Due to high foot traffic and constant use, disinfecting floors in commercial buildings is often viewed as a wasted effort. However, there is growing awareness that dangerous superbugs can occur almost anywhere —including the floor. As a result, many facilities are paying increased attention to floor disinfection to minimize adverse effects on guests and the costs associated with harmful bacteria.
To ensure a facility is following best practices, it’s important to understand how contamination can occur and the products that can prevent it.
Most cleaning staff disinfect dispensers, railings and countertops to reduce cross-contamination. However, floors become contaminated through contact with shoes, spills and residual airborne bacteria. As pathogens can occur anywhere, it’s important to recognize the many ways they can be transported from the floor and spread to other critical surfaces.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that pathogens can be transferred through the air and by contact. In consequence, even though floors may not be considered a high-touch surface, it’s still a potential hotbed of bacteria if not properly disinfected.
In order to prevent the spread of bacteria, there are a few core products that every facility manager should use to disinfect floors effectively and efficiently including dusting tools, disinfectants, and mops.
Tools for Success
Dusting should be the first step in any floor cleaning routine. When selecting products, cleaning staff should use tools that trap, collect and discard dirt, dust and hair as opposed to products that simply redistribute debris. 3M™ Easy Trap™ Sweep & Dust Sheets are designed to trap and hold up to 8X more dust, dirt and sand than a conventional flat fringed cotton dust mop and are double-sided to maximize efficiency.
For a disinfectant, 3M™ MBS Disinfectant Cleaner Concentrates provide an easy way for cleaning staff to quickly disinfect a surface, as the product’s five-minute dwell time is perfect for high-traffic areas. It is also proven against a variety of microbes including Norovirus, MRSA, VRE and more. In cases where C. diff may be present, 3M™ C. diff Solution Tablets are a proven and effective alternative to bleach and peracetic acid disinfectants.
For the actual act of cleaning and disinfecting floors, the Scotch-Brite™ Professional 2-in-1 Flat Mop from 3M™ is a versatile, comfortable and durable product solution. The mop includes ergonomic features to help with cleaning fatigue, has a chemical dispenser to easily and accurately apply cleaner and disinfectant onto the floor, and features 3M™ Easy Clean Disposable Floor Mop Pads. Furthermore, changing disposable mop pads from room to room helps avoid cross-contamination and maintains sterility.
An efficient and effective floor cleaning and disinfecting program that features all of these components can help facility managers achieve surfaces that not only look clean but are also safe for contact. For more information on how to implement an effective cleaning and disinfecting floor program, visit 3m.com/disinfection.
