Cleaning protocols and practices may have been enhanced in the wake of a global pandemic, but the notion of workplace cleanliness existed before COVID-19 and will continue to be emphasized far into the future.

While many organizations have been operating at reduced capacities and workforces seek greater flexibility amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, hybrid working models have quickly been adopted by many employers. A global study conducted by Google Workspace revealed 70% of respondents had never experienced remote working before the pandemic, but 75% believe that hybrid/flexible work will become a standard practice within their organizations in the coming years¹. With people not coming into their place of work as frequently, organizations may find themselves breaking away from designated workstations and embracing shared workspaces and hoteling, an approach that involves employees scheduling their use of workspaces. That means more communal spaces and more opportunities to spread germs and bacteria, resulting in illnesses and infections. It is critical that key stakeholders, such as facilities managers and employers, implement adequate cleaning policies and procedures to ensure the safety of their workforce and all building patrons.

Are You Using the Right Products for the Right Situation?

Science may have shown that plain soap and water are sufficient in killing the COVID-19 virus and don't need sanitizers or disinfectants, but other germs do. It's pivotal to select the right product, whether that be a cleaner, disinfectant, or sanitizer, for the microorganism you are trying to eliminate. Other factors to consider when choosing the proper solution are the type of facility you're cleaning, the threat level, method of transmission, types of surfaces, and how frequently these surfaces are being touched².

However, the reality is that many of us - including custodial staff - may not know the difference between cleaners, sanitizers, and disinfectants. Therefore, this can lead us to choose improper or less-than-ideal cleaning solutions for our situation and can proceed to misuse them².

Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitizing — What’s the Difference?

Cleaning

Regular cleaning agents, which can come in the form of liquids, powders, sprays, and even granules, help remove germs, dirt, dust, and other impurities from a surface or object. Typically, the act of cleaning involves water and soap or another type of agent to physically remove germs from surfaces. However, this process alone will not necessarily kill or eliminate the germs, but it does minimize the risk of spreading infections.

At Grand & Toy, we offer a wide selection of foaming and lathering hand soap so you can wash away those germs.

Disinfecting

Unlike cleaning agents that physically remove germs from the surface, proper disinfection kills microorganisms on the surface or object where the chemical was applied. Disinfecting a surface does not necessarily mean the surface is clean or absent of germs, but it can lower the risk of spreading infections by destroying the germs on the surface.

From brands that you know and trust, we offer a variety of disinfecting products in the forms of sprays, wipes, and cleaners that can be used in commercial settings or in the comfort of your home office.

Sanitizing

The process of sanitizing is typically a combination of both cleaning and disinfecting, wherein we physically remove the dirt and impurities (cleaning) and kill germs (disinfecting) from a surface or object.

You may confuse sanitizing for sterilizing or use them interchangeably, but they possess distinctive differences. Sterilization aims to eliminate and kill all forms of germs and impurities. Meanwhile, the act of sanitization tries to lower the number of germs on a surface or object to a safe enough level that reduces the risk of transmission.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a quick way to eliminate common germs and bacteria. From sanitizing wipes and sprays to the commonly used sanitizing gels, explore our assortment of sanitizing solutions now.

Refresh Your Stale Air

Now that we addressed the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing surfaces and objects, we’d be remiss if we did not highlight the importance of air quality. 

Indoor air is typically worse than outdoor air, as an enclosed environment often creates poorer air quality that is rich in germs, allergens, pollutants, and other pathogens.

With most employers still expecting their workforce to be present in the office at some point throughout the week, cleaner air quality is prudent for creating a healthier and safer work environment to reduce the transmission of airborne infections.

A good air purifier can help simulate ventilation while trapping particulates and other pollutants through a complex filtration process that can lead to cleaner air.

We can work with you to customize an air quality solution to meet your needs. Here are additional air quality devices you may want to consider in order to ensure optimal air quality:

• Heaters, fans, and air conditioners are helpful for optimal temperature control, which can help combat poor indoor air quality conditions that can lead to a decrease of productivity of 8 to 10%³.
• Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can help balance humidity levels, which plays a role in the health and safety of your organization, providing benefits to the occupants that include reducing airborne infections and minimizing eye and throat irritation.

Reach out to our experts for assistance with your organization's cleaning solution needs.

Enforcing enhanced cleaning practices should be a health and business mandate that can protect your workforce from outbreaks and help allow them to be comfortable and symptom-free throughout the year. 

Whether you are preparing to welcome your employees back to their place of work or have never left, our experts can identify solutions that will allow you to create a safer, cleaner, and more productive environment across your workplace. With years of experience supporting businesses and organizations across different industries, let us be your partner in workplace safety.