During this season Alkota is here to help all with all you cleaning needs. Currently we have some helpful insight from the CDC about the importance of sanitizing surfaces, and why hot water pressure washers are a great tool.
CDC has provided instructions on the following: cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing.
Cleaning– works best with soap (or detergent) with water to physically remove germs. This will help lower the number of spreading infection.
Sanitizing– this process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces, to lower risk of spreading. This process is a little more gentle than disinfecting.
Disinfecting– By killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
Sterilizing– Destroys or eliminates all forms of microbial life, by use of physical or chemical methods.
THE PRESSURE POWER WASH METHOD
Power washing is different from pressure washing. While pressure washing does not need to include hot water to remove stains, power washing is the mix of hot water and soap that emulsifies stains.
There are surfaces that are resistant to bacteria and virus by composition. However, they may not be resistant to sustaining bacteria and viruses once there is build up by biofilm. Biofilm can live on residue from body oils, pollen, waste products, food, animal and insect defecation, rain or humidity. To bring surfaces back to being resistant, you must conduct an initial deep cleaning, before sanitizing/disinfecting.
THE GEAR
Power washing requires all to wear proper safety gear. Use of chemicals, requires covering to reduce exposure to the chemicals.
These are the CDC requirements:
- Wearing eye protection or a face shield.
- Thick rubber gloves and coveralls to shield exposed skin.
- Rubber boots with steel toes for foot protection.
- Wear a N-95 respirator to protect the lungs.
- Brimmed hat is recommended to reduce sun ray and overspray.
THE PROCESS
Standard pressure washers can be used for sanitization cleaning. To make a pressure washer a power washer, a downstream injector is required. This allows you to pull soaps, chemicals and disinfectants through a hose after the pump to eliminate damaging the pumping system. A dual lance wand is also recommended.
CHEMICALS
CDC and WHO recommend using Sodium Hypochlorite (SH/bleach). Alkota also created Chlor Clean Detergent, which reduces the risk of cross contamination.
KNOCKDOWN PROTOCOL
It is recommended that before entering possibly infested areas to exercise the knock down protocol. This means using your dual lance wand spray, to spray the air ahead of you 10 feet. Since some infestations can become airborne. Soak all areas with 2% SH solution.
DEEP CLEAN
After the Knockdown Protocol, CDC recommends using the 2% SH solution on all surfaces. Brushing these surfaces can help add agitation to create a thorough deep cleaning. Solution must sit wet for 10 minutes, then removed either by cool water, or if available hot water. It is known that contaminates cannot live under 140 degree Fahrenheit temperatures.
CDC also recommends the following techniques for cleaning:
Vertical surfaces– apply cleaning solution from the ground and work your way up. Rinse solution starting from the top and working your way down.
Horizontal surfaces– apply cleaning solution by wetting the entire surfaces. Use a flat cleaner to thoroughly clean the area. Then rinse.
FINAL SANITIZATION
CDC recommends using a .005% cleaning solution with water to restore resistant surfaces. This solution should be allowed to dry, since it is low enough and should not cause harm to the treated surfaces.
PRESSURE WASHER MAINTENACE
Since using chemicals in your pressure washer to clean, it is recommended to thoroughly clean out your machine. Ignoring this step could result in the wear and tear of your machine. Rinse with cool water to remove. Additionally, any trailers, skids, trucks, used in the cleaning process should also be washed down with a neutralizing soap daily.
We hope these instructions and tips will help you in tackling your cleaning needs. Of course if you have questions, or need assistance in picking equipment or chemicals to help in your job, please reach out to an Alkota Distributor, we are here to help.
