaning chemicals do not damage your hands. When you’re done, wash your hands and then wash and dry the reusable gloves.

If you’re wearing disposable gloves, take them off after each usage, toss them in the trash, and then wash and dry your hands.

Safety Precautions When Cleaning Your Office Space

• Before cleaning with fluids on or around electrical fittings or equipment, disconnect the equipment and cut off the power supply if possible.
• Read the disinfectant or detergent label and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Get a copy of the disinfectant or detergent’s Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and familiarize yourself with its composition.
• Wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) as specified on the SDS and label.

The Bottom Line

This advice is for everyone who works in an office space, whether you manage the business, are an employee, or a customer/client. To limit our chance of exposure to the virus that creates COVID-19, we must all work together to reopen society by practising social distancing and other everyday practices.

Reopening all offices officially also relies heavily on public health efforts, such as expanded virus testing, isolation, social distancing, and tracking how someone sick may have infected others. 

To reduce our risk of exposure to COVID-19, we must all work together to reopen office spaces permanently, using suggested best practices and maintaining safe daily habits; keep in mind that we’re all in this together!

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we all live!

Contact with respiratory droplets formed when infected individual sneezes or coughs is the most common way COVID-19 transmits from one person to the next. If someone in your house comes into close contact with the infected individual, the droplets might fall directly into their nose, eyes, or mouth. COVID-19 can also be transmitted through the air, with the highest risk occurring in crowded, poorly ventilated indoor environments.

If a person touches something contaminated with the COVID-19 virus and then touches their nose, mouth, or eyes before washing their hands, they might become sick. According to research, the COVID-19 virus can live for long periods of time on certain surfaces. Get more information, about Covid cleaning services

Establishing an appropriate cleaning and disinfecting routine in your home is a vital approach to safeguarding you and your family from the danger of COVID-19 exposure.

In order to eradicate the COVID-19 virus, a combo of cleaning and disinfection is essential.

Homes need to be cleaned on a daily basis at the very least. In most cases, a simple cleaning with water and detergent is sufficient. You can disinfect all your household appliances after they’ve been cleaned.

The likelihood of contaminants being present determines when and how often your house needs to be cleaned. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that are often touched must be prioritized.

Alternatively, you might be able to use a combination of detergent and disinfectant to conduct a two-in-one clean and disinfection.

How Should You Clean and Disinfect Your Home?

Cleaning is when you use a water and detergent solution to physically remove bacteria, viruses, dirt, and grime from your home. A detergent is a type of surfactant that works with water to disintegrate grease and oil. It works with anything labelled as a detergent.

Disinfection is the process of killing microorganisms on surfaces with chemicals. Home Cleaning is necessary before disinfection because grime and dirt might impair the disinfectant’s effectiveness to kill bacteria.

Cleaning must begin with the cleanest surface and advance to the dirtier as time goes on. To prevent the risk of slipping and falling and the spread of bacteria and viruses via droplets, surfaces must be left as dry as possible after cleaning.

It is critical to clean a surface before disinfecting it, as grime and dirt can impair the capacity of disinfectants to kill bacteria. If the object hasn’t been cleaned with a detergent first, the sanitiser might not be able to destroy the virus.

The correct manner to use disinfectant is outlined on the package or in the manufacturer’s instructions. To be efficient at killing the Covid-19 virus, disinfectants take some time. If the product does not state a time, leave the disinfectant for 10 minutes before you remove it.

What Areas in Your Home do You Need to Clean and Disinfect?

Counters, tabletops, door handles, light switches, toilets, desks, taps, TV remotes, cupboard handles, kitchen surfaces, phones, and toys are all surfaces that need to be cleaned first. Irrespective of when they were last cleaned, all surfaces that are clearly dirty or have a spill must be cleaned immediately.

Surfaces that are often touched must be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis. At the very least, commonly touched surfaces in the house must be cleaned and disinfected once a day.

More regular cleaning and disinfection of commonly touched surfaces is recommended if you leave your home often. Routine disinfection, plus daily cleaning, might not be necessary if it is just you and your family members, and all of you don’t leave the house regularly.

Are There Any Areas You Need to Prioritize?

Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that are often touched must be prioritized. The items mentioned above need to be at the top of your cleaning checklist. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that are clearly filthy and used by many people in the house must also be prioritized.

The Best Products for Disinfecting and Cleaning Surfaces in Your Home

It is recommended to clean with warm water and detergent. Grease and filth are broken down, allowing the surface to be wiped clean. It works with anything labelled as a detergent. Disinfectants must only be used after the surface has been thoroughly cleaned.

Alcohol with a minimum concentration of 70%, chlorine bleach in a mixture of 1,000 parts per million, wipes and sprays, or oxygen bleach-containing quaternary ammonium compounds are all safe for use on hard surfaces in your house.

These chemicals are labelled as “disinfectants” on the container and have to be diluted or used according to the packaging’s directions to be effective.

If you’re going to use a store-bought disinfectant, look for one with antiviral activity, which means it can destroy viruses. This is generally noted on the product’s label. Alternatively, you can use diluted bleach. If you’re using a newly produced bleach solution, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions for dilution and application.

It is only going to work if you dilute it to the correct concentration. It’s essential to keep in mind that prediluted bleach solutions lose their potency over time and when exposed to sunshine.

Can You Make Your Own Disinfectant if All the Products Are Sold Out?

Store-bought disinfectants are approved by the government, so you can trust them to work. If you don’t have access to a store-bought disinfectant, you can make a disinfection solution with water and bleach. Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda), vinegar, aromatic oils, mouthwash, as well as a saline solution are not effective in killing COVID-19.

If you’re making a disinfectant solution, be careful with the chemicals you use because they can be harmful. Always read and obey the label’s directions and safety precautions. It is doubtful that the solution is going to be effective if it is not made and used according to the instructions.

How to Clean Your Cutlery, Linen, and Crockery

If the products may be washed, do so according to the manufacturer’s recommendations at the warmest temperature available. Completely dry the clothes. If you shake your filthy laundry, the infection may spread via the air.

Dishwash cutlery and dishes on the maximum setting in your dishwasher. If you don’t have access to a dishwasher, hand wash in soapy, hot water.

How to do Your Laundry

Use the hottest water setting possible and completely dry the objects. It’s okay to wash dirty laundry from someone who has been exposed to other people’s belongings.

Wear a mask and gloves while cleaning dirty laundry from a sick family member. Clean your laundry baskets or clothing hampers in accordance with surface cleaning instructions. After handling dirty laundry make sure you wash your hands.

How to Clean Softer Surfaces

Rugs, carpets, and curtains are examples of soft surfaces. Make sure to adhere to the following when cleaning them:

• Soft items must be cleaned with soap and water or detergents designed for these surfaces.
• If possible, wash the items in the hottest water setting possible and dry them completely.
• If necessary, disinfect with a product approved by the Department of Health
• Vacuum as you normally would. Wear a mask when vacuuming an area that has been occupied by a sick family member or someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.

