If it’s possible to clean something so much it dissolves away, it’s likely it would have happened to our countertops, light switches, and other high touch (and often disinfected) surfaces in 2020. As we continue to make our way through the COVID-19 pandemic, we can expect to continue our diligent social distancing, mask-wearing, and disinfecting. After nearly a year of frequent cleaning, many are wondering about the wear and tear caused by heavy disinfecting and if it might ruin hard surfaces.
There are three main factors that come into play when discussing the wear and tear that frequent disinfection can have on surfaces: force, frequency, and formula. Force refers to the physical energy (man or machine) used in the disinfection process. No-wipe spray disinfectants don’t require any force while a standard cleaning product might require that the solution be wiped, or aggressively scrubbed, away. Frequency refers to how often a surface must be disinfected. Generally speaking, more frequent applications are more likely to cause wear and tear just from the increased exposure to force and formula. Formula refers to the type of disinfectant used. Not all disinfectants are approved to fight the SARS COV-2, the virus known to cause COVID-19. It’s important to choose a disinfectant that will destroy this and other harmful pathogens without causing harm to your surfaces or equipment.
We often think of hard, nonporous surfaces, things like plastics or metals, as indestructible, but frequent (and now extended) disinfectant use can show their effects. Some of these are simply a temporary residue while others can be a sign of a bigger, more permanent surface damage issue.
Residue is one of the easiest “surface damage” issues to remedy. What often appears to be a haze or discoloration on your surface can actually be a simple residue. Most household and commercial cleaners are largely water-based. These sanitizing solutions contain an active ingredient, often something like sodium hypochlorite (aka bleach) or ammonium chloride that kills pathogens and often small amounts of other ingredients. These ingredients can be everything from detergents to essential oils to special additives to control stability or improve antimicrobial performance. After the product is applied to a surface and has dried, some of these ingredients will be left behind and may be visible as a residue. The texture, color, and material of the surface will often determine how a residue appears and how noticeable it is. Getting rid of residue is easy. Simply run a clean, damp cloth over the surface and any chemical residue should lift off leaving your surface good as new.
Occasionally, a foggy or dull looking surface can be the result of heavy cleaning. While manufacturers try to formulate products that won’t harm most non-porous surfaces, the need for the product to work quickly, easily, and be cost-effective can mean that not every disinfectant is right for every surface. This issue, known as “surface compatibility” has been widely discussed in the medical field due to the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing tools and equipment, but COVID-19 has brought it to attention in other industries that are now having to frequently disinfect surfaces.
Traditionally, surface compatibility has been described in simple terms where a product is deemed compatible/not compatible with various surface materials. Reality is rarely that clear cut. In some cases, a formula could be used on a surface for many years with no apparent damage while other cases could result in some minor visible damage like pitting or tarnishing. In more serious cases, cracks in plastic or corrosion on metals could cause both visual and structural damage that could impact the usability, safety, or ability of the item to be completely disinfected.
Protecting your surfaces from the effects of high frequency disinfecting starts with choosing the right product for your needs. Make sure to look at the manufacturer’s cleaning and care guidelines for tips on selecting the correct disinfecting products for your surface. It’s also a good idea to check the label on the specific sanitizing solution you’ll be using to make sure there are no contraindications or warnings.
While we’re all disinfecting and sanitizing our homes and workplaces more than ever, the professionals at PurePro One have been keeping homes, commercial spaces, municipal buildings, and other public and private spaces clean and healthy for years. They’ve got the experience needed to select the best methods for disinfecting your space with minimal wear and tear or disruption. Schedule your service today!