There’s a lot of information out there right now. How do you know what you’re getting from a sanitizing or disinfecting service? Here’s what you need to know:
Know the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing
The differences are nuanced, but they are important. And you need to know them before you choose a treatment for your home or business.
Cleaning removes dirt, grease, and grime from surfaces or objects by using soap, detergent, or other cleaning agents to physically remove debris from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs.
Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or regulations. It works by either cleaning or disinfecting, or a combination of both, to lower the risk of pathogen exposure.
Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects using specific chemicals designed to kill pathogens. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it greatly lowers the risk of spreading infection.
It may seem confusing, but at the end of the day – you can, and should, clean. Nowadays, cleaning just isn’t enough, but you should leave the disinfecting to the professionals. Make sure you are choosing a company that is not just cleaning.
Know what kind of product is being used
Here’s some important questions to ask about the product being used.
Is the product listed on the EPA’s “List N”?
This is an important one. If the product is listed on the EPA’s “List N” of disinfectants, it meets their criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the causal agent of Covid-19. Obviously, that’s a very important distinction.
How effective is the product?
What’s the efficacy rate? Does it kill 99.99% of important pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses? Some products, like the one used in the Western PurClean™ service, kills 99.99% of almost 50 pathogens listed on the product label including H1N1 Swine Flu and other pathogenic microbes on hard, porous surfaces. Included in those 50 is SARS-CoV-2, the causal agent of Covid-19. If the service you’re considering is not using a product like that – you’re getting short changed. And don’t believe it if it says it will kill 100% or that it will continuously kill the coronavirus. These can be misleading statements.
What strategy is being used?
Even if the product is the same, the strategy and method used to treat the area can make all the difference. Are they just spraying surfaces or does the program include wiping down high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and light switches? If they aren’t wiping these locations, then there is a greater chance that pathogens can be there when the next person touches them. Doing both wipe down and misting takes longer, but it is the only way to effectively treat.
Is the product dangerous to people and animals?
This is just as important as the efficacy rate. For the safety of you and anyone important to you – including your pets – be sure the company you choose is using a product that is defined by the EPA as “practically non-toxic and not an irritant” while still being highly effective when killing microbial pathogens. And if you have a kitchen in the treatment area, it should also be rated “no rinse required on food contact surfaces” (category D2) by NSF International: meaning it is approved for use in commercial or residential kitchens without the need to wash/rinse the area with water after it’s applied. And all the better if it contains no ozone-harming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and is mild on skin, hard surfaces, and fabrics alike.
Can you find all of this at once: a product with a high effectiveness combined with low risks? Western PurClean™ checks all those boxes.
Whether your business is closed and you’re looking to reopen soon, you just want a clean slate (no pun intended), or you want your home to be your safe zone, contact Western Pest Services today. We can come out and perform a Western PurClean™ treatment as soon as possible.