How to Disinfect a Room/Both Air and Surfaces?
Cleaning and disinfection are elements of a comprehensive health program. Vaccination is the first line of defence against influenza (flu). Attendance at work is also advised.
Handwashing is recommended often. Here are some cleaning and disinfection methods to help reduce the spread of flu.
Distinguish between cleaning, disinfection, and sanitising
Cleaning eliminates bacteria, filth, and pollutants. Cleaning surfaces with soap (or detergent) and water removes bacteria and infectious diseases. This method does not definitely destroy bacteria, but it reduces their numbers and the likelihood of illness transmission.
It disinfects surfaces and items like door handles. Disinfecting uses chemicals to eliminate bacteria on touching surfaces. This method does not inherently clean or disinfect surfaces, but by destroying bacteria on a surface after cleaning, it reduces the risk of illness and may sometimes be visibly dirty.
Sanitizing cleaning products reduce the number of germs on surfaces or items to a safe level by routine cleaning. This method reduces the danger of infection transmission by cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or items.
Clean frequently handled surfaces and objects
Follow your usual cleaning and disinfection procedures like hospital-grade. Normal daily cleaning includes desks, counters, doorknobs, computer keyboards, hands-on learning materials, and toys. Some schools may require daily disinfection. Disinfecting certain school spaces, such as bathrooms is standard protocol.
Clean visible filthy surfaces and items immediately. Use gloves and other usual measures to avoid contact with dirty surfaces or items. Clean and disinfect the surface after the spill.
Do regular cleaning and disinfection
It’s critical to match your cleaning and disinfection methods to the bacteria you wish to eradicate. On average, flu viruses may survive and infect people for up to 48 hours after being deposited on a surface. To reduce the spread of flu, public places do not need to be closed. The public cannot function properly due to excessive absence due to a flu outbreak, thus extra cleaning and disinfection are not required.
Flu viruses are fragile and can be removed or killed by ordinary cleaning and disinfection procedures. Wiping off walls and ceilings, using deodorizers periodically, and fumigating is not essential or suggested. These processes can cause significant eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation, as well as asthma symptoms.
Cleaning and disinfection
Always read and follow cleaning and disinfection labels and use personal protective equipment. Wash surfaces to eradicate bacteria. Rinse with water and disinfect using an EPA-registered disinfectant. Check the label to see if the EPA has authorized the product for use against influenza A.
If a surface is not obviously unclean, use an EPA-registered product that cleans and disinfects (kills germs). Read the label guidelines carefully, since there may be a different technique for cleaning or disinfecting the product. For disinfection, the substance must stay on the surface for some time.
Disinfect frequently handled electrical devices like phones and PCs. Follow the instructions for using disinfectant wipes. It may need more than one wipe to keep the surface moist for the specified duration. Make sure the electronics can survive cleaning and disinfection with liquids.
Safe product use
Pay heed to product labels’ warnings and guidelines. Cleaning and disinfecting products typically require gloves or eye protection. Gloves should always be used while dealing with bleach solutions.
Never combine cleaners and disinfectants unless the labels say it’s okay. Certain product combinations (such as bleach and ammonia cleaners) might cause significant harm or death.
Ensure that cleaning employees, instructors, and anyone who uses cleaners and disinfectants read and understand all labels. This may necessitate bilingual educational materials and training.
Waste management
Wear gloves if you are waste handling regulations require it. Place no-touch trash containers easily accessible.
After usage, toss discarded cleaning goods in the garbage. Empty garbage bins without touching used tissues. After emptying wastebaskets and handling used tissues, wash your hands with soap and water.
Cleaning and disinfection safety
Experts believe that thorough cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces is critical to infection prevention. But manual washing and disinfection in hospitals are typically unsatisfactory. This is owing to the fact that many Environmental Services agencies have staffing concerns.
A lack of antimicrobial action of some disinfectants against healthcare-associated infections may also reduce disinfection effectiveness. Existing disinfectants like hydrogen peroxide-based liquid surface disinfectants can be replaced by improved products like electrolyzed water (hypochlorous acid) and cold atmospheric pressure plasma, which are also effective disinfectants.
The use of metals such as copper or silver to coat medical equipment, or applying liquid chemicals having permanent antibacterial action to surfaces, are other options worth investigating.
- gloves, surgical mask, eye protection, and face shield
- Hands should be washed with soap and water before and after protective gear use.
- Put gloves and masks in a leak-proof bag.
- Be sure to cover your entire body if you encounter respiratory secretions or other bodily fluid on surfaces.
- Ask anybody in a room you need to clean to wear a surgical mask.
- Safe use of chemical disinfectants
- To guarantee safe and efficient use of cleaning and disinfection solutions, always read the label. Depending on the product, you may need to wear gloves, goggles, or glasses.
- Prevent suffocate (for example, open windows and run fans).
- Use only the labelled amount.
- If diluting with water is required, use room temperature water (unless stated otherwise on the label).
- Identify diluted cleaning or disinfecting solutions.
- Keep chemicals away from children and pets.
- Don’t combine chemicals.
- Cleaning and disinfection agents can cause significant injury if eaten, drank, inhaled, or applied directly to the skin.
- Never clean or disinfect people or pets.
Asthmatics should be given special consideration. Some cleaning and disinfecting agents might cause asthma symptoms. Learn how to disinfect to avoid COVID-19 without triggering an asthma attack.
