In the age of Coronavirus, proper sanitation has become more important than ever. To keep your business safe, it is essential to know how to properly sanitize high-traffic touch points and surfaces. This is especially true if your space is frequented by a lot of people. With the right techniques, you can ensure that your space is clean and safe to inhabit. Crafting a sanitation plan that covers all touch points and surfaces is key to maintaining a clean and healthy environment. In this guide, we will discuss the best strategies for keeping high-traffic touch points and surfaces clean, including the use of disinfectants, protective barriers, and regular cleaning and maintenance. With the right practices, you can protect yourself and your visitors from germs and viruses.
What are high-traffic touch points and surfaces?
High-traffic touch points are surfaces that are easily touched and are areas for potential cross-contamination. They include door handles, toilet flushers, sinks, counters, office phones, electronics, and other items that regularly come into contact with people’s hands, skin, and mouths. Additionally, high-traffic areas are places where bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens are likely to accumulate and spread. These include communal spaces and entryways, as well as areas where food is prepared and consumed. Touch points and surfaces in these areas should be sanitized regularly to avoid the buildup and spread of germs. It is important to note that not all surfaces are equal when it comes to germs and cross-contamination. Surfaces that come into frequent contact with hands, such as door knobs and faucets, are especially high-risk. You should always make sure to sanitize these surfaces first.
Disinfectants and Protective Barriers
Disinfectants are chemical cleaners that are proven to be effective against certain types of germs. They also happen to be your best friend when it comes to proper sanitation. Disinfectants are frequently used in hospitals and other health care facilities. If you are cleaning a surface that comes into frequent contact with people, disinfectants are your best option for killing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. That said, not all disinfectants are created equal. When selecting a disinfectant for your space, it is important to choose one that is proven to be effective against the types of germs you expect to find. For example, bleach is a popular disinfectant. While it is effective against certain types of germs, it is not as effective against others, including the flu virus and norovirus. Because of this, it is not the best option for sanitizing high-risk areas where the flu virus or norovirus are likely to be found.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
As we’ve discussed, disinfectants are effective against certain types of germs. But to kill those germs, you have to apply the disinfectant to the surface and allow it to sit for a specified amount of time. This means that it takes more time to clean, and that your surfaces are temporarily unhygienic. The best way to clean and maintain proper sanitation is to first use a regular cleaning method, such as sweeping and vacuuming, to remove loose debris. You can then disinfect high-risk surfaces with a disinfectant and wipe down all other surfaces. This can be done in a single cleaning and maintenance visit.
Strategies for High-Traffic Areas
While cleaning and disinfecting are important, they are not enough to reduce the risk of cross-contamination in high-risk areas. To truly protect your space and your visitors, you need to create barriers between high-risk and low-risk zones. For example, you can use disposable gloves to create a barrier between your hands and a bathroom faucet. This way, you avoid transferring germs and bacteria from your hands to the faucet. Another way to protect your visitors and your space is to use footwear and disinfectant-treated mats in high-risk areas. This way, you are keeping the high-risk area separate from the rest of the space. In low-risk areas, it is important to use protective barriers, such as mats, that can be easily cleaned. This will allow you to keep the rest of the space clean and free of pathogens.
Tips for Proper Sanitation
When it comes to proper sanitation, it is important to remember that it is not just about cleaning. While regular cleaning and disinfecting is essential, it is also important to think about how you are cleaning and disinfecting. In high-risk areas, use disposable gloves and footwear that can be easily disposed of. This will allow you to avoid transferring germs and bacteria from one surface to another. To ensure that you are effectively sanitizing surfaces, clean them properly. When cleaning, use a cleaning solution that is proven to be effective against your target germs. When disinfecting, leave the surface wet long enough to kill the specified number of germs. And remember to clean in a way that reduces cross-contamination.
Conclusion
When it comes to proper sanitation, there is no single solution. It is important to identify your high-risk areas, select effective cleaning and disinfecting strategies for them, and implement protective barriers in your space. With the right practices, you can protect both your visitors and yourself from the spread of germs and viruses.