How to Clean Electronics

To make cleaning easier, think about using a wipeable cover on electronics (such as tablets, phones, keyboards, touchscreens, and remote controllers).

Cleaning the electronic item should be done according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Use an approved disinfectant but bear in mind that several electronic items contain alcohol since it dries rapidly.

Tips for Using Chemical Detergents and Disinfectants Safely

• To guarantee effective and safe use, always follow the guidelines on the label of disinfection and cleaning products. Based on the guidelines on the product label, you might have to use personal protective equipment such as goggles, gloves, or glasses.
• Ensure you have enough ventilation (for instance, run fans and open windows).
• Only use the amount specified on the package.
• If diluting with water is required, use room temperature water (unless the label states otherwise).
• Diluted cleaning or disinfection solutions should be labelled.
• Keep chemicals out of the reach of children and pets when storing and using them.
• Mixing items or chemicals is not a good idea.
• Disinfection and cleaning products should not be consumed, inhaled, injected into your body, or applied directly to the skin since they might cause serious injury.
• Any surface disinfection and cleaning products should not be used to wipe or bathe persons or pets.
• People with asthma must be given special consideration. Asthma can be triggered by several disinfection and cleaning agents. 

The Bottom Line

Cleaning with soap or detergent-based household cleanser minimizes the number of bacteria and viruses on surfaces and lowers the risk of infection from those surfaces.

In most cases, cleaning alone is sufficient to eliminate the majority of germ particles from surfaces. Unless someone in your house is sick or if someone who tested positive for COVID-19 has been in your home in the last 24 hours, disinfection to decrease COVID-19 transmission at home is unlikely.

When and how should you clean your home’s areas?

• Clean high-touch surfaces on a regular basis or as required, especially if you have visitors.
• High-touch surfaces, such as tables, doorknobs, handles, phones, light switches, and worktops, are an ideal place to start.
• Clean other areas in your house as needed or when they are noticeably dirty. If members of your family are especially susceptible to COVID-19, clean them more regularly. You could also disinfect the area.
• Clean surfaces with a product that is appropriate for every surface, following the product label’s directions.

Disinfecting your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitiser or water and soap has been vital in preventing the spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19. There has been a vast focus in the media concerning disinfecting our businesses and homes. 

The virus can survive for hours or days on many surfaces, so it only makes sense that you need to disinfect these places regularly.

Most people don’t adequately disinfect commonly touch surfaces where the virus may be hiding, even though they exit and enter the automobile multiple throughout the day.

It is imperative to keep your vehicle clean to stop COVID-19 from spreading, especially if you’re a taxi company driver or rideshare driver.

The many types of surfaces and crevices plus openings make disinfecting an automobile a bit more challenging than Covid-19 cleaning a home.

Vehicle surfaces can also wear down if cleaned too often because those areas cannot withstand the constant onslaught of hardcore cleaning solutions.

Which Cleaning Detergent Is Safe for Car Sanitizing?

According to Work Safe Australia, some of the most effective products to kill the COVID-19 virus are alcohol solutions, disinfectant soap, and water. The alcohol solution should contain at least 70% Isopropyl alcohol, but 99% is recommended for full disinfecting effects.

Ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, and bleach are effective at killing the coronavirus but may discolour fabrics or cause damage to leather and upholstery. These chemicals are better suited for restaurants or commercial kitchen environments with sufficient ventilation. 

Be careful not to get any of the above chemicals on your skin, as they could burn or cause irritation. Using these chemicals in a well-ventilated area is crucial to avoid indoor air pollutants caused by using these products.

According to Work Safe Australia, natural products like vodka, Teatree oil, and vinegar have proven ineffective against the COVID-19 virus. When cleaning infotainment or other touch screens, take care and do not use aggressive cleaners. 

It would be best if you used a dampened soft cloth or screen wipes to perform a clean of any touch screen in your vehicle. Disinfecting and cleaning can be made easier plus safer if you place a wipeable cover on your automobile’s electronics!

Cleaning and Disinfecting Solutions

Automobiles are high traffic areas and require thorough cleaning to remain hygienic or sanitary. Remember, when cleaning your car, it’s vital to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to safeguard you from the virus.

This personal protective equipment must include safety eyewear to protect from chemical splashes and disposable gloves to keep hands clean. If you see any signs of visible contamination, you should wear a disposable apron while cleaning the car.

You must clean your vehicle immediately after an individual with a suspected or confirmed coronavirus case has been in it.

It is also good to note that disinfectants require sufficient contact time to kill the coronavirus effectively. You can read the manufacturer’s instructions on the label to learn more about the contact time. In most cases, if you leave the disinfectant on for 10 minutes, that should be enough to kill all traces of the virus.

Using Disinfectants Safely

There are a few rules to follow when cleaning your car with detergents or disinfectant solutions. If you don’t follow these rules, things may be catastrophic because of these solutions’ chemical reactions. 

Below are some basic guidelines to follow; these include but are not limited to:

• When cleaning with a damp cloth, spray it directly to make it wet and avoid generating a mist that you could potentially breathe in

• Do not mix two different types of disinfectant solutions

• Always wear PPE when using disinfectants or diluting products; that includes gloves (elbow length if possible) and eye protection

• Make sure that all disinfectants are stored securely and out of reach of children; these chemicals are hazardous and can cause sickness or death if ingested.

By following the above steps, you can be safe when cleaning your car or storing your disinfectants. Always perform best practices when dealing with the COVID-19 virus for the sake of your loved ones.

What You Need to Clean Your Car

It would be best if you gathered a few supplies in addition to the cleaning solutions required while you are preparing to disinfect your motor vehicle.

If you don’t have some of these items, you could swap them out for an alternative, although the main things you require are a disinfectant and personal protective equipment. 

 Below are some of the items required during an extensive COVID-19 car clean:

• Leather conditioner, if you have leather seats
• Glass/window cleaner for disinfecting glass surfaces
• Brush for scrubbing stains
• Disposable work clothes or gowns that can be washed immediately afterwards
• Bucket for mixing soap plus water
• Microfiber cloths for drying and cleaning
• Screen wipes
• Vacuum
• Mask
• Gloves

How to Sanitise a Vehicle

In this section, we discuss the steps to clean your car thoroughly. It is imperative to remember to keep your windows and doors open as some cleaning solutions may irritate the throat and eyes.

You should wear a face mask at all times to reduce the risk of potential virus exposure, chemical inhalation and to protect yourself from dust. Make sure to wash your hands and put on a disposable pair of gloves before cleaning the car.

Remove all the floors mats, shake them out, and then disinfect them with a disinfecting solution. The carpets can be left out to dry while you continue cleaning the rest of the car.

Next, perform a thorough automobile vacuum, removing debris and dirt from all the tiny crevices.

If you plan to clean the seat with a microfiber cloth, it is recommended to use a soapy solution to wipe down the upholstery or leather. Remember not to saturate the material, as it may lead to water seepage and later into a mould.

One of the best ways to deep clean a car’s interior upholstery is to use a steam cleaner if you can get your hands on one. Not only does this kind of cleaner kill the COVID-19 virus, but it also leaves your fabric seats looking brand new.

