Coronavirus Cleaning: How To Sanitize Your Building

As part of the reopening process during the COVID-19 pandemic, many commercial building managers and office tenants are investing in sanitization measures and disinfecting services.

Industry professionals often use the terms “disinfecting" and “sanitizing" interchangeably, but subtle differences exist. Other techniques you may hear about making spaces safe amid the pandemic include “sterilization," and, simply, “cleaning."

It's important to understand the differences between these techniques when you hire a disinfecting service to help meet your state's standards for reopening and to keep the tenants in your office buildings safe. The nuances of these processes will also be applicable for owners or tenants of retail outlets, multifamily properties, or multiuse spaces.

“'Cleaning' is done by industrial cleaning companies, and they perform services like vacuuming, dusting, and wiping down surfaces," explains Vincent Orlando, president and owner of Silent Rise, a general contracting and disinfection cleaning company in Staten Island, N.Y. “[Cleaning isn't] what my company does, and it's not what companies require to reopen safely or to disinfect if someone has been diagnosed with COVID," he explains.

So what's the difference?

According to the CDC, sanitizing helps reduce the number of germs to commonly accepted “safe levels." Disinfecting takes it another step, using CDC-approved chemicals to kill nearly 100% of germs lingering on surfaces in a space, including the walls, floors, desks, equipment and—depending on the company doing the work—even in HVAC vents.

Hospital-grade disinfectants use chemicals that kill 99.999% of germs, while sanitizers kill 99.9%, Orlando says, noting that property managers sometimes use the terms interchangeably.

As with choosing any other commercial contractor, you'll want to opt for a firm with a reliable reputation. Because disinfecting services represent a rapidly growing industry, you may encounter new fly-by-night companies or, as Orlando describes them, “two guys with a backpack," referring to the aerosol fogging spray apparatus worn by disinfection professionals.

“Look at the company history and ask for references," Orlando advises. Although no official licensing exists for cleaning or disinfecting services, make sure the company is fully insured with business insurance for janitorial and cleaning companies, says Orlando. If someone is injured on your property, or they damage your property during disinfecting, you may be responsible for costs incurred if the company doesn't carry insurance.

Companies rely on many different types of disinfecting chemicals to create safer and healthier workspaces and public places. The EPA has published a list of disinfectants to use against COVID-19. “The product has to be EPA-registered," Orlando says.

Puroxcide, a solution made from hydrogen peroxide and used by SilentRise, represents one common disinfectant. It meets EPA standards for disinfecting and does not remain in the air, Orlando says. “Within 30 minutes after we leave, the solution has evaporated and it's safe to return to the space," he adds. Because it's made from hydrogen peroxide, it doesn't leave behind a lingering odor the way bleach does.

Orlando's company uses a fog sprayer that disperses the disinfectant up to 25 feet, with a handheld attachment to reach tight spaces. Some disinfecting companies use electrostatic sprayers, which use a magnetic charge to pull the product down via gravity to reach and cover surfaces. These machines only cover five to seven feet, says Orlando, which means workers must be more diligent to reach every surface.

It's important to note that disinfecting does not necessarily clean objects and surfaces, according to experts like Orlando, who notes that disinfecting and cleaning companies are not one in the same. If a layer of dust sits on a computer system unit, the disinfecting solution will remove the dangerous microorganisms on the dust. That's why it's a good idea to clean the space before disinfecting for the best results.

Prior to disinfecting, the company should take a walk-through of the space to ensure they hit not just high-traffic areas, but closets and corners too, Orlando says. “We just want to see the layout of the building so we don't miss anything," Orlando says.

He advises his clients to place plastic bags over computer screens to prevent damage, and to flip keyboards upside down. You can sanitize these surfaces later with cleaners designed for electronics, he says. Secure any loose paperwork because the foggers could blow papers and other light objects as they disperse the disinfecting mist through the air.

Property managers should hire a disinfecting or sanitizing company to come through once a week, Orlando emphasizes, and should call for emergency services if an employee or occupant has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Many companies offer service contracts for regular disinfecting, and can also provide emergency overnight services if you have an infected employee or tenant.