6 FAQs About Disinfection Services

January 07, 2022

Routine disinfection services and practices have become part of our daily lives. Nowadays, we should be disinfecting in order to keep our homes and businesses protected against the spread of infectious pathogens.


Germinator is the go-to sanitizing and disinfecting company that goes into daycares, fire stations, office buildings, restaurants, shopping malls, and homes every day to provide the most advanced disinfecting products and services that the industry can deliver.

We have been doing this since 2015, and in these seven years, we have come across the following six FAQs about disinfecting services. By answering these questions, our current and future customers will have the information they need to make an informed decision on who they should call for disinfection products and services.

FAQ #1 — What Is the Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting?

Cleaning removes dirt and impurities on surfaces using soaps, detergents, and water. On the other hand, sanitizing reduces germs on surfaces to a safer level through a variety of methods, and disinfecting significantly kills germs and bacteria on surfaces by the use of chemicals.

Occasionally, these chemicals can be dangerous; however, there are chemicals are much more preferable to use than others from a hazardous standpoint, but you will have to stay tuned because this is another frequently asked question about disinfection services we will address shortly.

FAQ #2 — Is Disinfecting Toxic or Harmful for People?

It all depends on what you use! Unfortunately, if you are not careful about the products you use and how you use them, yes, it could be. Like we mentioned before, some products used to disinfect have harsh chemicals, fumes, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).


Some untrained individuals certainly can misuse these chemicals, and even some disinfection services might use products containing ingredients that can irritate your eyes, skin, and respiratory system when overused or mishandled, such as alcohols or peroxides.

Others might use products containing aldehydes, which can also cause health issues such as asthma and irritation to the skin. The list is long, and even the handy disinfecting wipes you may find in your local supermarket aren't completely non-hazardous since they usually contain quaternary ammonium salts (quats). A compound that's been known to be irritating to the skin or eyes and can be corrosive or toxic if used improperly.

Chlorine-based compounds (AKA "bleach" in its diluted form) aren't without warnings either. The problems with bleach go beyond the risk of discoloration to your fabrics.

Bleach can cause skin irritation, eye damage and harm aquatic life. Even more alarming is that if it comes in contact with cleaners containing ammonia or other chlorine compounds, it can cause a fatal gas reaction.


This is why it's crucial to know what your disinfecting company is spraying. You just need to find a reliable disinfection service provider like Germinator. We use the most advanced antimicrobial science and other technologies to help kill germs on surfaces, in the air, and around our bodies with products that don't contain harsh chemicals, fumes, or VOCs.

FAQ #3 — What Products Does a Sanitizing and Disinfection Service Provider Like Germinator Use?

Germinator is a sanitizing and disinfecting service provider that uses hypochlorous acid or HOCl as our star sanitizing and disinfecting solution.

Derived from naturally occurring minerals, HOCl not only eliminates odors at their source but kills a wide range of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Salmonella enterica, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and viruses including norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus on hard, non-porous, environmental surfaces. It meets the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists' germicidal spray standards for hospital-grade disinfection and is on the EPA N List of products determined to meet the criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. As a result, this treatment will help eliminate bacteria and viruses that may reside in your environment without the use of harsh chemicals or fumes.


After we apply or HOCl solution, we will apply a bacteriostatic finish that's EPA-registered as effective against mold, mildew, algae, and odor-causing bacteria, creating an invisible barrier that combats deterioration and discoloration and promotes freshness for up to three months.

We apply both solutions using electrostatic sprayers to ensure maximum coverage. These sprayers charge disinfectants with electricity as they pass through the sprayer nozzle.

The positively or negatively charged solutions are being repelled by one another as soon as they are dispersed. The solutions are actively seeking to attract to more neutrally charged surfaces and objects. This causes a wrap-around effect due to the electrical charges. This wrapping effect means less wasted spray, more coverage, and easier application.

Besides the products used in our surface disinfection process, which constitutes the service side of Germinator, we also offer a full suite of disinfecting products to help you create 360 degrees of protection. Check out our solutions for air, body, and surface sanitizing and disinfecting.

FAQ #4 — Do I Have To Clean My House or Business Before Hiring Disinfection Services?

We recommend it! Cleaning before disinfecting is essential, and as we mentioned, there is a difference between cleaning and sanitizing and disinfecting. In fact, Brown University says that "cleaning is the necessary first step of any disinfection process."


You always need to clean before disinfecting because your disinfecting application will be much less impactful if it is blocked by dirt and dust particles. Germs can hide under debris, making it hard for the disinfecting solution to reach them.

FAQ #5 — How Often Should I Hire Disinfection Services?

The CDC recommends cleaning and disinfecting regularly, but since regularly is vague, let's explore how we can determine the frequency that may be best suited for you.

One foolproof way of knowing is testing surfaces for adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP), which is created by all living things, including mold and bacteria. ATP testing involves using a luminometer to detect the light that comes from cellular activity.

This measurement will immediately tell you the true level of cleanliness on your surfaces and let you know if it's time clean and hire disinfection services.

Germinator provides ATP testing before and after service. Plus, our patent-pending surface disinfecting process gives you 90 days of extended protection against germs.


Still, suppose someone was sick in your home or business, or you have some other reason you suspect you might need to hire disinfection services sooner. In that case, we also offer free ATP testing so you can check if it's necessary to disinfect before the 90-day period.

However, there is a simpler way that will allow you to put the thought of how regularly to disinfect your home or facilities out of your mind. Germinator offers state-of-the-art products that can constantly purify the air you breathe and your surfaces.

We offer products like Beyond by Aerus that combine world-class technologies with innovative design in order to establish extraordinary, fresher living environments. Featuring ActivePure®, Certified Space Technology, Beyond by Aerus products help create a cleaner, healthier, and more comfortable living environment at home, at work, and beyond.

Another solution provided by Germinator is a 99.98% effective, architectural-grade germicidal LED lighting platform designed to support healthy and comfortable environments.

The PURIFII GUV (germicidal ultraviolet) product platform is engineered with industry-proven UV-C technology to eliminate or reduce most viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, bacteria, and other microorganisms on surfaces and in the air.

With these solutions provided by Germinator, you can rest easy and stop worrying about how often you should hire disinfection services to protect your spaces.


The sum of disinfecting products and services we provide will help you create a Germinator Zone, a space that has been tested, sanitized, disinfected, and shielded to fight against the new world of germs.

FAQ #6 — How Long Does It Take To Disinfect My Facilities?

The time it takes to disinfect your spaces depends on the following:

• The type of building and the size of the area that will be sanitized and disinfected.


• The disinfection company you hire, since different companies have different disinfection processes and use different products, all of which influence how much time the disinfection service will take.


• And the products used. Some products need to dwell on surfaces for some time to be effective. Also, if they have harsh fumes or VOCs, you will probably need to wait longer to re-enter your home or business facility.

The disinfection service Germinator provides is effective and has quick turn-around times. We use products without harsh fumes or VOCs, allowing you to re-enter your home or facility right after service.

We hope that this list of FAQs helps you make better and informed decisions when hiring a disinfection service provider.

To learn more about Germinator's disinfection products and services, call us at 855-NO-GERMZ (664-3769). We will be happy to answer any further questions you may have about our services and products to help you reclaim the spaces and places where you work, live, and play, enjoying your very own Germinator Zone.