As the world changes, your workplace needs to change. Nowadays, this change is a demand to keep up with the highest standards of cleaning and sanitization in your workplace to ensure your employees safety. To support you in your effort to do this, we are providing you with an outline of infection-prevention protocols for your workplace’s safety and wellness. Here are some invaluable tips and tricks for your workplace.

Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitizing

The first thing you need to understand about workplace health and wellness is the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing. Although they are often used interchangeably, they are NOT the same. Here’s the difference between the 3 terms:

• Cleaning: removes visible dirt, soil, and debris. Surfaces will look clean; however, they will not be disinfected.
• Disinfecting: eliminates bacteria, fungi, and certain viruses, however, it does not remove dirt. This means surfaces will have dirt, debris, or other on it if not cleaned as well as disinfected.
• Sanitizing: reduces the number of germs on a surface to a safe level. However, it does not eliminate these germs completely.

Building an Effective Procedure

The best housekeeping procedures include steps that do all 3 steps outlined above. Ensuring that you purchase products that will perform each of these tasks is the most important part of your procedure, as well as knowing exactly how to use the product for best results. To do this, always check the instructions and follow the “wipe-thrice” method:

• CLEAN the area with a cleaning product
• Apply a sanitizer or disinfectant (allow to rest for recommended dwell time)
• Rinse the materials with a damp cloth

Types of Disinfectants

Disinfectants are the most important part of any housekeeping procedure. Here are the most common types of disinfectant products

• Quaternary ammonium compounds (QUATS)
• Hydrogen peroxide solutions
• Sodium hypochlorite
• Isopropyl and ethyl alcohol

Each of these products work differently on different surfaces so be sure to check which type works best on the surfaces that need hygienic maintenance.

Keep your workplace clean, disinfected, and sanitized–the ultimate maintenance routine–with this helpful, preliminary guideline. Click here to download the full guide to infection control in the workplace by Global Furniture Group. Although the chart on page 6 of this handy download gives you an idea of what you can use to clean your furniture, please refer to the manufacturer’s label for application, specific product detail and its use.

For more tips and tricks on maintaining a healthy workplace, keep referring to our blog. And for more information on furniture for socially distanced offices, call Harkel Office today to Get It Right: 905.417.5335.