TIPS
Cleanlink News 10/25/2010
Seven Tips to Slow the Spread of Flu
Although the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says vaccination is the first line of defense against infectious diseases and influenza (flu), cleaning and disinfecting also play a pivotal role. To educate custodial departments on proper cleaning techniques, the CDC outlined seven tips that will help slow the spread of flu.
1. Know the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing.
Cleaning removes germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces or objects. Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements.
2. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often.
This means daily sanitizing of surfaces and objects that are touched often, such as desks, countertops, doorknobs, computer keyboards, hands-on learning items, faucet handles and phones.
3. Simply do routine cleaning and disinfecting.
It's important to match your cleaning and disinfecting activities to the types of germs you want to remove or kill. Flu viruses are relatively fragile, so standard cleaning and disinfecting practices are sufficient to remove or kill them.
4. Clean and disinfect correctly.
Always follow label directions on cleaning products and disinfectants.
5. Simply do routine cleaning and disinfecting.
Ensure that the custodial staff who use cleaners and disinfectants read and understand all instruction labels and understand safe and appropriate use. This might require that instructional materials and training be provided in other languages.
6. Handle waste properly.
Follow your school's standard procedures for handling waste, which may include wearing gloves.
7. Learn more.
The CDC offers a number of resources for additional information.
A Restroom Cleaning Guide: 12 Steps
1. Check supply cart for proper equipment and supplies
2. Clean the exterior of all dispensers and re-stock supplies: paper towels, toilet tissue dispensers and hand soap dispensers.
3. Remove trash from all waste receptacles. Clean receptacles with a sanitizer cleaner. Replace liners.
4. Dust mop or sweep the floor picking up collected debris with a dustpan.
5. Clean all sinks using a sanitizer cleaner and abrasive sponge. Allow the cleaner to remain on surfaces according to manufacturer’s suggested dwell time.
6. Clean all mirrors.
7. Clean and sanitize toilets and/or urinals. Remove urinal screens and using the bowl swab, push water level down.
8. Clean stall partitions and walls as needed with disinfectant cleaner.
9. Scrub the inside of the bowls and urinals with a bowl swab. Use an abrasive sponge for difficult soils. Clean the exterior of the bowls and urinals with a disinfectant cleaner. Clean both sides of the toilet seat. Clean the walls around the bowls or urinals with disinfectant cleaner. Flush bowls and urinals. Polish all chrome surfaces with a dry cloth (after cleaning with sanitizer cleaner).
10. Clean both sides of restroom doors with a sanitizing cleaner, paying special attention to clean hand contact areas.
11. Scrub the floor with a sanitizer cleaner using a wet mop, bucket and wringer. If needed, scrub floor grout with a tile and grout brush. Rinse with clear water. Squeegee or vacuum up water, if necessary.
12. Inspect your work. If you are satisfied with your work, allow the floor to dry and re-open the restroom. Return cart to supply are and restock.
Additional Tips:
Make sure sanitizing and disinfecting solutions are prepared and used properly and remix as required.
Frequently clean surfaces that hands touch to eliminate the spread of germs (i.e. door knobs, light switches, handles, etc.)
Frequently eliminate moisture.
Keep floors dry to eliminate slips and falls, the buildup of bacteria, mold, and mildew.
Use large trashcans to minimize overflow and reduce the frequency for policing the area.
Clean from high to low, towards the doorway, and do dry work before wet work.
NEVER MIX PRODUCTS