Amid the COVID-19 global pandemic, there have been relentless calls for individuals and business owners to keep their homes and establishments clean and disinfected. As a result, many have hired an office cleaning company in Singapore to do the cleaning and disinfection. But the question is: is cleaning and disinfection the same?
Many people have used the two terms interchangeably, but the truth is there are certain differences between the two. Do the differences matter? The answer is yes! You can clean without disinfecting, but you can never disinfect without cleaning!
This article will shed light on the differences and similarities between cleaning and disinfection.
Differences And Similarities Between Office Cleaning And Disinfecting In Singapore
You cannot know when is the right time to clean and disinfect if you don’t even know their differences and similarities. Especially today that COVID-19 continues to mutate into different variants; families and managers must eliminate the virus in their homes and buildings effectively. Unfortunately, getting office cleaning services alone in Singapore is ineffective.
1. DEFINITION
Cleaning
Cleaning refers to removing dirt, debris, and impurities on surfaces. Dusting decorations, rinsing the gate to remove the mud, or washing the clothes to eliminate the stains are all acts of cleaning.
Cleaning does not necessarily kill germs and bacteria. For example, wiping the kitchen counter may have removed the meat blood but did not completely kill or destroy bacteria from the blood.
You can do office cleaning in Singapore without disinfecting.
Disinfection
Disinfection refers to killing germs, bacteria, and viruses on surfaces. Hand sanitising, wiping tables using disinfecting agents, and cleaning your smartphone using alcohol swabs are examples of disinfection.
If disinfection means killing germs, is it possible to disinfect without cleaning? Yes, but it defeats its purpose of reducing the germ population. If you want to kill germs, you should do disinfection after your office carpet cleaning in Singapore.
2. TOOLS AND MATERIALS
Cleaning
Cleaning uses two primary components: friction and fluid. Therefore, there should be solid tools and solvents.
Cleaning materials range from cloth, brooms, feather dusters, brushes, vacuum cleaners, and so on.
Cleaning solvents include water, liquid soap and detergents, and cleaning agents. Not all cleaning agents can kill germs. They can clean surfaces and remove germs from the surface but not kill them.
But there are also cleaning agents claiming to have antibacterial properties.
Many office cleaning services in Singapore use these tools.
Disinfection
Disinfection also uses solvent and tools to disinfect surfaces; however, sometimes, solvents alone are enough.
Disinfection relies on chemicals approved by the health and government boards.
Among the chemicals used in disinfection are alcohol, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, peracetic acid, and phenolics.
Office disinfection can be more tricky than office cleaning in Singapore. There is a proper way of handling these chemical disinfectants. The incorrect concentration of chemicals and improper usage for specific purposes could result in an adverse effect on health.
Some people experience allergic attacks and asthma when exposed to these chemicals.
3. WHEN TO CLEAN AND DISINFECT
Cleaning
Ideally, people should clean their homes and workspaces every day, but sometimes, it all depends on the usage and type of surface. You can divide cleaning into three schedules. These are daily, periodic, and special cleaning.
A daily cleaning routine is carried out every day regularly. Among the examples are washing the dishes, sweeping or vacuuming the floor, and wiping tables and counters.
A periodic cleaning routine is carried out weekly, fortnightly, monthly or twice a year.
Weekly cleaning involves laundry, bathroom cleaning, and window cleaning.
On the other hand, monthly cleaning involves mattress and office carpet cleaning in Singapore.
Deep cleaning usually happens annually. It involves aircon and HVAC cleaning.
Lastly, special cleaning happens once in several years. The best example is renovation.
Disinfection
The frequency of disinfection depends on the use, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For example, disinfect public or shared restrooms twice a day. Restaurants and gyms should disinfect tables, seats, and gym equipment using a mild chemical disinfectant, such as alcohol, each use. You can disinfect using harsher chemical disinfectants after operating hours.
Playgrounds and ball pits should not be disinfected with harsh chemical disinfectants that could harm children’s health. Instead, you can disinfect through personal hygiene. Make sure your child washes their hands thoroughly after using these facilities.
Most importantly, homes and offices should disinfect when an occupant has contracted a virus. It will prevent the spread of the virus. You can do disinfection during your weekly office cleaning in Singapore.
4. WHAT TO CLEAN AND DISINFECT
As mentioned, you cannot disinfect without cleaning first. Ultimately, all surfaces that must be cleaned and disinfected are the same. So here are the places and surfaces that should be cleaned and disinfected.
Cleaning and Disinfection
● High-touch surfaces
Anything that countless people touch each day is a fomite or high-touch surface. High-touch surfaces harbour and spread viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
Doorknobs, handles, keyboards, rails, elevator buttons, switches, keyboard and mouse, telephone, faucet, and flush levers are high-touch surfaces.
● Soft surfaces
Soft surfaces include mattresses, linen, drapes, curtains, couches and sofas, carpet, rugs, and clothes. You can hire office cleaning services in Singapore to clean and disinfect these surfaces.
● Surfaces that harbour allergens
You should also pay close attention to surfaces that harbour and spread allergens, such as dust, mould spores, pet hair, and pollens. Clean and disinfect your carpet, couches, air conditioning units, and HVAC systems regularly.
● High-traffic and shared spaces
The kitchen, living room, and bathroom are the areas with the highest traffic at home.
The lobby, stairs and hallways, elevators, lounge area, conference room, open workspaces, and shared restrooms are the areas with the highest traffic at different establishments.
These high-traffic areas and shared spaces must be cleaned and disinfected regularly. An office cleaning company in Singapore can help you with this job.
● Things and areas used by a sick person
People should clean and disinfect things and areas used by a sick person more frequently than other objects and places.
These are cutleries, clothing, blanket, and pillow cases. Clean and disinfect their bedroom and bathroom as well.
Conclusion
You can get the best of both worlds by conducting cleaning and disinfection activity at your place. Enjoy an illness-free and clutter-free home and office!
Lukis
Get reliable office cleaning services in Singapore at Lukis. Visit Lukis today.