Why Is It Important to Sanitize?
April 03, 2020
Sanitizing has always been important, but during the current pandemic, it's more important than ever. We're living through a health crisis that most of us have never seen before. Covid-19 (coronavirus) has almost paralyzed the country and threatens the health of people throughout the world. Schools and businesses have been shut down and healthcare workers are facing an unprecedented shortage of needed supplies while dealing with the overwhelming number of Covid-19 patients. The Internet is filled with information regarding what to do and how to do it as far as staying safe is concerned. At Germinator, we want to remind everyone to consider the source when implementing any recommendation you read or hear. The best source of information, of course, is the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which keeps a Covid-19 index updated regularly with the latest news and advice regarding the current situation.
Why Sanitizing is So Important
We mentioned that sanitizing is more important now than ever. Don't confuse cleaning with sanitizing. Sweeping, mopping, dusting, and wiping dirt and grime from your counters and other surfaces is a part of an important cleaning routine. Cleaning, however, does almost nothing to kill germs. Sanitizing reduces the growth of viruses, fungi, and types of harmful bacteria. You can clean every day, but you should always sanitize and also disinfect to keep your home or workplace safe. A product that sanitizes effectively greatly reduces all bacteria, not just a specific type. That's why sanitizing is one of the most essential components of the cleaning process in medical offices, senior care facilities, hospitals, food service businesses, schools, daycares, shopping malls, gymnasiums, and work environments of all types in addition to disinfecting. Appropriate sanitizers will reduce microbiological contamination to levels that conform to local health regulations.
While we are currently social distancing and self-quarantining across the country, that doesn't mean we don't need to sanitize. Many of us are still going out to work. People still need to leave their homes to get supplies. Germs and bacteria can be brought back into your home after every trip you make to a public place, regardless of the precautions you take. That doesn't mean you can't reduce the risk of catching the coronavirus when you have to leave your home. For those who have to leave the home, it's important to follow the social distancing guidelines while you're out. Wear protective gear if you have it, avoid large gatherings of people, and maintain at least six feet between you and other people. This can help reduce the risk of you catching the virus. Sanitize your hands when you return before you start touching objects in your home.
If you're sick, the CDC recommends staying inside. They also recommend wiping surfaces that are frequently touched, including doorknobs, sink and toilet handles, tables, computers, TVs, desks, and other objects in the home that may have been touched. Because of the current overload on hospitals and medical facilities, the CDC recommends checking for a fever and then calling your doctor before you rush out to a hospital. If you are in a low-risk group and showing mild symptoms, you can recover at home. When it's possible, the infected person should be isolated in the home.
How to Sanitize Properly
- Clean Surface – Sanitizing a dirty surface is not effective. Clean surfaces with detergent and water before you sanitize.
- Sanitize – Use a product specifically made for sanitizing.
Be aware of sanitizing products you choose. Many of them contain harmful chemicals that can actually pose a health threat to your family and your pets. According to the Environmental Protection Agency guide entitled Green Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting: a Curriculum for Early Care and Education, "Fetuses and very young children are particularly sensitive to the effects of toxic chemicals." The report goes on to state that research estimates that "5% of childhood cancer and 30% of childhood asthma is related to chemical exposures." Many of these are found in sanitizers and disinfectants we use in our homes, schools, and daycares on a regular basis.
The Importance of Ongoing Sanitization in Our Society
If we learn anything from the current health crisis, we should learn that regular cleaning and sanitizing routines are important all the time. Many of the cases of the coronavirus were contracted and transmitted well before we knew we were doing it. The cleaner and more sanitized we are in the way we live, the better prepared we will be to avoid creating environments that make it easy for viruses to thrive. Germinator believes we are a part of the solution to this problem.
At Germinator, we've made it our mission to provide both residential and commercial consumers with a powerful way to sanitize and disinfect. We are a mobile sanitizing and disinfecting solution that brings a patent-pending process straight to the consumer.
Our Patent-Pending Process
We first test your surfaces for ATP using a luminometer to detect light that can come from cellular activity. This measurement immediately tells us the level of clean on your surfaces.
Our Genesis technology is a one-step cleaner and broad-spectrum sanitizer and disinfectant that harnesses the power of HOCl (hypochlorous acid) solution. Derived from naturally occurring minerals, Genesis 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 AOAC 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 eliminate bacteria and viruses that may reside in your environment without the use of harsh chemicals or fumes.
Next is the application of our bacteriostatic finish, known as Shield, which is a water-based quaternary ammonium compound that imparts a durable bacteriostatic finish to a wide range of non-food contact surfaces. It is EPA-registered as effective against mold, mildew, algae and odor-causing bacteria. This application creates an invisible barrier that combats deterioration and discoloration and promotes freshness for up to three months.
After our surface treatment and protectant services, we retest to ensure the surfaces have achieved the intended results.
Mobile Sanitizing for Convenience and Peace of Mind
Are you ready to take sanitizing to another level? To learn more about how to get Germinator to your location, call use at
855-NO-GERMZ (664-3769) or fill out the form here on our website. We're always happy to answer any questions you have regarding our company or how you can get a safer sanitizing option in your home, business, school system, or medical facility.
