ProCleaning Disinfecting Services, LLC

01/24/2021

Can Frequent Use of Disinfectants Lead to Surface Damage?
January 20, 2021
Richard Lowe, Ph.D., MPH, Associate Research Fellow, Clorox Healthcare
As 2021 rolls around, the U.S. is still in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. And just like for most of 2020 we’re likely to continue doing a lot of cleaning and disinfecting in public and private spaces than prior to the pandemic. As a result, people are asking about the effect of more frequent cleaning and disinfecting on common surfaces such as tables, chairs, school desks, countertops, door handles and light switches, and other “high-touch” surfaces.

So what are the issues with extended and frequent use of disinfectants on plastics, metals and other hard, nonporous surfaces, how can they be addressed, and what’s the difference between surface damage, and residue left behind after cleaning and disinfecting?

Residue

Let’s start with the easy one — residue. Most household or commercial disinfectants are water-based. They contain an “active” ingredient which might be a quaternary ammonium chloride, or “quat,” sodium hypochlorite (better known as bleach) or hydrogen peroxide, that kills pathogens. Small amounts of other ingredients are often added; detergents to help with cleaning, special additives to control stability or improve antimicrobial efficacy, and organic solvents to help keep everything in solution and improve performance. After a cleaner or disinfectant applied to a surface has dried, some of these ingredients will be left behind on the surface.

The type, color and texture of the surface material will determine what the residue looks like on the surface. If the disinfectant spreads out evenly on the surface or the surface is textured, the residue may not be easy to see or the surface may appear a little dull. On a smooth surface the disinfectant may form small beads which dry to leave visible spots or circles. If the surface isn’t wiped after application, the residue can build up and appear unsightly. In these situations, you should be able to remove the residue by wiping the surface with a clean damp cloth. You can do this after the contact time has been reached, or periodically — say every few days. You should see no visible change to the surface if the disinfectant hasn’t caused any damage.

Surface damage

Occasionally, after cleaning a surface for an extended period, it may start to look dull or pitted, or you may see hairline cracks on the surface. These are all signs of permanent damage which may have been caused by a frequent use of a cleaning and disinfectant product. While disinfectant manufacturers try to formulate products that won’t cause damage to most hard, nonporous materials, they must balance this with the need for rapid pathogen kill, ease of use, safety and cost. In healthcare settings, where surfaces, medical devices and equipment are frequently cleaned and disinfected, the risk of material damage has been an issue for many years. This issue of “surface compatibility” of the disinfectant is now coming to the forefront in other types of facilities such as schools, colleges and offices which are now being cleaned and disinfected more thoroughly and more frequently.

Surface compatibility is typically described in black and white terms: “This disinfectant is not compatible with this material” for instance. But it’s not that simple. A disinfectant could be used on a surface for many years with no apparent damage to the surface. In other cases, extended use may result in some minor damage — seen as pitting, dulling or tarnishing. This may affect the look of the surface but the structural properties of the material may not be affected. In extreme cases, damage in the form of cracks in plastic materials or corrosion on metals affects the look of the material and indicate that material integrity has been affected. Surface damage not only affects the looks of the material but can also make it harder to clean and disinfect a surface properly.

What you can do to reduce the risk of surface damage?

When disinfectants are used regularly, it’s important to balance the benefits of their efficacy against pathogens versus the risk of potential damage to materials and surfaces. Fortunately, users can take several steps to reduce the risk of surface damage.

Look at the equipment manufacturer’s cleaning and care guidelines for how to clean and disinfect surfaces. These often include guidance on what types of products can be used and how. If there are no guidelines, contact the equipment manufacturer to discuss care and maintenance.
Disinfectant manufacturers are increasingly issuing guidance on compatibility of their products with common hard surface materials. Look at their websites or contact them to see what products are compatible with different types of surface materials.
Just as with residue, wiping with a clean damp cloth to remove excess disinfectant reduces the risk of damage. Depending on the surface material and disinfectant, wiping may need to take place after each cleaning; in other situations, removal every few days may be enough.
As you continue to work hard to provide your customers with healthier and safer environments, factors including the type of surface materials being cleaned, the importance of surfaces looking clean as well as disinfected, and the risk of not disinfecting versus potential damage will all need to be considered. The good news is that there are a few steps you can take to eliminate residue and reduce the potential for surface damage, while keeping the facility environment clean, disinfected and safe.

