At ProTeam, we are monitoring the dynamics of cleaning. Our focus still remains on how to most effectively clean, and COVID-19 has, in many ways, changed what it means to clean. In these times, the pressure on the cleaning industry is apparent – hygiene is front and center and cleaning is vitally important. As a vacuum manufacturer, we believe in the important role of vacuuming and dusting as key tasks in your routine cleaning.
We wanted to provide some updated and new links to public resources by agency experts that provide guidance on cleaning associated with COVID-19.
Recommended Resources
We recommend that you consult the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidance. We also recommend that you consult federal labor and employment standards as well as any laws regarding potential exposure and safety practices to answer COVID-19 related questions. For example, federal guidance recommends wiping down equipment with appropriate disinfectant wipes or spray, and that employees wear proper protective equipment while cleaning.
- The CDC has provided reopening guidance for cleaning and disinfecting public spaces: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html
- The CDC has regularly updated information on proper cleaning: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/clean-disinfect/index.html
- The CDC has issued guidance for cleaning and disinfecting your facility:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html
- OSHA has issued updated guidance for workers and employers working on COVID-related matters:https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/
As more and more places plan their reopening, we wanted to mention a few other considerations our team has been discussing.
The CDC references cleaning and disinfecting, and it is important to understand these definitions. The CDC defines these key terms as:
- Cleaning is the removal of adherent visible soil, protein substances, microorganisms and other debris from the surface;
- Sanitizer is an agent that reduces the number of bacterial contaminants to safe levels;
- Disinfectant is usually a chemical agent that destroys disease-causing pathogens or other harmful microorganisms but might not kill bacterial spores.
Importantly, the CDC suggests to routinely clean and disinfect as an important part of reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Creating More Time for Disinfection
Now is a great time to review ProTeam’s product offerings which focus on productivity, giving you more time for disinfection. The efficiency of vacuums is key for those handling routine cleaning. While comprehensive cleaning and sanitation needs may have changed, some level of vacuuming is likely part of your cleaning routine.
The efficient soil removal and cleaning speed of a ProTeam backpack allows you to more than double vacuuming productivity. In one hour you can clean 7,407 sq. ft. with a ProTeam backpack versus 2,875 sq. ft. with an upright. Or take it to the next level and clean with a ProTeam cordless backpack at 10,582 sq. feet an hour, based on ISSA 612 Cleaning Times.
In our portfolio, a ProTeam backpack or a cordless vacuum are key tools we can offer as you consider productivity and adjust your cleaning priorities to allocate more time for sanitizing and disinfecting. As we have in our 32 years in the industry, we want to understand your needs and how we can best serve you. As you support and clean facilities during this reopening phase, please reach out to ProTeam as a resource.
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