The importance of disinfection and regular cleaning in industrial spaces

Regardless of what industry you’re in, commercial cleaning is a must. In fact, for most buildings in Calgary, industrial cleaning is legally required and adheres to a certain set of standards. These standards of quality are even more prevalent today, as the disinfection and cleaning of spaces have become crucial in the midst of a pandemic. It’s predicted that the level of cleaning will remain post-pandemic to ensure the safety of everyone who uses the space.

It’s important to know that cleaning and disinfecting are two different things. While cleaning surfaces removes dirt and grime, they may not necessarily be sanitary. Keep reading to learn more about properly cleaning and disinfecting your industrial space, what to disinfect, and how often.

The difference between cleaning and disinfecting

Cleaning is the removal of dirt and other matter on surfaces. It must always be the first step before disinfection. Cleaning can include vacuum, sweeping, mopping, and wiping down surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner. While a thorough cleaning can remove some germs, there may still be some that remain on surfaces.

The disinfection process destroys most microorganisms and germs that spread infection. This step should always be done after cleaning and involves the use of industry-standard disinfectant chemicals proven to kill germs and bacteria.

What to disinfect in your industrial space

Commercial and industrial spaces are large, and so disinfection of the entire space is not always practical. To ensure a healthy and safe environment for all, we recommend focusing on high-touch areas such as:

• Doorknobs
• Counters
• Desks
• Stair handles
• Elevator buttons
• Reception areas
• Entryways
• Restroom surfaces
• Kitchen surfaces
• Common area telephones
• Work surfaces and equipment

We recommend placing industrial hand cleaners in common areas and throughout the facility, as our hands are a big culprit for spreading germs.

How often to disinfect your industrial space

To ensure high-touch surfaces are free of disease-causing germs, we recommend disinfecting:

• Common areas twice a day
• Frequently touched surfaces or shared surfaces more often, to your discretion
• When surfaces are contaminated with bodily fluids or blood
• When it’s known that a sick staff member or customer has used the facilities

Follow these guidelines for proper sanitization:

• Clean the surface thoroughly with water and soap, or a multipurpose cleaner
• Rinse the area with warm water and dry with a towel
• Apply industry-grade disinfectant

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