10/12/2020

Found on Google from journals.plos.org

10/12/2020

Fighting SARS-CoV-2, the Coronavirus that causes COVID-19
These are 3 of the antagonists we need to beat in order to help keep our students, clients, and family members safe from SARS-CoV-2:
Fomites, Droplets, and Aerosolized Particles.
Fomites: Fomites are the virus strings that attach to surfaces. These surfaces are handled by numerous people and this causes the virus to transfer from person to person. Think tabletops, doorknobs, elevator buttons, gas pumps, etc..
Droplets: Respiratory Droplets are the most notable virus strings in the news because they are the main reason for social distancing. These are between 5-10 µm in size and are passed via coughing, sneezing, laughing, singing, talking, etc... Luckily these are limited to about 2 meter from their source and that is why wearing masks and maintaining 6 feet is so effective.
Aerosolized Particles: Aerosolized particles, a.k.a. Droplet Nuclei, are smaller than 5 µm and can remain in the air much further than 2 meters from their source. These are the ones that the WHO refers to when they speak of a virus being airborne. What's worse is that when researchers created aerosolized particles of the new Coronavirus, they remained infectious for more than 16 hours.

10/11/2020

By LARIMER COUNTY |
October 3, 2020 at 11:48 a.m.
Larimer County Public Health has started to see a rise in COVID-19 cases in the county, much like is being seen across Colorado. While cases have continued to rise across all age ranges, there has been a substantial increase in cases for those between the ages of 18-24.

Colorado’s dial framework standardizes different levels of “openness” for counties. Currently, Larimer County is in the Level 1 phase. The increase in COVID-19 cases jeopardizes the Level 1 status. A move to the Level 2 phase could lead to more restrictions for businesses in Larimer County. Larimer County has been open more than the rest of the state due to a variance that way approved in May. Learn more about the Safer at home phases at https://covid19.colorado.gov/data/covid-19-dial/covid-19-dial-dashboard.

A move to Level 2 could potentially impact our restaurants and breweries, places of worship, gyms, and public gathering sizes. It is always the hope of Larimer County Public Health that there is no roll back and that businesses are not closed again in Larimer County, but the move to Level 2 would require LCDHE to limit business capacity levels.

Face coverings, social distancing, handwashing and frequent cleaning all help slow the spread of the virus in the community. Recently, residents have become less cautious, and may not be following the guidance in Larimer County. Cases have continued to rise to reflect that.

“Larimer County residents have worked hard to maintain a lower case rate and as a result have reduced illness and death,” said Tom Gonzales public health director. “However, we can’t let our guard down. I understand we are all tired of these restrictions, but lowering our guard may lead to more illness and further rollbacks for our businesses.”

Larimer County has three weeks to reverse the trend of increasing cases, or the phase of reopening could be moved to the more restrictive Level 2. Public Health can’t do this alone. It takes community partners, municipalities, business owners and residents to step up the response to COVID-19 and take this seriously.

Information about COVID-19 is constantly changing, and the public health response adjusts as more is learned about this virus. While there is plenty of news and media information available, LCDHE is encouraging Larimer County residents to view the latest credible information on COVID-19 at www.larimer.org/coronavirus or www.CDC.gov/coronavirus. Additionally, residents are encouraged to follow LCDHE’s Facebook and Twitter accounts at .

09/12/2020

Coronavirus Deep Cleaning, Prevention, and Deep Disinfection Services For Commercial and Industrial Facilities
Deep cleaning, disinfection, and proven sanitation methods are essential for our commercial and industrial businesses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. At ProCleaning Disinfecting Services, for 25 years, the safety of our clients and team members has always been a priority in everything we do. In recent weeks, like many of you, we have been learning how COVID-19 (Coronavirus) can potentially affect our customers & employees and impact our community & businesses. In light of the constantly changing situation regarding this virus, we are closely monitoring the most up-to-date safety, infection control and cleaning protocols recommended by the CDC and OSHA, in order to protect our clients and associates.

As a fundamental part of our objective, we have developed a plan to help our customers to prepare and defend their locations against possible coronavirus contamination.
Even though we cannot say for sure how long the virus which causes COVID-19 infections remains on a surface, The World Health Organization said it could live for hours or days depending on the environment. According to the CDC, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces with the correct disinfectants is the best practice measure for prevention to limit the survival of the virus.