Next, dip your microfiber cloth in an Isopropyl solution and start cleaning all the high touch surfaces, such as levers, handles, knobs, and steering wheel.

Effectively killing the virus requires that the surface remain wet with the cleaner for several minutes. Be sure to use at least 70% Isopropyl when disinfecting areas inside your vehicle.

Once the automobile is disinfected, you can start by disinfecting the windows and mirrors. It’s good to note that traditional window cleaner does not kill the COVID-19 virus, so be sure to replace your conventional cleaner with an alcohol-based solution.

When your car clean is complete, make sure to clean any personal protective equipment and dispose of gloves used during the process. Immediately after disposing of the gloves, wash your hands for a minimum of 30 seconds.

Vehicle Cleaning Checklist

The vast spaces where germs lurk in a vehicle make it a breeding ground for viruses. Here is an extensive checklist so you don’t miss a spot where the coronavirus could be sitting.

• Windshield
• Cup holders
• Cell phone and GPS mounts
• Floor mats
• Seat adjustment handles
• Grab handles
• Infotainment and touch screen systems
• Moonroof, sunroof, and controls
• Buckles and seat belts
• Release lever and parking brake
• Buttons and dome light
• Seat upholstery
• Armrests
• Glove box
• Centre console controls
• HVAC vents
• Climate control unit and buttons on the radio
• Grab areas and trunk handle
• Dashboard
• Rear-view mirror
• Side windows
• Door panels and handles, including buttons
• All levers, including windshield wiper, light controls, and turn signal
• Start button or ignition area
• Key and remote
• Steering wheel

Cleaning your car depends on the areas mentioned above; you may be put at risk without washing these places.

Disposable of PPE or Cleaning of Materials

When cleaning personal protective equipment or reusable clothes, using the warmest possible setting with traditional washing detergent is vital. It’s important to not shake out the items before placing them in the wash, as this could spread the coronavirus and lead to you breathing it in.

Be sure to wear disposable gloves when you handle covers, PPE, and clothing that comes in contact with a potentially infected surface. When you have removed your disposable gloves, make sure to wash your hands for at least 30 seconds to avoid further contamination.

Non-washable PPE items, such as safety goggles, should be cleaned with detergent solutions, then disinfected and allowed to air dry. If there is any streak or residue build-up after cleaning these items, you should first let them dry and then wipe them clean with a soft cloth plus an Isopropyl solution.

Using a Professional Cleaning Service

If you don’t have all the required cleaning detergents to perform the task of eliminating COVID-19 from your vehicle, you could always take the automobile to a professional cleaning service.

These companies have the experience and knowledge of how to clean a car sufficiently and know what chemicals are best to use. 

Conclusion

Like cleaning the surfaces in your workplace and home or washing your hands, it’s crucial to sanitise your car to remain protected from the coronavirus; by maintaining a level of cleanliness in your automobile, you can prevent the spread of the virus and keep your family safe.

Soap and water are not effective for killing the virus, so remember to use a recommended disinfectant to clean your car. Be sure to use cleaning products that are safe for the interior of a vehicle but also strong enough to leave all surfaces coronavirus free.

With the information in this article, we hope you can complete the cleaning of your vehicle at home!

While the COVID-19 pandemic is slowly getting better thanks to the effort of medical professionals worldwide, we still have a long way to go until we can safely go out without having to worry about catching the virus.

Thankfully, we now have a lot of resources that allow us to take care of ourselves at home, at our workplace, and even if we go out. Following these measures can help us stay calm and safe during these uncertain times. For more information, you can also visit our website:

One of the most frequently asked questions is: “how do you clean and disinfect things for COVID-19?” Logically, hygiene is extremely important to take care of if you want to avoid the virus as much as possible. However, there are way too many online portals that give you information on that matter.

Safe Work Australia has given us a wide list of measures we can take to use Covid-19 cleaning and disinfecting cloths safely at our home or workplace. If you’re unsure of how to comply with standard cleaning and disinfecting guidelines in your area, keep reading this DIY guide!

Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting

First, it’s important for us to clear up the difference between cleaning and disinfecting. It may not seem like it, but a lot of people tend to confuse both terms.

Cleaning, in general, involves removing germs or dirt from particular surfaces, including clothes, tables, and others. Keep in mind that cleaning does lower the risk of the object spreading viruses, but it doesn’t kill them if they’re already there.

On the other hand, disinfecting involves using chemicals specifically designed to kill these bacteria.

According to Safe Work Australia, the primary infection method for COVID-19 is through contact with respiratory droplets, which happens when a person infected with the virus sneezes or coughs.

While you can avoid this by wearing your mask and applying social distancing, there’s still another way to get the virus if you’re not careful.

Overall, you can get infected with the COVID-19 virus if you touch a surface contaminated with the virus. Keep in mind that you’re not going to get the virus by touching that surface, but you can get it if you get your contaminated hand and touch your mouth, nose, or eyes. This is why it’s so important to wash your hands as frequently as possible.

Promoting a Healthier and Cleaner Space

Whether you’re at home or your office, one of the best ways to protect everyone from the risk of exposing themselves to the virus is to implement appropriate disinfecting and cleaning measures. If you combine both methods, you can most likely promote a healthier environment.

Workplaces and homes should be cleaned at least daily. Depending on the case, using detergent and water for routine cleaning is enough. However, you may sometimes need disinfection to assess the problem accurately.

Another thing that can influence your cleaning method is the likelihood of contaminated items in your space. Remember that the COVID-19 virus can survive on some particular surfaces for quite some time.

Using Cleaning and Disinfecting Solutions

You don’t need to worry about having to buy strange chemicals to protect yourself from the virus. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently published a list of some disinfectants that may be effective against the virus. 

However, you’re good to go as long as you use a disinfectant solution that contains at least one of the chemicals listed on the TGA’s list. Most people use a 2-in-1 detergent and disinfectant solution, so you may lookout for those.

With the exception of healthcare workplaces, you may use water and detergent for routine cleaning. Still, remember that this may not be enough to kill the virus.

In case you want to clean and disinfect your space after a suspected contamination case, you must ensure you’re wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

These pieces of equipment include safety eyewear and disposable gloves.

What Areas Should You Clean?

Generally speaking, you must clean any surface that is frequently touched by people. These surfaces include door handles, counters, tabletops, elevator buttons, desks, toilets, remotes, phones, and more. 

Moreover, any surface that has visible dirt on it must be cleaned immediately to avoid any future problems. As mentioned before, you must clean these surfaces at least once a day.

You must always prioritise those areas over less-frequented ones. While it’s important for you to clean everything, you must first go over the things you tend to touch the most during the day. It may surprise you how many things we touch while we’re at home or our office!

If you’re unsure of whether a surface is frequently touched or not, it’s always best to treat it as if it was and clean it right away. In case one of your surfaces hasn’t been touched in days, you don’t necessarily have to clean it during your routine cleaning jobs. Still, try your best to keep everything clean.

What Is the Right Product to Use?

