What Are The Correct Steps To Disinfect A Surface?
What are the correct steps to take when disinfecting a surface? There are many questions to ask yourself about this process, and Mickey Crowe from CleanLink lists them out when answering a writer when he states, “What surface are you cleaning and disinfecting? Is it a touch point that may not evidence apparent soils, yet need to be cleaned first? Is the disinfectant a “cleaner/disinfectant” that is designed to perform both functions in one application? What is the recommended dwell time for the product to be effective? What does the label direct the worker to do? Does the disinfectant need to be removed after prescribed dwell time (example: toilet seat)? Is there a way of testing for contamination after the area has been cleaned/disinfected to verify efficacy? How was the worker trained and is he/she supervised closely enough to verify they are following prescribed guidance?”(Crowe www.cleanlink.com ).
These are a lot of questions to ask yourself, and for most people such as myself, I always want the easy resolution to a problem. To simplify this problem, you need to know the steps to take when disinfecting a surface.
Step #1 is knowing the difference between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects and sanitizing
Step #2 is to clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are often touched. Typically, this means daily sanitizing surfaces and objects that are frequently touched, such as desks, countertops, doorknobs, computer keyboards, hands-on learning items, faucet handles, phones, and toys.
Step #3 is to do routine cleaning and disinfecting naturally. Standard cleaning and disinfecting practices are sufficient to remove or kill them.
Step #4 is to clean and disinfect correctly meaning always to follow label directions on cleaning products and disinfectants.
Step #5 is to use products safely meaning to pay close attention to hazard warnings and directions on product labels.
Step #6 is to handle the waste properly.
If you follow all these steps, then you will be able to answer any question you may have on disinfecting surfaces.
References:
https://www.cleanlink.com/cleanlinkminute/details/Clean-First-Then-Disinfect–54082
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/cleaning.htm