Protecting your facilities during COVID-19

Jessica Duarte
March 21, 2020
Blog, Office Cleaning

TIPS

Protecting Your Facilities During a Pandemic

Here at Boardwalk, we understand that running your business in these uncertain times can present difficulties and confusion. We’ve been following closely, and have some suggested best practices to protect you, your employees, your clients, and your business operations.

Jessica Duarte Co-Founder & Owner

High-impact leader with ability to bring out the best in others and consistently exceed goals. I've been in the maid service business for 21 years and like a lot of small business owners, I started in my garage with a mop, a bucket and a dream.

See Full Bio

Here are some strategies for your business:

Be aware of what local authorities are suggesting and follow their guidelines. This is a fast moving crisis that varies by geography, so it’s important to stay current.
Wear disposable gloves while cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. Wash hands thoroughly before and after wearing disposable gloves.
For disinfection, diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective against COVID-19.
Diluted household bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
“Dwell time,” or the time the disinfectant or bleach solution remains on a surface prior to wiping or rinsing, is important to how well it kills germs and viruses. Check the label for specific instructions for dwell time.
Besides the areas normally cleaned, try to think of commonly touched items and objects that should also be disinfected. Light switches, door handles, an appliances buttons and surfaces, drawer handles, TV remotes, coffee machines, phones, computers, file cabinets, water coolers, tables, hard-backed chairs, and similar items should be disinfected regularly.
Remember to also disinfect your cleaning equipment, such as broom handles, mop handles, supply carts, and mop buckets. Touching these items and then touching a previously cleaned surface will recontaminate them.
Avoid touching used tissues and other waste when emptying wastebaskets. Wash your hands thoroughly after emptying waste baskets.
If at all possible, try to avoid cleaning/working while the building is occupied. If the building is occupied, confirm that all occupants of the building are not exhibiting signs of respiratory illness prior to entering.
If you have employees in high risk groups, allow them time off to avoid exposure.

As you deal with the uncertainty of the current situation, we are standing by to assist with your office disinfecting needs or any disinfecting related questions you may have. We are 100% committed to supporting our customers’ needs during this difficult time.

Jessica Duarte Co-Founder & Owner

See Full Bio

Disinfecting Facilities During a Pandemic