As we mentioned several times throughout this page, detergent and water are good for cleaning. However, if you’re looking for a thorough disinfection process, you may need to use particular products, such as the ones from the TGA list.

Some disinfectants you may use on hard surfaces include alcohol with at least 70% of concentration, chlorine bleach in 1000-parts-per-million concentration, oxygen bleach, and others. If you go into a store, some disinfectants may claim to have ‘antiviral activity,’ meaning they kill viruses.

However, keep in mind that not all of those products can claim they can kill viruses. If you want to be sure, make sure you check the TGA’s list.

Some people try using sanitisers as a disinfectant. While sanitisers are chemicals that may kill some viruses or bacteria, they’re not as strong as disinfectants. If you’re looking to disinfect yourself, a sanitiser is a better option. Otherwise, go for a disinfectant for hard surfaces.

Try not to use extreme heat as a method to kill the virus. While it has been proven that heat can destroy COVID-19, it isn’t too practical to use.

Cleaning and Disinfecting General Hard Surfaces

Keep in mind that cleaning and disinfecting isn’t as hard as it may seem. As long as you have the right equipment and patience, you may get it over with in under a few minutes.

Generally speaking, you’re going to use a combination of damp dust and detergent to clean. Simply use the detergent solution to clean the surface thoroughly as you would with regular cleaning.

Once you’re done, and if you want to disinfect the area, use the disinfectant you bought and spray some into the surface you want to clean. You may then use a cloth to spread the disinfectant solution all over the surface.

Remember to prioritise frequently touched surfaces or items before going over other things. If you’re cleaning electronics, such as a microwave, make sure you use disinfectant only on the outside surfaces so that you don’t damage anything.

Disposing of Cleaning and Disinfecting Materials

Once you’re done cleaning and disinfecting everything you need, it’s critical for you to dispose of some of the things you used to clean. 

If you have any disposable cleaning materials, try to throw these away immediately. In the case of any personal protective equipment and covers, you must try to wash them in a regular cycle wash using a warm setting, if possible. 

Moreover, if you used reusable, non-washable eye protection, make sure you wipe it clean with a detergent solution and then cover it with disinfectant. Once you’re done, you may leave it to air dry. If there are any residues left, you may wait until the disinfectant has dried to use more detergent.

Here, you may use regular washing detergent. Try not to shake any of the washable items before throwing them into the washing machine.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Cloths

Logically, you may have used different cloths for cleaning your home or office. If you’re using items like disposable wipes, you must throw these away immediately. However, if you’re using washable and reusable cloths, the process is fairly simple.

As with PPE, you must put all of the cloths you used for cleaning in a washing machine. Try to use a regular cycle wash with the warmest setting possible. You may use regular washing detergent as well.

It’s vital to note that you must always wear disposable gloves before handling used cloths or any other protective equipment. Once you remove those gloves, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Cleaning Clothes

A lot of people don’t know what to do in terms of cleaning clothes. Keep in mind that’s it’s currently unclear how long the virus can survive on different fabric types. However, some clothing pieces have metal or plastic elements that may allow the virus to live for a few hours.

As with the process of dealing with used cloths, make sure to handle dirty clothes with disposable gloves and put all of those into a washing machine in the warmest setting possible. 

Make sure you’re not shaking dirty clothes before throwing them into the machine.

General Precautions While Cleaning

The following is a list of precautions everyone must take before cleaning and disinfecting areas, according to Safe Work Australia guidelines:

• If you’re cleaning on -or around- electrical equipment, make sure you isolate that equipment and turn off any power sources if possible. Remember you’re using liquids, so cleaning electronics while they’re on can cause some problems.

• Follow the detergent/disinfectant’s manufacturer usage instructions and recommendations.

• Get a copy of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for your cleaning/disinfectant solutions.

• Wear the right personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect yourself correctly in the process.

Bottom Line

As long as you take care of yourself and your environment, you’re likely to avoid the COVID-19 virus for the most part. If you’re looking to clean your surfaces yourself, make sure to follow all of the guidelines provided on this page!

COVID-19 has put a whole new emphasis on the importance of regular DIY cleaning for staff members in all kinds of facilities. More than two years since the virus first began taking over, people still find themselves facing restrictions, regulations, and limitations that stop them from living life to the fullest.

This only goes to show how strong the infectious power of the Corona Virus is, and how essential it is that we all take responsibility for keeping our places of work clean and safe for all those around us.

Here is a guide to DIY Covid-19 cleaning for retail outlets during COVID-19, featuring official advice and tips for maximum efficiency. Every retail space is different and may have other specific cleaning requirements, so please use this information as a base to build on when tackling the facilities in your own retail outlet.

Why Is It Essential to Properly Clean and Disinfect Retail Outlets During COVID-19?

Keeping any workplace or public area clean is always recommended for the general well-being of everyone involved. COVID-19 has only amplified those needs. Taking responsibility to keep your retail outlet clean and disinfected is essential in the fight against the ever-spreading virus.

Without proper cleaning and disinfecting, harmful bacteria can spread like wildfire without limitations. In somewhere like a busy retail outlet that can see hundreds (or more) of people in a day, it is all the more important.

Cross-contamination of unchecked germs is one of the main ways that any virus spreads, especially in commercial zones such as retail outlets. Daily DIY cleaning is one of the best ways to limit this risk.

What Is the Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting?

The cleaning process breaks down dirt and grime, removing physical germs and mess. It requires hot water and a detergent solution such as soap, washing liquid, floor cleaner, or a range of other products.

Disinfection is about killing bacteria that stay on the surface even after it is clean. To properly disinfect a surface, you need to use chemicals that meet the government standards for commercial COVID-19 cleaning.

10 Steps to DIY Retail Outlet COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting

Step One

Before starting your DIY cleaning routine, you should prepare yourself with the correct clothing and protective gear. It is recommended that people wear gloves and a mask before using any cleaning chemicals. In some cases, when you are using stronger solutions, protective eye gear is also a good idea.

Step Two

Start by wiping down all surfaces with detergent and hot water, starting with the cleanest ones and gradually working towards the dirtiest. It is essential to clean the grime and dirt from surfaces before disinfecting to maximize the efficiency of the chemicals.

Step Three

Ensure the surfaces are as dry as possible before moving on, especially floors. Busy retail outlets cannot afford to leave wet floors and counters while customers are around.

Step Four

Go over the surfaces once more, but this time using a disinfectant. Now that the dirt is gone, it should be able to take hold far more effectively. It is best to use a solution that meets the government standards for disinfectants in commercial properties.

Step Five

Using a damp cloth and detergent (not oversaturated), wipe all of the items that people touch. Some good examples include handrails, phones, handles, shopping trolleys, baskets, and dispensers.

Step Six

Dry and disinfect each of these items using a lower-grade disinfectant than you used on the floors and surfaces.

Step Seven

Take a disinfectant wipe to all registers, both staffed and un-staffed. Do this as regularly as possible, relative to the volume of clients in the store.

Step Eight

Make sure there are hand sanitisers in all the relevant areas. Replace any that are empty. The same applies to wipes if you provide these to customers.