With our deep-disinfection plan, we will clean, disinfect & sanitize all high traffic areas and the places where those kinds of bacteria and viruses tend to linger; including all touch-points, like light switches, doorknobs, desks, faucets, sinks, bathrooms, countertops, kitchen tables, etc, etc.. Our medical-grade disinfectants are about three times as strong as the ones found in local stores, and eliminate over 99.99% of bacteria and viruses, including disinfectant-resistant pathogens like Coronavirus.

08/23/2020

What Is Electrostatic Disinfection and How Does It Work?
When it comes to cleaning surfaces and objects, traditional dry and wet dusting tends to be the first methods that come to mind. While these cleaning techniques are tried and true, they do little more than spread filth around, unless the rags used are washed regularly. Dry dusting kicks up resting particles, redistributing them into the air and onto other surfaces. Wet dusting can involve harmful cleaning chemicals and make it hard to reach certain spots or objects. For sensitive places, like clean rooms, R&D labs, healthcare facility cleaning and schools, there’s a more effective method for stripping dirt, dust and germs from surfaces that require specialized sanitation: electrostatic spray.

Looking for information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)? Visit our helpful Coronavirus page.

What Is Electrostatic Disinfection?

Electrostatic spray surface cleaning is the process of spraying an electrostatically charged mist onto surfaces and objects. Electrostatic spray uses a specialized solution that is combined with air and atomized by an electrode inside the sprayer. Subsequently, the spray contains positively charged particles that are able to aggressively adhere to surfaces and objects. Because the particles in the spray are positively charged, they cling to and coat any surface they’re aimed at.

For awkwardly shaped objects or hard to reach places, cleaning staff only have to point and spray; the nature of the mist allows it to coat surfaces evenly, and envelope objects—even if the mist is only sprayed from one side. After the spray is applied, the sanitizing agent works to disinfect the covered surfaces. For this reason, electrostatic spray is an excellent solution for germ and contaminant ridden areas.

How Does Electrostatic Disinfection Work?

Electrostatic spray is electrically charged, allowing the appropriate sanitizers, mold preventatives and disinfectants to wrap around and evenly coat all types of surfaces for a more complete clean. As the chemical exits the electrostatic sprayer, it’s given a positive electrical charge. The droplets then become attracted to all negative surfaces, covering the visible area, underside and backside, with the sanitizing agent. Surfaces that are already covered will repel the spray, making the method extremely efficient.

Is Electrostatic Spray Disinfection Right For My Business?

If your building contains rooms or areas that are sensitive to grime and germs, such as R&D facilities or clean rooms, then yes, electrostatic spray cleaning is the best option for cleaning all the surfaces and equipment in that room. Although electrostatic spray may sound like an aggressive method for regular commercial cleaning applications, the opposite is true.

The main features and benefits of electrostatic spray disinfection include1:

Reduces the time it takes to cover and disinfect all surfaces and hard-to-reach places by 50% compared to conventional methods
Improves infection control and the spread of viruses such as influenza, MRSA, HIV and many others
Applies chemicals in a more efficient, controlled manner, eliminating the dangers of overuse
Prevents costly financial burdens associated with contagious healthcare infections
For desktops, floors and walls that need to be absolutely spotless, electrostatic spray cleaning is the best option. The same goes for equipment and hard to reach places; if a piece of equipment is heavily trafficked, electrostatic spray cleaning in the most comprehensive way to remove germs and dirt.

Interested in learning more about electrostatic spray disinfection technology and how it would benefit your building? Contact the most trusted electrostatic disinfection cleaning corporation today.

08/10/2020

ETNT Health
If You Have This Blood Type, You Might Be Immune to COVID-19
Leah Groth 7/12/2020

In the ongoing mission to understand why some people are more impacted by COVID-19 than others, in the past six months researchers have learned that blood type plays a major role. Several studies have found links between specific blood types and not only the likelihood of contracting the virus, but also risk of death. Now, another study has found that people with a specific blood type might actually get some protection against the highly infectious virus, making them less likely to catch coronavirus.

