For more obvious—and not so obvious—cleaning chemical best practices, follow these tips from the Center for Biocide Chemistries:
- Pay close attention to whether personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used. In some instances, directions will advise using the product in a well-ventilated space. Disregarding label instructions or attempting to take shortcuts can result in serious consequences for both the professional cleaners as well as the inhabitants of these spaces.
- Always clean up any disinfectant spill immediately, no matter how small. Also, do not attempt to put spilled or used product back into its container. Instead, clean up any spillage right away and then properly dispose of the materials.
- Never remove disinfectants or other cleaning products from their original containers and put into unlabeled containers. This can result in accidental and improper use of the product, which can have serious and harmful consequences.
- Before using a disinfectant, check the surroundings to ensure that there are no open flames, exposed food or other consumables, or individuals not wearing appropriate PPE, if applicable.
- Make sure that all professionals wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after working with disinfectants even if they wore gloves or other protective clothing during application.
- Ensure that any employee who is inadvertently exposed to a product via inhalation or ingestion, or who exhibits symptoms of being exposed, reports the incident to a supervisor or medical professional. If further information is needed, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
For more practical tips, read Prevent Cleaning Chemical Mistakes.
Posted On September 1, 2021