Step Nine

Double-check that all signage relating to COVID-19 regulations and safety procedures is visible at all the most important touchpoints.

Step 10

Soak the cloths used in a fresh detergent and disinfectant solution mix, then put them somewhere to dry. Doing this helps keep your cleaning equipment in good condition and ensures no lingering bacteria are clinging to the material.

How Often Should a Retail Outlet be Cleaned during COVID-19?

At the very least, retail outlets should be cleaned daily during COVID-19. Any areas that have a lot of traffic through them and all surfaces that multiple people are likely to touch should be disinfected even more regularly if possible.

If you are DIY cleaning a retail outlet, you should prioritise certain areas above others to ensure those most at risk of contamination get the most attention. Floors, for example, do not need to be cleaned more than once per day in a retail outlet, but a service desk should receive regular attention whenever possible.

Here are some areas that should have priority in your DIY retail cleaning routine and an idea of how often you should disinfect them.

• Staffed checkout registers: Every staff member who uses the register should disinfect it and the area around it before they leave. When the next person starts their shift, they may also want to give it a brief wipe down.
• Self-checkout screens: If your store has touch screen self-checkouts, they should be a high priority. Perhaps consider leaving disinfectant wipes beside the screen for customers to clean the screen before and after use.
• Changing rooms and bathrooms: These shared facilities should be fully cleaned at disinfected at least once per shift (at the end of each day as a bare minimum). If your staff swap over in the afternoon or for the night shift, they need attention at the end of the first shift prior to the next rotation.
• Tables, countertops, and service desks: Any surface that comes into regular contact with multiple people should receive priority attention. Staff should disinfect as often as possible between busy spells.

Cleaning Equipment: What to Use and What to Avoid

You do not need specialist equipment to efficiently clean and disinfect a retail outlet by yourself. As long as you wear protective hand, mouth, and eye coverings, you can clean using everyday housekeeping items.

There are, however, some things you should not use:

• Pressured water or air (including canned aerosols and disinfectants): This type of cleaning is likely to disperse the virus rather than kill it. Ideally, you want to avoid anything that could blow the bacteria into the air as it leads to a higher chance of infection.
• Dry cloths: Wiping surfaces with a dry cloth is also likely to disturb and disperse the virus, and it doesn’t tackle bacteria. You should only use a dry cloth to wipe down a surface after it has been thoroughly disinfected and cleaned.
• Dusters: Again, dusters move dirt around- they do not clean it. Never dust the shelves or skirting in a retail space until after the disinfection process is complete.
• Disinfectant fogging: Contrary to popular belief, this is not a recommended solution for COVID-19. It is essentially a fumigation procedure, but it does not target germs that may be clinging to a surface. Fogging is particularly inconvenient in a retail outlet as it involves using potentially harmful chemicals that customers should not be exposed to.

The best solution is the most simple one- warm water, a damp cloth, and a strong disinfecting detergent solution.

DIY Disinfecting Solution

It is always best to use a professional disinfectant solution as they are specially designed to kill harmful bacteria such as the COVID-19 virus, but it is not always possible. If you are ever caught short on products or the shops do not have some in stock, you can make your own.

Bleach and water is the best solution. Other items that are often used in DIY cleaning products such as vinegar and baking soda are not suitable in this case as they do not kill the COVID-19 virus.

Dilute as follows for high-level disinfection. Please bear in mind that this is not recommended for most retail areas: one part bleach, 10 parts water.

In retail outlets, you only require mid-level disinfection for daily cleaning, which should be mixed as follows: one part bleach, 50 parts water.

A low-level disinfectant solution is suitable for COVID-19 retail outlet cleaning in certain areas with a minimal contamination risk. The balance should be one part bleach, 80 parts water-

What Extra Precautions Should Staff Take?

• Have hand sanitiser readily available for staff and customer use. Consider having someone stationed at checkout areas and entrances to ensure people use them. Disinfectant wipes provided on arrival are also a smart precaution.
• Managers can try to arrange their staff’s working patterns and daily routines to limit cross-contamination. At the checkouts, for example, it is wise to keep one person there for as long as possible without anybody else stepping in.
• Social distancing with customers and other staff members is essential, as are protective items such as masks and gloves, depending on the type of retail outlet they work in.
• Staff should limit unnecessary contact with surfaces. Make it a policy not to touch anything without cause.

Final Thoughts

Anybody who works in a retail outlet and is responsible for DIY cleaning should appreciate the importance of their tasks. Everyone should take responsibility for keeping their workplace clean and safe for their own sake and that of everyone around them.

Simple cleaning solutions are enough when combined with personal precautions. DIY cleaning in retail outlets during COVID-19 is essential to containing the virus and limiting its reach.

COVID-19 has had much of the world in its grips for the last two years, and many still find themselves in quarantine even now. Staff in medical centres know better than anyone how imperative the cleaning and disinfection process is to aid in the fight against the spread of disease.

DIY cleaning in medical centres involves more care and attention than most other commercial spaces, and it also involves more intense chemicals. This guide to cleaning a medical centre during COVID-19 covers all the steps to take, equipment to use, and precautions to take. For more information, Here is a guide to DIY Covid-19 deep cleaning services for medical centres during COVID-19.

Why Is It Essential to Properly Clean and Disinfect Medical Centres During COVID-19?

It has always been absolutely mandatory to keep medical centres clean and hygienic at all times. However, due to the highly infectious nature of the Coronavirus, extreme diligence is more important than ever before.

People go to medical centres for care and assistance. They are often unwell or in an at-risk category, a.k.a. more susceptible to infection and more likely to react badly. If people cannot go to a medical centre without catching a virus, there is very little hope of ever returning to normality.

Health care professionals and medical centre staff have a duty of care to everyone who comes in to provide them with a safe and clean environment. Taking charge of DIY cleaning routines is an excellent way to ensure that happens consistently.

What Is the Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting?

The cleaning process is about removing dirt and grime from a surface, clearing germs, and giving something a fresh appearance. Hot water and a detergent solution such as soap, washing liquid, or floor cleaner are required in these kinds of tasks.

Disinfection focuses on killing the bacteria that we cannot see, as it often stays on the surface even after it is clean. To efficiently disinfect a surface, you need to use chemicals that meet the government standards for medical cleaning.

The Essential Steps to Diy Medical Centre Covid-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting

Step One: Clean All Surfaces with Hot Water and Detergent

Always clean before you try to disinfect. Anti-bacterial solutions are more effective on surfaces free of dirt and grime. Hot water with a government-approved cleaning solution is all you need, even in a Medical Centre.

Be careful not to leave floors wet. Patients may slip and fall, which can be dangerous. Using a microfiber disposable mop pad is a hygienic and safe way to efficiently clean floors without leaving a lot of excess water.

Step Two: Pay Extra Attention to Communal-Use Objects

Once the main surfaces are clean, wipe down all the phones, clipboards, handles, railings, and anything else people touch throughout the day.