Female Technician holding blood tube test, a rack of blood samples Tubes of patients in laboratory in the hospital.© Provided by Eat This, Not That! Female Technician holding blood tube test, a rack of blood samples Tubes of patients in laboratory in the hospital.
As part of an ongoing massive study involving more than 750,000 participants, genetic testing company 23andMe claims that early data suggests Type O blood appears to be protective against the virus when compared to other blood types.

You're Less Likely With Type O
"Preliminary data from 23andMe's ongoing genetic study of COVID-19 appears to lend more evidence for the importance of a person's blood type — determined by the ABO gene — in differences in the susceptibility to the virus," the company revealed in a blog post on Monday.

According to their data, those with O blood type are between 9-18% percent less likely than individuals with other blood types to have tested positive for COVID-19.

"There have also been some reports of links between COVID-19, blood clotting, and cardiovascular disease," Adam Auton, the study's lead researcher, added to Bloomberg. "These reports provided some hints about which genes might be relevant."

Auton does point out that there is still a lot to learn about genetics, blood type, and the virus. "It's early days; even with these sample sizes, it might not be enough to find genetic associations," he continued. "We're not the only group looking at this, and ultimately the scientific community may need to pool their resources to really address questions surrounding the links between genetics and COVID-19."

Can Determine Susceptibility and Severity
However, their findings are in line with two other recently published studies — one out of China and another from researchers in Italy and Spain — finding that the blood type determining gene, ABO, may determine not only susceptibility to the virus but also the severity of illness. The latter, still in the peer review process, found that those with Type A blood have a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that if infected with the virus, they would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator.

08/05/2020

I don't like these percentages. As a customer or an employee of a business, I would hope that the frequency of cleaning would go up 100%. Most places aren't that clean to begin with so combined with the coronavirus still spreading and flu season around the corner, I say cleaning and disinfecting should increase 200%
NOTE: This does not mean that the employees should be doing all the additional cleaning either.

As millions of businesses across the U.S. prepare to re-open to both employees and the public, workplace cleanliness and disinfection is top-of-mind a

08/03/2020

Special 20% for restaurant and food service businesses

08/02/2020

What does disinfecting for reopening look like? This is the million-dollar question right now in communities across America. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, businesses are weighing getting back to work with the health and safety of their employees and customers.
More than ever, we are seeing and hearing the words cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting in the news and social media, and business owners and facility managers should understand the difference as they prepare for reopening safely.
As a local company, we understand how volatile this economy is now, and how dire it is for all of us to get back to work. ProCleaning Disinfecting Services provides residents and businesses with the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) cleaning, disinfecting services.
According to the CDC, cleaning is performed using a detergent, water, and agitation to remove germs from surfaces and objects. Cleaning does not kill bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Sanitizing is reducing contamination or bacteria to a safe level while disinfecting refers to killing germs on level while disinfecting refers to killing germs on contact.
Although the CDC and OSHA have guidelines for keeping workplaces safe, deep cleaning and disinfecting hold different meanings to different industries. Many businesses have stepped up cleaning protocols per advice from public health officials. The most common steps taken by both businesses and individual households have been increasing the frequency of cleanings, using disinfectant products that federal officials say are effective for cleaning "high-touch" spots and making hand sanitizer readily available.
We recommend businesses create and implement a routine corporate cleaning maintenance plan that best suits their facility and budget needs and one that follows regulatory guidelines. A plan may include weekly, monthly or quarterly professional disinfecting to ensure all surfaces and contents have been treated properly using EPA-approved chemicals and processes to combat bacteria, molds, and viruses, including coronavirus.
RECOMMENDED
Our first step to disinfecting is to thoroughly clean ALL high touch surfaces to eliminate any dirt, grime and biofilm. We to use a natural product to kill pathogens such as Covid-19. Only a handful have been deemed effective by the EPA. Thymol is a natural derivative of the Thyme plant. It is safe and proven to be a very effective broad-spectrum disinfectant with a dwell time of only 4 minutes. We use electrostatic sprayers to apply the disinfecting chemical to all surfaces and contents in the building. This process is safe and usually requires a two-hour kill and dry time. While disinfectants kill or inactivate germs on a surface, as soon as that surface is touched, it can be recontaminated. Research to date indicates that the coronavirus can live for hours to days depending on the type of surface.
While frequent disinfecting is paramount, we know that it’s not practical for every business to have us disinfect weekly, so we suggest a chemical process that coats surfaces with a protective barrier to prevent the growth of microbes, protecting your home and facility long after initial disinfection is complete. process. Technicians apply the antimicrobial protection to all surfaces and contents in the building. This process is safe and usually requires a two-hour kill and dry time.
For long lasting surface protection, we offer an EPA-approved antimicrobial spray that coats with a protective barrier that will help to prevent the growth of microbes, adding protection after initial disinfection is complete.
Just because a surface looks clean, doesn't mean it is. Bacteria, viruses, molds, and other harmful germs are invisible to the naked eye. For safety and peace of mind, call to schedule professional disinfection of your home and business.

