UPDATED: 3/16/2020

We want all of you to know the steps we are taking during this coronavirus outbreak.  We have also added steps to protect yourself. Feel free to call us with any questions or concerns.

I know we are all sick of hearing the news about the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak. We are tired of hearing about the cancellations of school, sporting events, church services; etc. I’m sure a few of us are scratching our heads about the hoarding of toilet paper. However, I wanted to repost the initial email we sent to clients last week, and expand on it as the situation seems to have changed quite dramatically since we sent our initial email.

We have taken pains for years to keep from introducing pathogens into your home.  We have avoided being overly cautious and particularly have avoided the overuse of disinfectants, while always acknowledging that when and if they are truly necessary, they can be effective.  Studies have shown that wrongly diluted or improperly applied disinfectants can cause more problems than they prevent.

Cleaning Cloths

We will continue to use hospital-grade microfiber cloths as we have for years. Our microfiber cloths have been proven in 3rd party lab tests to remove 99.99% of pathogens from hard surfaces.  These cloths have a built-in bacteriostat. This prevents pathogens from growing in the used cloths.  Our mopheads are made of the same material.

All of our cloths and mopheads are washed with a sanitizing cycle which heats the wash water to 160 Degrees Fahrenheit to kill any remaining pathogens.  We also use color-coding in our microfibers and mop heads to prevent cross-contamination.

We do not bring dirty cloths from previous homes into yours. The cloths that come into your home are all clean, and cloths are separated in the car. Dirty cloths and clean cloths are not transported in the same bags.

Sponges

Scrub sponges are a concern since they provide a great environment to breed germs.  We solved this problem by not using them. We stopped purchasing scrub sponges altogether a couple of years ago.

Instead, we use a special microfiber cloth which is also color-coded with an added nylon scrubbing side. These are washed in the same sanitizing cycle as for all our microfibers.

Plans for a Tiered Approach

We don’t want to alarm others by panicking over this health alert. The plan is to take measured steps as events and health officials advise.  We will introduce further steps in tiers, in proportion to the severity and proximity of any local outbreaks. Any changes will be communicated directly to clients, and this post will be updated.

We are already cautioning our employees to wash their hands carefully at the beginning and close of each house cleaning and to use a disposable (paper) towel to be placed in a trash bag along with other trash being removed from the home.

Any clients and employees are to inform us if they, or a member of their household, are displaying symptoms or tests positive for the flu or virus.  We certainly understand if you need to cancel or a staff member has to call out due to these circumstances.  We ask your forbearance as together we all determine the best path forward.

The situation is rapidly evolving!

We are monitoring the situation daily. What we think we know today, may turn out to be incorrect with further experience and data. We will be adjusting our cleaning protocols to meet the latest information. Meanwhile, common sense and good hygiene will go a long way to keep us all safe.

 

So how can you protect yourself?

Hand Washing

The first line of defense against disease is hand washing. In the mid-1800s childbirth fever claimed many women’s lives. Joseph Lister (the namesake of Listerine) instructed his doctors and midwives to wash their hands between patients, and as a result, the incidence of childbirth fever was cut in half.

Washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the number one way to avoid catching a bug. You’re hearing this over and over, but it is essential. The “wet the hands and flick” method won’t do it.

Additionally, there is no evidence that using an antibacterial soap has any advantage over plain soap and water. It does have some disadvantages including a false sense of security when one does a cursory hand wash.

After washing, dry your hands with a clean paper towel if available. Avoid the hot-air driers in public bathrooms if at all possible. Washing your hands as soon as you come in the house will remove any germs before you touch things in your home.

Touch Points

As best we know now, the main way this virus spreads is from droplets in close person to person contact, (within 6 feet). The CDC feels that there is a much lower chance of catching this virus from touching surfaces that have been contaminated. Still, it is recommended to sanitize the areas of your home that are frequently touched on a regular basis. These include door handles, faucet handles, railings, and counters.

Of particular importance is the handle, in and out, of any door commonly used to enter the house. This is the first place any germs you may have picked up will be deposited. Disinfectant wipes are a good option here if you can find them. Follow label directions and use a fresh side for each doorknob or surface.

In a study at the University of Northern Arizona, they discovered that by the 3^rd doorknob with the same wipe they were adding rather than removing germs. If you can’t find wipes, you can spray a disinfectant solution onto a cloth or directly on the surface. Again, follow label directions, and test the surface you are sanitizing, some disinfectants are corrosive and can harm some surfaces.

Some disinfectants have a residual effect, but in general, the surface cleaned and sanitized is only sanitized until the next person touches it. Still, you’re reducing the overall germ load.

What disinfectants are effective against the novel coronavirus?

The novel coronavirus appears to be a fairly fragile virus. Most common disinfectants will be effective against it as long as label directions are followed. Check the label. It should say that it is effective against human coronaviruses.

The label may not claim effectiveness against the novel coronavirus since the virus is so new that most products have not undergone the testing the EPA requires to make a claim. The EPA reviews every word on a disinfectant label before approving the product.

Make sure to allow proper time for the product to be in contact with the surface to be sanitized or disinfected. Fortunately, at least for this case, it requires less contact time with the disinfectant to kill viruses than bacteria. Many disinfectants require as little as 1 minute for viruses and 5 or more for bacteria. Again, check the label and follow directions.

I am not normally a fan of heavy disinfectant use in residential cleaning, but these are not normal times. This is a time when you may want to step up the use of disinfectants and disinfectant cleaners, especially on frequently touched surfaces.

Most of the disinfectants are inactivated by organic matter, so clean the surface first if there is visible soil and then reapply the product. Make sure to keep the surface wet for the required time. If you are using a disinfectant on kitchen counters, make sure it is food safe. If you are unsure, rinse well after the proper dwell time has passed.

Some things that have been promoted as disinfectants aren’t. One vodka maker had to turn to social media to counter the rumor that their vodka would disinfect. The alcohol content was too low. Vinegar is often promoted as a disinfectant. It has disinfectant qualities because it is an acid, but is nowhere nearly effective enough to be considered a disinfectant.