Step Three: Disinfect General Areas

Using a mid-strength solution (approved for medical use), go back over every surface and item to kill bacteria and limit the chances of the virus lingering. The list includes chairs, tables, doors, and just about anything that you come across.

Step Four: Tackle the Most Sensitive Areas

Medical centres have to pay extra attention in some areas, and they often require a more robust disinfectant. If you have an area that needs to be as sterilised as possible, use a suitable solution.

It is best to carry out the more rigorous tasks after the normal routine to avoid bringing dirt and bacteria in from other areas that have not yet been disinfected.

Step Five: Sterilise Tools

Sterilising is different from disinfecting and a must-do task for medical centre staff with or without COVID-19 present.

Step Six: Refill Sanitizers and Disposable Items

Never let a hand sanitiser bottle run empty and give people an opportunity to go without. Regularly check the levels and pre-empt a situation by refilling it before it finishes. The same applies to paper towels, hand soap, or masks if you provide them for patients.

How Often Should a Medical Centre Be Cleaned During Covid-19?

Medical centres must be deep cleaned every day, with some facilities requiring extra cleaning throughout the working hours. Places, where patients sit or lie down, must be disinfected between uses, as should all medical equipment.

The staff area should be cleaned after every shift, and any shared workspaces need to disinfect every time a new person comes to use them.

One of the most efficient systems to ensure this happens is to employ a policy where each staff member is responsible for wiping down and disinfecting their area before and after every shift. That way, nothing is missed.

A normal daily cleaning routine is a great base to work from, but it is really the bare minimum in a medical centre. Ideally, no patients should be coming into close contact with any items or surfaces that have not been at least cleaned with a disinfectant wipe every hour.

If a medical centre works in multiple staff shifts, all communal areas should be fully sanitised and disinfected before each new rotation.

Cleaning Equipment: What to Use and What to Avoid

Medical centres often have some pieces of specialist cleaning equipment, but you can DIY clean and disinfect most things using basic items. One thing that is of extra importance in medical centres is the cleanliness and hygiene of the cleaning tools themselves.

In areas that require the highest level of disinfection, it is worth using disposable cloths and wipes to keep the standards as high as possible. Other less sensitive areas may only require that all cloths, sponges, and towels are soaked in fresh disinfectant and boiled clean after each use.

There are, however, some things you should not use:

• Anything that may disperse the virus: Pressured water or air, including canned aerosols and disinfectants, actually do more to blow the virus around than to kill it. When infectious particles are airborne, they create a higher risk of contamination. Cleaning equipment that uses force to clean is not suitable for COVID-19 cleaning.
• Dry clothes and dusters: Wiping surfaces with a dry cloth or a duster only moves particles around. This is likely to disturb and disperse the virus and make it more difficult to contain. Only use a dry cloth to wipe down a surface after it has been thoroughly disinfected and cleaned.
• Disinfectant fogging: Contrary to popular belief, this is not an effective solution for COVID-19. It is essentially fumigation, but it does not target germs that may be clinging to a surface. Fogging is also potentially harmful to sick patients because of the high level of chemicals involved in the process.

The best solution is the most simple one- warm water, a damp cloth, and a strong disinfecting detergent solution.

DIY Disinfecting Solution

Ideally, medical centres should always have sufficient supplies of a government-approved disinfectant chemical solution to avoid running out.

If for whatever reason, there is a shortage and no way to get more on time to maintain the necessary standards, it is possible to make an effective mixture using simple materials.

The best DIY disinfecting solution is bleach and water. Natural chemical-free ingredients such as vinegar and baking soda that often appear in-home cleaning remedies are not suitable for COVID-19 cleaning in any facility. They are not effective against infectious bacteria.

Medical centres require different levels of disinfection in different areas. As such, the dilution level of bleach depends on where you are cleaning.

High-Level Disinfection

Areas that require the highest level of disinfection include patient beds, examination and treatment rooms, patient toilets, areas where a positive patient has been, and laboratories.

Basically, any environment where potentially sick people are vulnerable or test samples are handled must be treated with the utmost care.

In these areas, a dilution of one part bleach in 10 parts water is necessary. This type of solution is not necessary for general use and must be handled with gloves, a surgical mask, and eye protection.

Mid-Level Disinfection

Most non-treatment areas in a medical centre require a middle ground disinfectant. Waiting rooms, general use toilets, staff areas, service desks, and most equipment all fall under this section.

Dilute one part of bleach in 50 parts of water and continue to use protective gloves, mask, and eye gear.

Low-Level Disinfection

Generally speaking, every part of a medical centre requires at least a mid-strength disinfectant. However, it is always good to have a gentler solution for more regular use throughout the day that is less likely to irritate skin and eyes.

In this case, mix the bleach 1:80 with water.

What Extra Precautions Should Staff Take?

• Hand sanitisers and disinfectant wipes should be readily available for staff and customer use. At all touchpoints, patients and employees should be encouraged to use them. Some medical centres have even made it mandatory.
• Cross-contamination between staff should be kept to a minimum. The help desk receptionists should sit far apart and protective screens should be used for areas that patients approach.
• Protective items such as masks and gloves are extremely important in medical centres and must be worn by staff and patients at all times.
• Staff should limit unnecessary contact with surfaces. Make it a policy not to touch anything without cause.

Final Thoughts

Medical centres must be kept as sterile as possible at all times, especially during COVID-19 times. The people who require medical centres are often amongst the most at risk and need to rely on the safety of the facilities they use.

Implementing a meticulous DIY cleaning routine amongst the staff is an intelligent step towards controlling the spread of all infectious diseases, Corona or otherwise. Following a few basic rules and regular task rotas is the responsible thing to do.

Even though some COVID-19 restrictions have been decreasing, the pandemic isn’t over yet. Hence, we must keep protecting ourselves and the people around us.

An important part of most people’s routine is going to the gym. However, this is a place where germs are very easy to transmit. When we go to the gym, we sweat, and our breathing gets heavy.

That’s why we must make sure everything is as clean and disinfected as possible, especially all the machinery that is constantly being used. If you are looking for Covid deep cleaning services for your gyms. Here is a guide to DIY cleaning for your gym centres during COVID-19.

In this guide, we are going to learn how to clean and disinfect your gym following COVID-19’s biosafety procedures to make sure we all can go back to our regular lives as safely as possible.

Do Your Research

If you found this article, then you’re probably already doing this step. However, you should be investigating more and learning about all the new rules and recommendations made by doctors and hospitals.

That’s the only way you can make sure you know everything you need to know to properly clean your facilities and keep your customers safe.

Moreover, remember that every country’s jurisdiction over COVID-19 is different. You definitely don’t want to get in trouble with the authorities. Hence, we recommend you learn everything you need to know before considering reopening your gym.

Find the Proper Tools

If you want to keep your gym clean, the first step is finding the right tools to do it. There are several must-have tools that you need in order to make sure everything is as clean and sanitized as you want.

The first one is fitness equipment wipes. These specially designed wipes are powerful enough to clean up the sweat and bacteria from user to user. We encourage you to incorporate them into your gym and motivate your clients to use one every time they finish training on any equipment.

