Companies are attacking germs in the workplace more than anybody could have imagined before the pandemic began, and now disinfection has become a big part of daily routines. This has a lot of folks wondering about what methods might be the most efficient.
We’ve compiled a rundown of what innovations companies have been using lately to kill germs in their workplaces.
UV Light
UV-C, which is the disinfecting spectrum of light, has been proven to destroy bacteria and viruses in air, water, and on surfaces when used appropriately. Its use as a sanitizing method has been around for more than a hundred years.
The deployment of robots equipped with UV-C lights was a rapidly growing trend in medical settings before the pandemic began last year. Since then, they have become increasingly popular in lots of other industries because of the convenience they offer. They’re also able to reach a lot of places that conventional cleaning can’t access.
Steve O’Day, president and CEO of Hammond-based George O’Day’s Inc., a distributor of the UVD Robot brand, said his company has been seeing lots of interest from a variety of sectors over the past few months.
“People from schools, offices, and even factories have been looking for better means of disinfection,” O’Day said. “UV-C robots are great because they eliminate a lot of hard work and they kill germs from floor to ceiling.”
The advantages of UV-C robots are that they can be programmed to work autonomously, which helps eliminate a lot of manual labor. Also, most rooms only take about 10 to 15 minutes to disinfect from top to bottom. When used correctly, these devices are able to kill over 99 percent of bacteria. Grants may be available to help offset purchase costs.
The downside is that while the robots do have the capability to kill more than 99 percent of bacteria and other germs, there are still a lot of variables at play. Dust and shadows, for example, may enable some germs to survive.
Natural Vs. Chemical Cleaners
Wipes, sanitizers, and sprays, and more all contain well-known disinfecting agents – but is there really much of a difference between all-natural and chemical cleaners? Fundamentally, yes, but it ultimately comes down to your individual disinfecting needs.
Chemical cleaning options are found just about everywhere. They are among the most effective and abundant methods for disinfecting a business and include substances like bleach, household cleaners, and many others.
Their advantages are that they’re generally cheap and can kill over 99 percent of harmful germs. There are also powerful compounds available that work well in hospital settings against stronger germs.
The downside is that chemical cleaners can be potentially dangerous to the user and may conflict with corporate/customer ideologies if they are environmentally unfriendly.
All-natural cleaning methods are a popular choice for companies that are concerned about health risks and environmental impact. Substances like alcohol and hydrogen peroxide are natural products that are widely used for disinfection all over the world.
The advantages here are that all-natural cleaners are extremely common and affordable, and they’re much safer than chemical agents for people, animals, and the environment.
The downside with this type of option is that some all-natural cleaning products are generally less effective than others. Vinegar, for example, kills germs and viruses to a lesser degree than alcohol. It also needs to sit on a surface for about 30 minutes to fully disinfect.
Time to Clean Up
Business owners have a few options at their disposal to best fit their unique facility cleaning needs and their personal preferences. Whether it’s chemical, natural, or technological disinfection, there’s a right combination for every company. All of which will ultimately go a long way toward reducing infection and improving safety, which is what matters most.
