Consumers are disinfecting more than ever before; and in our efforts to create and maintain healthy environments, we are getting a lot of mixed messages. Knowing how and what to clean in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic is both confusing and scary. Your dollars and your health are on the line, so how do you separate truth from misinformation?
For 25 years, Carpet Tech has been at the forefront of the cleaning and disinfecting industry making science-based decisions to effectively serve our customers. Being an educated consumer empowers you to make the best decisions to keep your home and workplace safe, and Carpet Tech can help by being a resource. Take a look at these marketplace claims, and decide for yourself how to combat coronavirus and other harmful pathogens in your home or office.
CLAIM: ANTIMICROBIAL COATINGS KILL OR REPEL COVID-19 ON SURFACES FOR 90 DAYS OR MORE- GUARANTEED!
Anything GUARANTEED should create caution, especially when referring to an emerging virus like COVID-19. Many companies, including Carpet Tech, are offering an antimicrobial spray to treat disinfected surfaces in order to repel microbes after disinfection. This protectant can offer great peace of mind and help reduce re-contamination; however, there is no way to guarantee a germ-free surface for any amount of time.
Lab tests and the University of Arizona show that while antiviral coatings offer the advantage of rendering viruses noninfectious following contact with a treated surface, they are not meant to substitute for regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces. Study conclusions state that antimicrobial coatings could provide an additional means of protection in reducing the spread of coronavirus.
But consumers should note that not all antimicrobial sprays are the same. Be sure to ask how the impact of washing, wiping and applying chemicals on treated surfaces will impact the effectiveness of an antimicrobial shield as all products differ.
CLAIM: DISINFECTANTS KILL COVID-19
No disinfecting chemicals, at this time, may make a claim on their EPA-registered label that the product is proven effective at killing COVID-19. This is because COVID-19 is novel and actual testing has not occurred. Always check product Safety Data Sheets (SDS) from product formulators on any product a contractor is using for disinfecting. All major formulators have released statements and disclaimers on their products, and these are readily available for access on the formulator’s web site, or by contacting them directly.
Read Carpet Tech’s coronavirus Protocols here.
CLAIM: ANYONE CAN SPRAY, FOG, OR DISINFECT. NO TRAINING NECESSARY.
The CDC recommends a two-step process that begins with a cleaning of the surface first, followed by disinfection with an EPA Registered disinfectant with emerging virus kill claims.
Like any disaster or contamination situation, consumers should be educated on the products and services they are purchasing. Not all disinfecting products and methods are safe and reliable, and not all companies selling disinfecting services are properly trained to apply them.
Any company selling disinfecting services should hold a certification qualifying them by training and knowledge about appropriate product selection and application. Some examples in the restoration industry include the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA), or the Restoration Industry Association (RIA). Carpet Tech, a trained and certified bio-hazard company, can show proof of training and certification for disinfectant applications.
CLAIM: CLEANING AND DISINFECTING ARE THE SAME
According to the CDC, cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects, and disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects.
Carpet Tech follows the CDC recommendation of a “two-step” process.
Step One: Surfaces must be clean prior to disinfecting, because soiled surfaces can prevent contact between disinfecting agents and the virus itself, and reaction with surface soils can render a disinfectant inactive.
Step Two: Disinfect using a professional company like Carpet Tech. A certified and trained professional should use only EPA approved chemicals and application processes like spraying and fogging.
Before you hire a professional disinfecting company to treat coronavirus exposure and to ensure employee safety, knowing these facts is crucial.
TRUTH: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Based on CDC guidelines, Carpet Tech encourages and supports regular cleaning regimes and a strong focus on hand hygiene. In between routine cleaning or in the case of COVID-19 exposure, a professional bio-hazard clean up company like Carpet Tech should be consulted to clean
and disinfect properly and thoroughly.
Further, ask about ATP testing. ATP testing reveals the level of microbes on a surface both before and after proper cleaning and disinfecting, and can prove the effective cleanness of
your home or office.
Reliable coronavirus resources include locals and national government and health organization web sites.
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
Texas Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
Carpet Tech, a local cleaning and restoration company, has been serving residential and commercial customers for more than 25 years. Carpet Tech has grown by building relationships and serving our customers with excellence and integrity. As a biohazard clean up company, Carpet Tech has invested in COVID-19 cleanup and disinfection services and equipment to respond to disinfecting needs in our service areas. https://news.callcarpettech.com/disinfect-for-covid19