Other useful tools are gym spray bottles filled with an ammonia-based cleaning liquid. This solution can be used with fitness equipment wipes to double the effect and ensure all germs and dirt are completely gone for the next user.

If you’re going to clean a gym, another important supply to get is a high-strength anti-bacterial cleaner. You need to make sure to use this disinfectant at least once a day, or ideally twice, and deeply clean all your gym equipment. You must dry it well afterwards to prevent harming anyone’s health, as cleansers like this tend to be too strong for humans.

Paper towels are also a fantastic investment, as people can use those to wipe sweat from their bodies and clean the used equipment. Additionally, the disposable material is excellent for preventing germs from spreading to other surfaces. However, you are going to need to place several trash bins for your clients to throw the towels away once they’re done.

Nonetheless, for a deeper cleanse of your gym, you must find high filtration vacuums and floor scrubbers. These devices must be used once a day to powerfully clean your floors and carpets. They are useful for getting rid of all germs and ensuring your floors remain as good as new all the time.

Finally, the last tool you’re going to need is some convenient hand sanitiser. Dispensers should be placed throughout your gym for clients to use whenever they need to clean and prevent the spread of germs.

Train Your Employees

All your staff should be properly trained to make biosafety a priority at all times. They must know all the correct procedures for disinfecting the equipment and how to ensure the clients stay safe during their training. This includes using personal protective equipment or PPE during the cleaning process.

They also must keep in hand a safety data sheet with all the procedures that must happen if an accident occurs, as well as how to safely handle all the chemical solutions that are used when sanitizing your spaces.

Don’t forget about documenting all cleaning activities made throughout the day. This is the only way to ensure you’re cleaning your equipment often enough to protect your employees and clients.

Create a Daily Cleaning Schedule

This is an essential step, as you should do at least one or two deep cleanses to your gym and all your equipment every day. It is as easy as setting up a schedule with main tasks, easy steps to follow, and the people in charge of doing the cleanse that may or may not shift throughout the week.

You can also add a done/not done checklist and keep it somewhere visible to ensure every step gets checked out by the end of the day.

Clean the Equipment

Although you may not know it, there’s a difference between cleaning and disinfecting. First, we need to talk about cleaning. This is the process of physically eliminating any dirt and grime off the surfaces.

You can easily do this with water and soap or any other detergent that’s made to get rid of germs. In order to reduce the risk of cross-contamination, the cleaning must start on the cleanest surface of your gym and end on the dirtiest.

After you’re done cleaning, make sure that you also dry every surface to prepare it for the next step in this process.

Disinfect the Equipment

Now, we can jump onto the step that’s sure to make your establishment safe for everyone in it. Sanitising goes a bit further than just cleaning, as you use a chemical solution that’s meant to destroy the germs and bacteria from any surface.

However, the surface must be already clean and dry. Otherwise, the disinfectant isn’t going to kill all the bacteria. These elements take time to do their job.

That’s why you must let the solution rest on the desired surface for the amount of time specified on the packaging. If it doesn’t indicate a specific amount of time, leave it for 10 minutes and remove it with a damp cloth.

Dispose of Used Elements

After finishing the cleanse, you must safely get rid of all the used PPE and disposable elements. Gather all of them and place them in a plastic bag, then discard them in the general waste. If you have any reusable elements, they must be deeply cleansed and dried out before they’re able to be used again.

Set Rules for Customers

Finally, this is the step that’s going to ensure your gym remains clean throughout the day. Establishing a clear set of rules for your customers to follow is sure to prevent any accidents from happening and people from getting sick.

Some of the rules that we recommend are the use of masks and face shields while being in the establishment. Every client should also have their own towel to clean up their sweat after training.

Every piece of equipment should be wiped with disinfectant between uses, and the clients must wash their hands before and after working out. The use of masks should only be discarded if it causes more immediate hazards to the user, for example, respiratory or heart issues.

Extra Tips

If you still have doubts about how to clean your gym in the best way while following biosecurity norms, don’t worry. Keep reading and find out the best tips we could find about disinfecting gyms:

Disinfection and sanitation are two different terms. However, disinfection is a lot more aggressive than sanitation. Hence, it’s the most appropriate for gyms, as these are prolific environments for bacteria to grow.

Make sure the disinfectant you use is EPA-approved, and you follow these six simple steps when cleaning:

• Wash your hands
• Use PPE
• Clean everything
• Dry things up
• Dispose of your material
• Wash your hands again

Remember, these cleaning steps aren’t only for the gym cleaning equipment. They also apply to all areas and surfaces that are constantly being touched, such as doorknobs, light switches, cables, handles, etc.

Develop a Hazard Control Policy

Creating a hazard control policy in your gym is also sure to maintain everyone as safe as possible; some of the changes you can make for this to happen are:

You can change the position of the equipment in the gym for your clients to always be at the minimal distance accepted by biosafety norms. If moving the machinery isn’t an option, you can put up signs that dictate which ones are meant to be used.

Place physical barriers in all the places you can, preferably strip curtains or transparent shields. This is meant to create an extra layer of protection between all the people involved. Additionally, limit access to common areas where people usually gather and interact.

Use visual cues as signs for your clients to remember the rules, such as social distancing, using their masks, cleaning up after they’re done, etc. Moreover, make sure the gym is well ventilated at all times, keeping the humidity at 40%-60%.

The requirements for opening aquatic services are way different from gyms. Hence, remember to check them out if you’re planning on getting a pool for swimming classes.

However, we recommend that showers and dressing rooms remain with minimal use. Once everything starts going back to normal, you can start creating plans to determine when it is going to be necessary to reopen certain complicated areas such as child care services and lockers.

Bottom Line

Remember that safety is our number one priority, especially in difficult times like the ones the world is going through right now. Please, give special attention and dedicate enough time to the cleaning of your facilities.

People deserve to continue with their lives, but we can only do that if we learn how to properly care for others and ourselves.

Childcare centres have an admirable job, which is providing for early stimulation and education to our children. However, just like everyone else, these centres have had to close their doors for a long time during the pandemic, and finally, they’re able to make a comeback.

This article illustrates the correct way of commercial cleaning and disinfecting childcare centres following the COVID-19 biosafety regulations. Hopefully, after reading it, you’re able to continue creating secure and healthy environments for your clients and their kids. If you are looking for Covid-19 cleaning services for your childcare centres. Here we are sharing a DIY cleaning guide for your childcare centres during COVID-19.

However, keep in mind that regulations may change depending on your jurisdiction, and this guide isn’t meant to replace any local laws that your specific area might demand.

Preparation and Planning

With the new virus outbreak, everyone should be prepared for cases to spike up. This means stacking up disinfectants and all the needed materials for maintaining a sanitized environment.

