Page 39 - School Infection Control Handbook - 2010
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Chapter 3: Development of Protocols
34
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Two-step cleaner/disinfectants
are
not
“effective in the presence of 5% body
fluids” and must be labeled and used only as a two-step process—that is, the
product must be used twice, once to clean and once to disinfect.
All other disinfectants require that surfaces be precleaned using a detergent (an all-
purpose cleaner) until they are free of dirt, grease, oil, and organic substances such as
blood. Detergents disperse and remove organic materials and dirt from surfaces,
reducing surface tension while increasing the penetrating ability of water. Proper
cleaning with high-quality microfiber and a detergent will remove up to 99% or more
of infectious material and render the surface visibly clean.
Because the cleaning step does not require a disinfectant, it is recommended to use
two different products (one to clean and one to disinfect) to reduce the amount of
toxic disinfectant used.
How will the use of microfiber assist in the disinfection process?
High-quality microfiber cloths and mop heads serve several roles in preparing a
surface to be disinfected. In addition to soaking up moisture and removing the
nutrients that microbes need to survive, high-quality microfiber with dense fibers can
remove microbes and bacterial spores.
1
(See also
Chapter 6.C. Using Microfiber
Cloths and Mops for Infection Control
.)
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References
1. J. Darrel Hicks,
Infection Control for Dummies.
Westerville, Ohio: International Executive
Housekeepers Association, 2008.
2. A. Rathey, “What Germs Are We Killing? Testing and Classifying Disinfectants.” The
Housekeeping Channel. Available at:
-
What_Germs_Are_We_Killing_Testing_and_Classifying_Disinfectants.
