Never before has there been as much emphasis on disinfecting your home or workspace. The outbreak of a global pandemic has seen everyone cleaning, sanitising and disinfecting at an unprecedented rate. Commonly touched “hotspots” create an environment for germs to grow. So, it’s time to take action.

For one thing, it is necessary to have clear cleaning and disinfecting guidelines for home and office environments. And don’t worry: a disinfected space shouldn’t be something you skimp on if you don’t always have the time or resources. A reputable disinfecting service in your area can easily do the job for you while you go about your daily business.

Read on for some tips and inside info so you know how important this task is.

Know the Difference Between Cleaning, Disinfecting and Sanitising

To effectively clean, disinfect or sanitise your home or office space, you need to know the difference between the three. A common misconception is that one of these actions is the same as the others. The difference between these three functions is as follows:

• Cleaning: By definition, cleaning refers to the physical removal of dirt, germs and other impurities found on surfaces, objects & floors. This would then refer to general cleaning done with water and detergents. 
• Disinfecting: After general cleaning, disinfecting can be done. This is the process where bacteria pathogens are destroyed. Common bacteria killed by proper and extensive disinfecting include E. coli, staphylococcus, salmonella and legionella to name but a few. All these bacteria can be found in both homes and offices, where many people use or touch the same spaces. The disinfecting processes involve alcohol or bleach-based products. 
• Sanitising: Sanitisation refers to the process that reduces further growth of fungi, viruses and disease-causing bacteria. This is when microorganisms and pathogens are removed from objects to restore your space to an acceptable health standard. Stronger chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide are used for this process. 

It is important to know the difference between these cleaning processes so that you can best ascertain which is needed for your space. Three vital reasons to disinfect your space sooner rather than later are discussed below.

The 3 Reasons to Take Action Today

Bacteria—The Invisible Enemy

Every space that is continuously occupied by people is susceptible to become germ hotspots. These are items that are continuously being touched, but not necessarily sanitised as often. 

Take a second to think of all the things you touch on a daily basis in your office and home environments. For instance, your keyboard and mouse, remotes, door handles, chopping boards, kitchen sponges, toilet handles, taps, railings…the list goes on. Now ask yourself when last any of those items were disinfected. Then ask yourself how many other people have touched those very same items. Once you start doing the math in your head, it starts getting a little bit scary. 

Environments that are not properly cleaned, disinfected and sanitised are vulnerable to contamination and infections. Bacteria are like invisible little assassins travelling from person to person or person to surface or even surface to surface. 

While it is true that not all bacteria are bad, it still remains necessary to ensure that the bad bacteria is removed from the environment as far as is possible.

Mould and Mildew

Another very convincing reason to get your home or office sanitised is to prevent or clear up mold and mildew build up. Easily identified as black or green patches, certain types of fungus are caused by excess moisture. These can often grow in drywalls, behind wallpaper, under carpets and even wooden products. Mould can also form on your shower curtains in the form of small black dots.

Inhaling mould spores can lead to multiple health issues. Such conditions include bloody noses, coughing, sore throat, and sever fatigue & can even lead to asthma attacks. Extended exposure to mould and mildew can lead to more severe respiratory ailments.

Thankfully, effective disinfecting and sanitising will inhibit the growth of mould and mildew.

Disease Prevention   

Microorganisms are germs that could potentially make you sick. Commonly one-celled organisms, they can cause illnesses such as influenza, skin infections and even gastroenteritis. Bacterial pathogens have recently been implicated as being co-factors in different cancers.

You’ve probably had the experience where you walk into a public bathroom, and immediately walk out again because it just wasn’t sanitary. Well, you weren’t wrong to trust your gut. Studies have shown that certain life threatening strains of staphylococcus have been found in bathrooms used by many people, such as public bathrooms or office bathrooms. 

If you work in an office or store environment that accommodates a lot of people every day, it’s vital to sanitise as often as is required to maintain public health standards.

And Finally

It’s not all doom and gloom though. There is no need to spend every waking moment disinfecting every inch of your space. Strive to maintain a healthy environment that abides by general health standards for the safety of everyone who enters the space, by simply implementing basic rules and getting professionals to clean once in a while. 

Besides, isn’t there something very refreshing about a crisp clean space that’s just good for your general well-being and uplifting to your spirit?