Why deep cleaning is a solution to protecting office from COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has revolutionarily changed the way of working for all of us and this change is permanent in some companies. Never in the past cleaning of the office has meant life and death situations. Hygiene in workplaces is always given importance. But in the present, we are fully aware of keeping our offices scrupulously clean along with the food safety experts rigorously highlighting the importance of diligently cleaning and sanitizing kitchen surfaces and other things used for preparing meals. The government is also emphasizing the need for decontaminating a wide range of workplaces to ward off the COVID-19 virus.

What is deep cleaning?

First of all, it is important to understand the discretion between disinfecting and cleaning in the context of the current situation. Cleaning is the process of removal of germs and other impurities from different surfaces. Though it is not able to kill germs entirely, it is effective in their removal which lowers the risk of contamination.

On the other hand, disinfecting means usage of chemicals which are called disinfectants for killing germs. By disinfecting, you may not be able to clean any dirty surfaces or remove germs. But when you can kill germs, it can further reduce the chances of exposing it to other places. 

What are the different kinds of workplaces requiring deep cleaning?

If there has been a risk of contamination with COVID-19, then that work area can be cleaned with deep cleaning. There are specific guidelines for healthcare in different establishments. All areas of the office including waiting rooms and lobbies, workstations, boardings, accommodation, and hotel rooms must be cleaned as per the latest regulations. 

What are the points you need to know for protecting your office from COVID-19?

As a facility manager, you must be aware of a few critical points when it comes to deep cleaning your office and some of these are:

  • Virus living on a given surface is reduced to a great extent after 3 days of deep cleaning. So it is advised to keep the workplace for this time after cleaning so that the chances of contamination are reduced.
  • The dedicated team of cleaning personnel should wear washing up gloves for protective aprons as these are the fundamental protective gear. After usage, these gears should be packed properly and kept for 72 hours before they are disposed of in rubbish bins.
  • Hard surfaces must be cleaned at first with a mild disinfectant and warm water. Areas that are frequently touched should be given much priority. These include bathroom, door handles, table surfaces, stair railing, and other such places. 
  • One must avoid spraying and splashing cleaners while deep cleaning. 
  • It is believed that giving enough time can also kill the coronavirus. The latest information indicates that this deadly virus can live on cardboard surfaces for a few hours and can thrive on plastic, metal, and other hard surfaces for a few days. In case there is a high density of people in a large area, it is better not to wait for time to take all the actions and go for deep cleaning. The disinfectant should be left on the surface for some time before it is rinsed off with a damp cloth.
  • The most commonplace yet important thing: washing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds is a must along with maintaining proper etiquette while sneezing and coughing.

Though there is a lot to know about the COVID-19 virus, yet we have come to know a few facts. Most importantly, we have come to know various means to prevent the spread of this virus. One of these methods is deep cleaning. Cleanliness plays a huge role because the structure of coronavirus is such that it is protected by a layer of lipids that can be easily torn down by soap. Cleaning along with other prompt ways of disinfection can be very effective in stopping the virus from spreading. 

The coronavirus had started in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and had spread to over 100 countries, infecting millions of people all over the world. Most of the countries have suffered the deaths of their civilians even before understanding how dreadful this virus is. We Indians are under lockdown from mid-week of March and most establishments are closed since then. But still, there are certain institutions that are functioning continuously. And deep cleaning those offices is the only way out to protect the people working there. 

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Gaurav Pathak
Group Director

Management Graduate with specialization in HR, Young dynamic visionary & entrepreneur, Looks after the overall operations of the company, Has in depth knowledge of FM Industry viz: branch profitability, large account management and service transition.

Gautam Pathak
Group Director

Management Graduate in Sales/Marketing and additional Qualification in Finance from Aalto University, Singapore, Strong network in the industry, Heads overall marketing of the Company, In depth knowledge of contract staffing (Employee leasing service marketing).

R. A. Pathak
Group Chairman

Management Graduate with qualification in law, 30 years of industry experience as HR/IR, Labor Law consultant to leading business entities of India.