Be sure to use EPA registered products for all your disinfecting activities. However, a widely known cleaning technique is using a solution of bleach and water to disinfect your surfaces. Sadly, not all types of bleach are suitable for this purpose; take a look at their differences among types:

• Regular bleach or chlorine bleach contains the right amount of sodium hypochlorite needed to act as a disinfectant
• Non-splash bleach contains a lower amount, and it would be ineffective to use as a disinfectant
• Colour-safe bleach uses hydrogen peroxide instead of sodium hypochlorite, which makes it unacceptable to use as a disinfectant

Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting

Although they are often used as interchangeable terms, they have key differences that are important to keep in mind when cleaning your facilities. Cleaning refers to physically removing the dirt and germs from a given surface using soap or detergent and water.

Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on a given surface to a level accepted by public health. On the other hand, disinfecting kills almost all germs on a given surface. These two methods are done through a chemical process.

Remember that you must always clean before doing any of the other chemical methods, as they can only act appropriately on surfaces that are 100% clean and dry.

When working with kids, we need to know the difference between the areas we must sanitize from those we must disinfect. Most areas that are going to be in direct contact with kids, such as mouthing toys, kitchen supplies, cribs, mattresses, even the floor, must be sanitized, not disinfected. The latter could be too hard for a kid’s system and cause intoxication.

On the other hand, surfaces that get in contact with bodily fluids like changing stations and training potties must be disinfected to eliminate all germs right away. Keep in mind that you might have to sanitize and disinfect your surfaces more or less often, depending on the pace at which they get dirty.

Use the Proper Disinfectant

In order to clean correctly, you and all of your staff must know everything about the disinfectants you’re using. Hence, we highly encourage you to read all labels and learn how your products work. Here are some recommendations when choosing the proper disinfectant for your daycare:

• Buy commercial-use labelled disinfectants, as those labelled “hospital-grade” can be toxic for kids
• Don’t use anything labelled as germicidal
• Refrain from using anything with the word danger or corrosive
• Do not mix chlorine bleach and ammonia
• Always check the labels to be sure about what products can and cannot be mixed

How to Clean Surfaces

Firstly, you must clean all dirty surfaces with water and detergent; you can use disposable wipes to ensure this is done constantly throughout the day.

Then, take your solution of five tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water and let it sit on your desired surface for at least 10 minutes before rinsing it out with water.

You can also use alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol and most EPA registered disinfectants. Make sure to check the expiration dates on all of your products and read the instructions to ensure you’re doing everything correctly.

If the surface you want to clean is soft, such as rugs, carpets, and drapes, remove any contamination that you can find and clean with any standard cleaning method. Then, launder the items with the warmest possible water and dry them thoroughly.

How to Clean Laundry

The first thing to consider is not to shake dirty laundry, as this would disperse all viruses into the air and further contaminate your surfaces. Then, you can proceed to wash them as you usually do. Afterwards, launder the fabric with the warmest possible water and dry them completely once you’re finished.

Don’t be scared of one piece of laundry contaminating the rest. Once they’re all washed and disinfected, you aren’t going to have anything to worry about. Make sure to disinfect any hampers you used to transport the laundry by following the steps listed on how to clean surfaces.

How to Clean Electronics

Our best recommendation is to use protective covers for all your electronics, as cleaning them is a very delicate process and must be done with extra care if you don’t want to damage them.

However, if it is too late and you already need to clean them, the next best thing you can do is to use alcohol wipes with at least 70% alcohol and carefully rub them on the surfaces and creases of your electronics.

Make sure they’re turned off and all the batteries are out to prevent any shortcuts from happening. Let them dry completely before using them again.

How to Clean Toys

One thing that you can do to make this process a lot easier is to separate them into two categories: cloth/stuffed toys and wood/plastic toys. Make sure to collect them as they get dirty throughout the day; since kids tend to suck on them and throw them around, these are the elements that get most dirty.

We can clean our toys in three different ways: by hand, in a dishwasher, and using a washing machine. Keep reading to find out the right way to do it.

Cleaning by Hand

The steps to clean toys by hand are usually the same we have used to clean the rest of our surfaces. First, we need to clean the toys by scrubbing away all the saliva, dirt, and germs on them with soap. Don’t even think about skipping this step, as it is the most important one.

Then, give them a nice rinse with water and dry them to eliminate any excess soap or germs that may remain on their surface. Finally, dip them in the disinfectant or chlorine solution for about 10 minutes. Please protect your hands with gloves while doing this.

After the disinfecting process is done, take the excess water off with a towel and allow them to dry overnight. Don’t worry about any chlorine residue, as it completely evaporates during the drying process.

Cleaning in a Dishwasher

On occasion, you have the option to wash hard toys in your dishwasher. This makes the process a lot more straightforward than washing them by hand, as you only need to set up the dishwasher with the recommended amount of detergent and run the toys through the whole wash and dry cycle.

Please, don’t wash your toys with any dirty dishes, as they could get contaminated or damaged during the cleanse.

Cleaning in a Washing Machine

On the other hand, you could use your washing machine for most of your soft toys. Although, you definitely should check the indications on the toy before doing anything.

If you can clean them in a washing machine, use any detergent and the hottest possible water. Afterwards, run them through a dryer, and you’re good to go.

Professional Protective Equipment

In order to perform any cleaning procedure or even handle the trash, all of your staff must wear appropriate PPE such as gloves, gowns, and a mask. These elements can be either disposable or reusable, but they must be compatible with all the detergents and disinfectants that are being used.

Every time that someone takes off their gloves, they must follow the following steps:

• Wet your hands with water and apply some soap
• Rub your hands together with soap and lather every surface and crevice
• Scrub for around 20 seconds, or the time it takes you to hum the Happy Birthday song twice from front to back
• Rinse with running water
• Dry thoroughly with a clean towel

Hand Hygiene

Every person on your staff should constantly be washing their hands with soap and water. If soap and water aren’t immediately available, hand sanitiser with at least 70% alcohol is acceptable.

However, this is only an option if the hands aren’t visibly dirty; if they are, they must be washed right away with soap and water.

Some of the instances where you should be washing your hands are:

• After taking your gloves off
• When directly touching a child’s face or bodily fluids
• Before cooking or eating
• After touching any animals
• Before any routine care for kids
• After coughing or sneezing

Bottom Line

Cleaning up your facilities and preparing yourself to work in these difficult times shouldn’t be something to stress about. Yes, you must educate yourself on the matter and make sure everything goes according to regulations. However, it becomes a lot easier and part of your routine once you know all of this.

Hopefully, this article helped you to better understand how we can begin to fight against COVID-19 by just being responsible and maintaining everything with cleanliness.

COVID-19 primarily spread in two ways, through close contact with an infected person and through contact with an infected surface. Contrary to popular belief, it is totally possible for a person to acquire the disease through direct contact with a surface or item that has the virus on it. And this is where Covid clean Sydney comes in. NSW Health recommends Covid deep clean as prevention of Covid spread. Safe Work Australia has a Covid cleaning checklist that can be followed to complete the Covid deep clean efficiently.

Effective professional COVID 19 cleaning services should be safe and reliable. Cleaning services should employ only trained professionals that know how to use the specialized equipment and cleaners needed for proper COVID 19 decontamination and prevention. Following complete health department cleaning requirements is essential to keeping businesses in Sydney open and virus-free.