Article

Health-based Hygienic Cleaning

By Peter J. Sheldon, Sr., CBSE

Health-based Hygienic Cleaning
By: Peter J. Sheldon Sr.
Vice President of Operations, Coverall Cleaning Concepts

Aseptic cleaning practices to control the spread of infection and eliminate cross-contamination have long been the cleaning standard in hospitals, where concern about the spread of infection is at its highest level. However, with growing pathogenic threats showing up in schools, gyms and non-residential healthcare environments, it has become clear that there is a significant need for this type of microbially focused cleaning to extend to all commercial facilities.

Health-based or hygienic cleaning in commercial facilities is a concept that has been receiving a lot of attention in recent months. In response to this growing need some progressive commercial cleaning and environmental service contractors are conducting research on specific processes and procedures that contribute to soil and microbe removal and the development of health-based or hygienic cleaning protocols. In turn, this is putting pressure on the commercial cleaning industry as a whole to increase its level of sophistication, transforming our cleaning technicians into environmental health professionals who can represent the first line of defense against the serious health risks affecting our communities.

Judging a facilities' level of cleanliness simply by aesthetic appearance is no longer the standard; a true health-based cleaning program provides a comprehensive cleaning system that focuses on cleaning at the unseen microbial level and whose results can be proven through measurable scientific tools. To accomplish this, companies are honing in on more advanced cleaning technology, such as color coded microfiber cleaning cloths and flat mops, hospital-grade disinfectants, "no-touch" restroom cleaning for complete soil removal, multi-filtration vacuums and scientific measurement tools such as ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) detection equipment.

The Importance of Proper Disinfectant Chemistry and Matter Removal

The first step to any effective health-based cleaning program must be the prudent use of proper disinfectant chemistry to kill harmful pathogenic organisms that lurk in the unseen world. While the practice of using disinfectants is nothing new, the cleaning industry is now asking the question? What happens to the remains of those microbial bodies once they have been killed? With traditional cleaning methods very few of those dead cells are actually removed and standard cleaning implements utilized by most janitor services simply spread them around which ultimately results in the build up of a rich food source for new growths of organisms once the disinfectant affect dissipates. Advanced tools and equipment focused on soil retention and removal have become as important as just killing existing pathogens. Microfiber cleaning cloths and mop pads, which are 99% more effective at soil and matter retention than traditional cleaning implements, have tiny fibers which make the fabric super absorbent and allows you to trap those dead microbes and contain them in their place of origin. These types of tools along with advanced equipment like the spray and vac "no touch" technology provide a platform for the removal of both visually apparent soils as well unseen microbes.

Color-Coding For Cross-Contamination

Taking health-based, hygienic cleaning a step further, some environmental service contractors have assumed a color-coded cleaning and training protocol for their environmental health professionals. New soil and matter capturing cleaning implements like microfiber cloths and flat mops are color coded by area and task type to avoid the dissemination of germs from one area to another and helping to minimize and eliminate cross-contamination. Rather then a few cloths or mops for an entire facility, several different cloths and mop pads are used, specifying colors designated for each areas of the environment. This method of cleaning ensures that soil and matter from one area will be contained in that area and will not be spread to other areas in the office or facility.

Tips to Employ a Health-Based Hygienic Cleaning Program

There are many components to a true and effective health based-cleaning program. Strict guidelines must be followed to ensure the health and safety of facilities' occupants and cleaning workers. The steps below outline some of the most crucial elements to a health-based/hygienic cleaning system:

Strict color coding methodology in all cleaning implements to avoid cross contamination
Microfiber technology in all cleaning cloths and mopping programs to increase soil and matter containment and removal.
Flat mopping technology to increase efficiency, improve soil removal and further eliminate cross-contamination.
Hospital grade disinfectant chemistry in all cleaning compounds.
Multi-filtration high efficiency vacuuming technology providing air filtering down to .3 microns.
Advanced soil and matter removal technology like spray and vac "no touch cleaning".
Proof of soil and matter removal through the use of measurable scientific tools.

Any facility manager wishing to evaluate whether their cleaning contractor is cleaning for health in their facility should look for the following specific elements in their systems and programs:

√ Each cleaning process in use should be designed for and focus on soil/matter containment and removal.

√ A neutral odor should exist throughout the facility post service but especially in the restrooms. There should be no foul odors indicating bacterial presence or heavy perfumes attempting to cover it up.

√ Proper and effective cleaning chemistry should be used, which includes hospital grade disinfectants on all high touch points. This chemistry is properly labeled and proper MSDS sheets are on site.

√ Housekeeping personnel are wearing proper personal protective equipment at all times.

√ Microfiber technology is in use to increase soil retention with an active color-coding system to reduce/eliminate cross contamination.

√ High efficiency, multi-filtration vacuums are in use, contributing to improved indoor air quality.

√ Hard surface flooring is being cleaned using color coded, microfiber flat mop technology with a single dip method being used to eliminate contamination of clean mop water.

√ Proper hand washing and glove changing protocol is being followed.

√ "No touch" spray and vac systems are used whenever possible.

√ Cleaning effectiveness is measured and proven through the use of scientific tools rather than aesthetic appearance.

Health-based/Hygienic cleaning is not a fad and should not be taken lightly. Growing pathogenic threats and the continued predictions of pandemic outbreaks by the scientific community demand that we prepare our communities with a defensive cleaning posture to help contain and minimize exposure and infection. Slowly but surely we are responding with increasingly sophisticated cleaning programs that are changing the way the commercial cleaning industry is viewed and received worldwide. As Environmental Service Professionals, we have the opportunity and responsibility to make a real impact on the health and welfare of our communities.

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About Peter J. Sheldon, Sr., CBSE

Peter Sheldon brings over 17 years of experience in the Building Services Contracting industry to his position as Vice President of Operations of Coverall Cleaning Concepts. As Vice President of Operations, Sheldon works closely with the Coverall Cleaning Concepts' sales force to spearhead initiatives that further the Company's strategic objectives and help the Company develop the most efficient cleaning processes available. In recent years, Sheldon has been fundamental in developing Coverall Cleaning Concepts' alliances with Procter & Gamble, Minuteman and Kaivac Cleaning Systems. Sheldon was also a key contributor to the Company's expansion into the Healthcare market and developed many of the processes that make the Company's dedicated Healthcare Cleaning System unique to Coverall Cleaning Concepts.

Sheldon is also involved with several industry organizations such as Building Services Contractors International, ASHES, International Executive Housekeepers Association, Cleaning Management and Maintenance Institute, International Franchise Association, and Building Owners and Managers Association. In 2007, Sheldon earned the high honor of being named a Certified Building Services Executive by the BSCAI. Sheldon is among an elite group of building service professionals to qualify for the CBSE designation, which recognizes individuals who meet the highest standards of the profession.