Hours were updated.

08/01/2020

This is one way the Chinese are trying to stop the spread of Covid19

08/01/2020

This is one of the ways they are trying to stop the spread of Covid19 in China

08/01/2020

The latest from Larimer County Workforce and Development

COVID-19
Safer-at-Home Updates for Business
July 31, 2020
Larimer County Must Bring COVID-19 Cases Down
CDPHE recently accepted Larimer’s mitigation plan to reduce COVID-19 cases counts and other risk factors. The increased COVID-19 cases in Larimer have threatened the state-issued variance to Safer-at-Home that permits for larger events, gatherings, and in-person capacity for some types of businesses. The state will weigh-in on the future of the variance during the first week of August. Learn more about the Campaign and download social media sharable graphics to help spread the word about how to reduce COVID-19 cases in Northern Colorado and keep our businesses open.

How is Your Business Doing? Please Help Us Continue to Support NoCo Businesses!
Northern Colorado economic development focused organizations have been collaborating to understand business challenges since the Stay At Home Order was issued in March. Your survey results have helped inform elected officials, design assistance programs at the regional and municipal scale, apply for grant funding to support businesses and workers, and helped each of our collaborating groups focus efforts to places where we can make a difference to support local businesses of all sizes. Please share 10 minutes of your time and your valuable business experiences with us so that we can continue to make a positive impact for businesses during the ongoing COVID-19 response and recovery process.

Grant and Loan Opportunity for Colorado Small Businesses
The Energize Colorado Gap Fund will provide more than $25M in grants and loans to micro and small businesses throughout the state. Sole proprietors, businesses and nonprofits with less than 25 full-time employees can apply for up to a $15,000 grant and a $20,000 loan for a possible combined total of $35,000 in financial assistance. The application will go live no later than August 1, 2020. More about eligibility and the application process is here.

Need Answers to Questions that Impact Your Business? Chat with Larimer’s Health Department.
Larimer County’s state-approved variance allows businesses to open to a greater extent than many other counties in Colorado. Rising cases may lead to the state revoking the variance. Join this question and answer session with the Larimer County Health Department to get an update on this situation and answers to your questions. All businesses are invited to join us for the next 1-hour session, Thursday, August 6, at 2 p.m. via Zoom. To help make this session as informative and helpful as possible, please submit your questions in advance.

Meeting Details:

Zoom Meeting Direct Link: https://zoom.us/j/94104999954

Call In number: (253) 215-8782

Meeting ID: 941 0499 9954

Supply Chain Challenges a Theme for NoCOM Event (Northern Colorado Manufacturing Partnership)

Virtual trade show includes sessions on managing supply chain challenges in global disruptions, pivoting operations, cyber-resilience and workplace safety in the age of COVID. All day, Tuesday, August 25. Tickets start at $20.
Get Connected | Stay Connected
LCEWD is committed to offering reliable, timely service to our customers.
You can count on us to provide services by phone, email, and online. Contact us:

Email: business@larimer.org

Phone: (970) 498-6665


COVID-19 specific resources:

NoCo Recovers Information on resources available to support the business community of Northern Colorado.
Resources for workers and job seekers impacted by COVID-19
Resources for businesses impacted by COVID-19
Elevate Training has gone virtual and is offering topical HR Briefings and Leadership Training


Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development is an equal opportunity agency and supports Veterans priority of service. Qualified persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations with seven business days' notice by
emailing lcewd-ada@larimer.org or calling 970.498.6600 or Relay Colorado 711. Accommodation requests will be honored when possible but may be unavailable if advance notice is not provided

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Fort Collins, Colorado, 80521

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LCEWD is committed to offering reliable, timely service to our customers. You can count on us to provide services by phone, email, and online. Contact us at: