What's the Difference Among Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting?

 

Not all tasks are designed fair and square. It doesn’t matter if you are keeping up a residence, school, hospital, office, or any other facility—cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting are crucial parts of your maintenance's daily time schedule. 

Keeping your facility clean, sanitized and disinfected will lessen the dispersion of illness and improve your facility’s entire appearance. While some procedures might seem interchangeable, there are apparently some dominant distinctions among cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting your establishments in South Carolina.

•  Cleaning 

It is used to eliminate dirt, allergens and microscopic organisms from a surface and is typically completed with a cloth or wipe in association with a detergent, soap or solvent. Cleaning reduces the number of microbes that can cause infection; however, it does not completely kill any bacteria.

 

Cleaning products can possibly discard germs from surfaces, along with dirt and other organic materials, but the target of cleaning is about the look and feel.

 

While cleaners will allow your surfaces to appear nice and shiny, there are some specific places at home such as kitchen counters, faucet handles, and doorknobs where you may wish to follow up your cleaning with an availability of a sanitizer or a disinfectant. As mentioned earlier, cleaning by itself won’t totally kill germs such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

 

• Sanitizing

Sanitation kills a greater quantity of bacteria and is mandatory for any surface that comes into contact with food. The Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) definition stated that, a sanitizer is “a chemical that kills 99.999% of the specific test bacteria in 30 seconds under the conditions of the test." Sanitizers can kill the majority of different kinds of bacteria, sanitation tools and products, completely alone cannot get rid all viruses.

 

Several product manufacturing companies and agencies utilize the word “sanitizing” to refer to a solution or device that reduces the amount of germs on a surface by 99.9 percent or more—a level that’s considered safe by public health standards.

 

• Disinfecting

Disinfecting a surface genuinely means that chemicals are being utilized to wipe out germs. It does not necessarily mean that dirt, germs, and impurities are being expelled from the surface, but by killing the germs, the danger of spreading infection is dropped.

 

The key difference between sanitizing and disinfecting is the type of chemical included and the longevity of time it is left on a certain surface. For many available disinfectants, 10 minutes is the right dwell time. However, be sure to read and understand instructions carefully on the chemical product to ensure a proper disinfection process.

 

Despite the fact that reducing germs is vital in any facility, variety of facilities will mandate different cleaning products and procedures depending on the frequency, surfaces, and cleaning requirements and expectations of the business.

 

In the midst of this pandemic, probably in the near future all over the States, including South Carolina, there would be imposed mandates on hygienic and sanitizing protocols for security and health reasons. Thus, knowing the proper and right regimen of all techniques and methods, from cleaning to sanitizing and disinfecting, is a must.

 

Cleaning company Saluda SC, commercial cleaning in Saluda SC, and commercial cleaning services in Saluda SC under ServiceMaster of the Upstate is one of South Carolina’s leading restoration services. We can help you develop an effective cleaning program and recommend the best products, processes, and training for your facility and budget.

 

Service Master of the Upstate restores water, fire, and mold-damaged properties for the commercial, residential, and insurance market.

We offer restoration services for:

• water damage
• fire damage
• mold remediation
• flood damage

Cleaning services include carpet cleaning, hardwood floor cleaning, hoarder cleanup, sewer backup cleanup, tile grout cleanup, and upholstery cleaning. Commercial restoration and cleaning services are also available for water damage, fire damage, mold remediation, and carpet cleaning.

 

Our 24/7 emergency vehicles are ready to respond to any water damage emergency in Greenville, Saluda, Spartanburg, Newberry, and Laurens, South Carolina and surrounding areas with a moment’s notice.

 

Call ServiceMaster of the Upstate at (864) 310-7891 for a 24-hour emergency service in South Carolina. We are serving Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Newberry, Saluda, and surrounding areas and counties.

Top Tips for Hurricane Safety during the COVID-19 Pandemic

As based on the predictions of Colorado State University experts, there are sixteen named storms, including eight hurricanes, forecasted for 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. Four of these hurricanes will be major storms Category 3 to 5, having sustained winds of at least 111 mph, which will possibly pass through South Carolina.

 

While South Carolinians prepare annually for Atlantic coast hurricanes, this COVID-19 pandemic has raged its devastation so suddenly that we begin to question uncertainties about handling both crises. Without preventives measures and proper planning, such frightening threats can spell a total disaster.  

 

Uncertainty and doubting questions linger in our minds, like what would happen if we our house gets flooded and how can we cope with the COVID-19 situation at the same time? If we are forced to evacuate, how can we protect ourselves from COVID-19 infection? Check out some of our hurricane safety tips below, despite having a COVID-19 pandemic at the moment:

 

Before the storm.

Review your anti-hurricane checklist last year, make an inventory if you still have stocks, and finalize your list. 

Prioritize buying emergency stocked supplies:

• matches 
• water
• food
• first aid supplies
• extra batteries
• emergency kit items

Make sure you have items for COVID-19:

• masks
• plastic gloves 
• hand sanitizers
• alcohol
• water with liquid or bar soaps 
• medicines for bodily sustenance and strengthening of the immune system

Remember, when purchasing these items, the earlier, the better, because the supply chain is already narrow and hoarding of these items has already started.  

 

Coordinate with local officials about the latest evacuation plans and protocols before a hurricane strikes. Familiarize yourself with the location of the nearest shelters and map routes, and how to get there from your home. While the quarantine is in place, study the details and other information related to the evacuation for now; it is best to be prepared in advance.  

 

During the storm.

Keep track of the presence of the storm, listen to your portable radio or mobile apps updater for its location, or call your relatives or friends who are near your area for updates. If your zone needs to evacuate, do so while following the prepared evacuation plan. 

Just do not forget to follow state and federal guidelines on COVID-19, like social distancing and the use of facial masks. If told to stay in place, stay inside your house and go to a safe area like a closet or a downstairs bathroom. Do not forget to turn off your electrical system and appliances for precautionary measures against floods and power outages.    

 

After the storm.

Before going out, wait for the updated advisories until an official “all clear” is given. Most people rely on mobile phones, but when large storms come cellular services often get knocked out, so have a back-up plan in getting the latest updates.  

 

In case you need to go to disaster shelters, follow up to date CDC advisories and recommendations. Follow social distancing rules, staying away at least 6 feet or about 2 arms length from others. Be aware of the people in your surroundings, and avoid people who you suspect to be sick to protect your health against contamination.  

 

Additionally, follow these CoVid-19 reminders:

·  Use face masks.

·  Practice social distancing.

·  Sanitize your surroundings.

·  Practicing proper hand hygiene is always a must.

·  Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. 

·  Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands. Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes if your hands are dirty. 

·  Keep healthy habits like eating healthy food and getting enough rest to avoid getting sick. 

· Always stay informed and follow health and safety guidelines from authorities.

 

Sad to say, even if there is no storm, with COVID-19 pandemic in place the responders and volunteers are in short supply. Clean-up resources, contractors and supplies have been reduced. Moreover, insurance companies and FEMA are spread thin. The best advice for such unknown situations is to put extra vigilance and be always resilient of the situation at hand.

 

Lastly, after the passing of the storm, use your mobile phone and take pictures of the storm aftermath. It will be useful for the next hurricane preparation and can be used for insurance purposes if needed. It is important to check the inside and outside of your home for any water damages. Water damages could be in every nook and cranny of your rooms. Once found, immediately remedy the situation, as it is much easier to prevent the water damages from getting worse.    

 

Water damages cannot be prevented after every storm. If left untreated, even if it is just minimal, water damage can lead to bacteria and mold build-up which will seriously affect the health of your family and can cause possible damage to property if it becomes too severe. That is why it is important to immediately repair or fix the affected area to prevent more damages, costly repairs and even endanger the health of your family. 

 

Probably, if the damage is minimal, you can have it as your DIY project. However, if you are not sure how to do it, it is best to hire the professionals immediately.  Let ServiceMaster of the Upstate, your water damage restoration company Laurens and water damage restoration services in Laurens SC help you with your water damages, flood damages, mold remediation, and other after-hurricane cleaning  services like carpet cleaning, hardwood floor cleaning, hoarder cleanup, sewer backup cleanup, tile and grout cleanup, and upholstery cleaning. 

 

ServiceMaster of the Upstate, your water damage restoration company Laurens, is one of South Carolina’s leading restoration companies. We restore water, fire, and mold damaged properties for the commercial and residential properties and the insurance market.

 

Our 24/7 emergency vehicles are ready to respond to any water damage emergency in Greenville, Saluda, Spartanburg, Newberry, and Laurens, South Carolina and surrounding areas with a moment’s notice. We can extract water, dry carpets, walls, and structure. Our claims team will handle the insurance claim from start to finish and update all parties involved. You can be sure there will be no surprises in this process.

 

Call ServiceMaster of the Upstate at (864) 310-7891 for a 24-hour emergency service in South Carolina. We are serving Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Newberry, Saluda and and surrounding areas and counties.

When to Call a Trauma Cleanup Service in Greenville, South Carolina

When you’re left to cope with a traumatic event, your mind may be clouded and you may feel overwhelmed. You may want to do whatever it takes to clean up the mess as quickly as possible, or you may feel confused and don’t know where to begin. 

Trauma cleanup isn’t just messy to deal with. It can be dangerous as well if the property is not properly remediated. Bacteria and some organisms might lurk around the corner and can pose a serious threat to you and your family’s health.

As a general rule of thumb, if you’re faced with a trauma cleanup in Greenville, SC, it’s better to call on a trusted biohazard cleanup company in Greenville to help. These companies are specifically trained and equipped to thoroughly and safely handle these kinds of situations. 

What Counts as “Trauma”?

When is the appropriate time to call for professional trauma cleanup?

