21/12/2020
Tier 4
How does will it impact your business?
How will you make the most of your time being closed?
As many parts of the country have now entered the new Tier 4 category it is even more important to make sure you are doing everything you can to make sure a hygienic, safe and prepared workplace. The hospitality industry has already taken a huge blow this year, and more so now that further restrictions have been put in place.
It is important to make sure that you are using the most effective cleaning and sanitising products and services, that you are prepared and ready for the adaptions to your business and for reopening.
How efficient are your cleaning products and sanitisers?
2020 Has been tough on so many, for so many different reasons. We don’t have to remind anyone of the risks we are all facing with the current virus pandemic but We feel I can help by talking about some of the ways to help limit infection within hygiene and cleaning aspects.
The one thing we all have in common through recent times is making sure that our hygiene and cleaning regimes are up to scratch.
We have seen all too often over the past months so many people reaching for the first spray bottle that is cheap, simply because of clever packaging and wording.
‘Anti-bacterial’ being the most common, ‘sanitiser’ being the next, but how trustworthy are these products? Are you actually fighting efficiently against the current high-risk pathogens?
Sanitisers
Hand Hygiene is one of the most important hygiene practices. And a hand sanitiser plays an important role in hands hygiene.
During the first Lockdown in the UK, we saw a shortage of hand sanitisers. We also saw an increase in pricing.
Ideally, everyone should be carrying some kind of sanitiser on them when out of the house, whether it be at work, local playpark, school or public transport. But doing so is only effective if you are using a product that is actually going to protect you from the pathogens and viruses spreading.
Unfortunately, many sanitisers on the market do not have an efficient alcohol percentage or are alcohol-free and it is all too easy in current times to grab the first thing you see in fear you won't be able to get hold of any more in the future. It is really important that you check that whatever brand you choose to purchase, you make sure it is, in fact, an alcohol-based sanitiser and one that has an appropriate percentage of alcohol, this will help you avoid having a false sense of safety.
We have been told and reminded so often in the media to wash our hands regularly, this may well seem pretty self-explanatory, but is the way you are doing so actually enough? The fact is, it's probably not.
We have been told time and time again different ways to guarantee appropriate handwashing, for example how long to spend washing our hands and making sure we use soap as well as water. But Only washing your hands will not kill invisible germs, bacteria, and viruses. We are advised to Sanitise them with alcohol-based hand sanitiser too. This is also useful when water is not available. So, it is a no brainer that, should carry one at all times.
Handy tip Many healthcare studies have found that sanitisers with an alcohol concentration between 70–95% are more effective at killing germs than those with a lower alcohol concentration or non-alcohol-based hand sanitisers. Non-alcohol-based hand sanitisers may not work equally well for all classes of germs, bacteria, and viruses. The alcohol-free hand sanitisers merely reduce the growth of germs rather than kill them outright whereas alcohol-based hand sanitiser kills germs and bacteria completely. Alcohol-free hand sanitiser causes more skin irritation as compared to alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
Unfortunately, many sanitisers on the market do not have an efficient alcohol percentage or are alcohol-free and it is all too easy in current times to grab the first thing you see in fear you won't be able to get hold of any more in the future. It is really important that you check that whatever brand you choose to purchase, you make sure it is, in fact, an alcohol-based sanitiser and one that has an appropriate percentage of alcohol, this will help you avoid having a false sense of safety,
There are many on the market that are ‘pocket-sized’ or suitable for taking on aeroplanes too, so “if you must travel don’t travel alone” make sure you have your very own sanitiser friend with you.
Cleaning products
Now, this is where things get a little more tricky.
Are you effectively eliminating germs when you clean your house, office, or workplace? Or are you just taking away dust and grime? If you use the same all-around cleaner for each cleaning need you could just be leaving bacteria, viruses, fungus, and other microbial pathogens behind. It is important to know exactly what you are using and how they are working if at all. It is all too tempting to buy based on the price and scent of products, but how often do you actually look at the effectiveness and ingredients of the product?
Until 2020 I was guilty of just this, but this year has been a huge eye-opener for me and I really want to share what I have learnt with you, after all, we are all fighting the same invisible army (of pathogens).
Anti-bacterial – what does this mean?
You should invest in a good quality anti-bacterial spray to clean your environment correctly. There is a huge market for 'every day', products helping keep our homes, schools, offices, and other public places clean and hygienic. Used for Kitchen counters, office desks, bathroom sinks, and other high-traffic areas in homes and offices, where there are high chances of germs accumulating that can make people sick.
There is a difference between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitising. Cleaning products without antibacterial/antimicrobial ingredients will clean the surface, but they will typically not kill the germs on it. Many products marketed as antibacterial won’t work against a virus-like COVID-19. It is important to check first if they say they work against viruses as well as bacteria.
Finding effective cleaning products that Do work against Viruses
As concern around the spread of coronavirus grows and panic buying soap and cleaning supplies continues, It is important that you are using products that are as effective as possible. Keeping your home clean and disinfected will prevent the spread of coronavirus, and any other virus for that matter. Not only is it important to keep your home clean, you need to be using the right products to make sure any nasty germs are killed, using products with Hydrogen peroxide as its active ingredient is reported to be the most recommended, these are easy to come by, however, if you’re classified as vulnerable or your home, Workplace, educational setting and so on are high traffic areas it is even more important to make sure that the routines and products that you have in place will not only effective quickly but as long-lasting as possible. There are many specialist products on the market. So make sure you are looking for the right protective products for your home.
It is important to make sure that you are using the most effective cleaning and sanitising products and services, that you are prepared and ready for the adaptions to your business and for reopening. only products but Fogging systems and services too, to ensure that their customers are protected to the highest standard.
With branches Nationwide, specialising in the fight against Pathogens, Genie Bio Clean are here to help.
