The best way to make sure your areas are clean within your business or home are to clean and then disinfect. Make sure not to skip the initial cleaning, which is a very important step in the process. Cleaning involves scrubbing the area with soap and water - soap dissolves the virus’s fat membrane, while disinfecting is to kill any lingering germs by administering chemicals or UV light.
When disinfecting if you use a chemical agent, make sure to read the instructions, as it may need to sit for a certain length of time before wiping away. Also, don’t forget to wear gloves and make sure there is plenty of ventilation.
Studies have been shown that UV light’s sanitizing effects can be used against viruses, including coronaviruses. If disinfecting by UV light, make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for use as well, and never shine the light on the skin or eyes - our light has an automatic shutoff when turned upside down to prevent this. Make sure to never shine in anyone else’s eyes or on their skin either. Learn more about our disinfecting UV light here.
Frequently touched items like doorknobs, light switches, countertops, tables, touch screens, keyboards, desks, phones, faucets, toilets, sinks and handles will need to be disinfected most often.
For soft surfaces, it is still recommended to clean with soap and water or an appropriate cleanser for the surface and then launder with the warmest setting possible and dry completely. Or for these surfaces you can simply disinfect. Vacuuming regularly is also recommended on soft surfaces and carpets.
Electronics should be cleaned according to the manufacturer's directions. If there is no guidance, use a 70% alcohol-based cleaning agent and let dry completely or use a qualified UV light.
When cleaning any items handled by children, DO NOT apply any disinfectant chemicals unless guaranteed safe by the manufacturer, many disinfectant chemicals are toxic if swallowed.
Outdoor areas generally only need routine cleaning and disinfection is not necessary.
The coronavirus dies within hours or days on surfaces, depending on the surface, but cleaning and disinfecting are recommended over leaving surfaces untouched. Warmer temperatures and sunlight reduce the time the virus can survive on surfaces and objects.
Make sure to clean regularly on a schedule - see our recommendations of how often you should clean here.
An experienced cleaning staff is recommended to clean and disinfect spaces. The staff should be trained on the correct way to use equipment and cleaning agents, as well as use protective equipment such as gloves to clean all spaces.
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