Trauma cleanup services typically include these circumstances:

• Suicide or homicide

The loss of a loved one by suicide is a deeply painful and shocking experience. Often after police, firefighters, and paramedics leave the scene, there is a cleanup required and there is no need for the family or friends of the person to be further overwhelmed with trying to figure out how to clean the impacted area. It’s better to call a trauma cleanup company right away.

• Unattended deaths

Bodies decompose at a rapid speed, especially in warm and humid climates, which leads to a dangerous release of body fluids and gases. Don't ever feel like you need to be the one to clean the area - this can be an emotionally stressful process as well as dangerous if done incorrectly. That’s why you need a biohazard cleanup in Greenville, SC.

• Blood spills

Blood can carry diseases. Infectious diseases like hepatitis, HIV, and other bloodborne pathogens can spread and can infect anyone who is exposed. Blood spills can pose a major safety hazard that can result in disease outbreaks if not handled by certified biohazard technicians.

• Industrial accidents

Accidents can happen in your workplace. When this happens, the cleaning requires special equipment and cleaning agents, both for protection and thorough disinfection. Using hospital-grade disinfectant tests, cleanup technicians have the tools, training and experience to make sure there are no lingering health threats to you and your employees.

• Tear gas Removal and Cleanup

Tear gas is rarely fatal, but its health risks are numerous, as the toxic substance leaves behind a hazardous residue that coats everything exposed to it. If not quickly decontaminated, it can cause skin irritation and sometimes more serious ailments like respiratory problems, motor control loss, heart, and liver damage. Professional biohazard cleanup is needed for this.

• Feces/Urine Cleanup

Human and animal feces/urine are biohazardous waste and sanitizing a home or business that has been exposed to these materials requires expert help from a biohazard cleanup company. Professional treatment is necessary because feces/urine can cause illnesses and even spread viruses if not handled by professionals. Bodily fluids like blood and vomit also need professional cleaning.

Hepatitis A, E. coli, rotovirus, and norovirus are some of the diseases and pathogens you can get from these biohazardous waste.

• Medical Waste Disposal

Medical waste needs to be critically handled by a biohazard cleanup company. If not, this could spread infectious diseases. Examples of facilities that have this kind of waste are from medical examiners' offices, hospitals, dental offices, and nursing homes.

Biohazard situations present safety and compliance challenges that in-house janitorial crews are likely not qualified to handle. That’s why you need to count on trusted biohazard companies to handle these trauma situations. 

Call ServiceMaster of the Upstate at (864) 310-7891 for a 24-hour emergency service in South Carolina. We are serving Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Newberry, Saluda, and surrounding areas and counties.

How to Prepare Your Property/Workplace/Business for Reopening

All across the country, states have been imposing strict health guidelines on their population because of the pandemic brought by the coronavirus disease. Quarantine has been mandated to the general public to slow down the spread of the virus.

 

The government is starting to reopen the economy. States are struggling with timelines for reopening businesses and workplaces. It will undoubtedly be challenging to transition to the new normal after the quarantine is lifted. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released guidance to help companies and employers prepare for reopening and ensure that COVID-19 safety measures are in place. It is vital to continue to follow the recommendations of the health department and to take appropriate actions to get your facilities ready for reopening. It is crucial to implement safeguards to make sure that your employees and customers are protected.

 

Ask preliminary questions.

In the CDC guidance, these questions should be considered before reopening:

 

• Will reopening be in compliance with state and local orders?

• Will you be ready to protect employees at higher risk for severe illness? 

Adapt to recommended safety practices.

 

The guidelines from the CDC also advocate the following safety actions:

 

• Promote healthy hygiene practices, especially frequent handwashing with soap for at least 20 seconds throughout the day.

• Intensify sanitation and disinfection of work areas. Make sure no virus has a chance to spread on your premises by booking a professional carpet cleaning service in Spartanburg SC.

• No large gatherings. Gathering times should be staggered and in small groups.

• Ensure social distancing. Workstations and seating should be properly spaced out. 

• Cancel non-essential travel. Consider alternative work arrangements such as work from home set-up.

• Establish routine health checks on workers and employees.

• Train all employees and staff on all safety measures.

 

Prepare your property for the reentry of workers and customers.

 

The CDC has also given guidance which you can consult when you start cleaning and disinfecting indoor areas of your workplaces and places of business.

 

• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items more often, such as mobile phones, doorknobs, light switches, elevator buttons, and other items often touched by other persons.

• Thoroughly sanitize and disinfect high-traffic areas, especially those made of soft and porous materials like carpet. To ensure deep cleaning, you can call a trusted carpet cleaning company in Spartanburg SC for your safety and peace of mind.

• Be vigilant in maintaining routine sanitation and disinfection to reduce the potential of infection.

• Monitor your area for COVID-19 news and updates. 

 

Get your property ready for reopening. Call us for carpet cleaning services Spartanburg today. Call ServiceMaster of the Upstate at (864) 310-7891 for a 24-hour emergency service in South Carolina. We are serving Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Newberry, Saluda, and surrounding areas and counties.