It is still fresh in our minds: the corona pandemic. For the cleaning industry it suddenly meant more visibility and appreciation and that is not surprising. Because good cleaning is essential for a healthy and safe living and working environment. This is now also evident from large-scale international research conducted by Erasmus+, to which SVS Schoonmaakopleidingen is affiliated in the Netherlands. Interested parties recently came together to learn more about safe and effective cleaning in pandemic situations.
Meeting at the Royal Visio in Huizen, the Dutch delegation of the international research team, consisting of Lydia Huizinga, Frans Tijsse Klasen and André de Reus, presented the research and the recommendations they have formulated for the cleaning industry. The aim of the study: to provide insight into basic activities of professional cleaning in controlling, protecting and combating in pandemic situations. De Reus: “It is necessary to know how to act as a cleaner to tackle the problem.”
Preparing for the future
The research was given the catchy name PandemicClean and was led by the Puhastusekspert OÜ research group in Estonia. In addition to the Dutch group, working groups from Finland and France also participated. The starting point was to analyze the pandemic: How did fifteen countries handle cleaning during Covid-19? What instructions did they draw up and from what starting point? This has bundled research teams with current knowledge from science. The team thus came up with advice for subsequent pandemics. It is a certainty that they will come. With the recommendations we can be better prepared and immediately adjust cleaning in the most effective way.
Microbiological contamination
“We talk a lot about pandemics, but what exactly are they? The RIVM indicates that it is certain that more pandemics will occur, but we do not know exactly when, how or what. So we decided to focus mainly on contact surfaces from a cleaning technical point of view. Because wherever the pandemic comes from, microbiological pollution can always spread quickly,” De Reus explained. This microbiological contamination can consist of various micro-organisms, from viruses and bacteria to fungi. Regarding those contact surfaces, the researchers found that in many countries four types of guidelines appeared: usually there was an instruction on the use and application of disinfectants, in some cases there were general guidelines for deep cleaning and specific guidelines for certain surfaces and rarely there were guidelines on good basic cleaning.
Links in the infection chain
So there seems to be a lot of room for improvement in terms of cleaning for future pandemics. Because cleaning, if done correctly, can play a crucial role in breaking the chain of infection. That chain is the journey that a micro-organism makes to humans, where it can possibly lead to an infection. The microbe is therefore the first step in the chain. Many microorganisms can survive on different types of surfaces over a period of time. De Reus: “Improper cleaning can increase the risk of contamination and infection. For example, if dirt is only smeared, microorganisms can continue to spread or even form a biofilm. This is a layer of microorganisms that is very attached to a surface. Biofilms are very tough to remove. If you clean carefully and frequently, you will not get biofilm. Provided you do this with the right means and methods and in the right order.”
It is the next link in the chain reservoir. De Reus explained: “The reservoir is a place where the microbes can stay alive and where they can multiply and grow. They need three things: moisture, temperature and light. A reservoir can be a person or animal, a tool, a surface or feces. It could be anything.” For the coronavirus, infected people were the most important reservoir.
In often equals out
It is the third link portal of exit. “That is how the microorganism leaves the reservoir. This could, for example, be coughing or sneezing, through blood or feces and skin contact,” says De Reus. Coughing and sneezing were also important ways in which the virus could spread in the case of corona. Not only directly, but also via air conditioning and air treatment systems, for example. That is the fourth link: the method of transfer. This can of course also happen via surfaces.
Wherever a pandemic originates, microbiological contamination can always spread quickly.”
It is the fifth link portal of entrance. De Reus: “Pathogens often enter the body as they have left the reservoir. So if it goes out through the mouth, it often comes back in through the mouth. So if pathogens leave through sneezing, they often enter through inhalation. Not always, but often.” At that point a person is infected and it depends on how susceptible one is host (last link) is whether an infection also develops.
Breaking the chain of infection
The chain of infection can be broken at every link to slow the spread of a disease. The faster you close the door on a pathogen, the faster you get a handle on it. Good cleaning can play an essential role in this. Clean equipment, careful work and knowledge of suitable cleaning equipment and methods are important. The research team proposed a number of actions. On the one hand, to protect the users of a space. And on the other hand, to protect the cleaning employee themselves and to guide them properly.
Recommendations: Protect users
It is impossible to make surfaces completely free of dirt and pathogens. But by cleaning thoroughly, you can reduce the level to an acceptable amount. Cleaning service providers must first know what is going on and be and remain up to date with information about the disease. The first action is therefore to carry out a risk assessment: How vulnerable are the users of the space? How seriously can the microorganism make us sick? And how does it spread? Then you draw up contingency plans. De Reus noted: “If something happens, we pull the plan out of the drawer and we can get to work.” An emergency protocol must be ready before the next pandemic breaks out. Especially in places where cleaning is an important item. Think of healthcare.
Cleaning and disinfecting
You then identify the most important buildings, spaces and contact surfaces that need to be cleaned. Including the materials they are made of. This has a major influence on how long a micro-organism can survive on it and can therefore remain dangerous when the disease spreads. And the material and its condition have a major influence on the cleanability of the surface. By identifying the most important surfaces, you can concentrate cleaning on the areas where you will make the most impact.
When you know where to clean, you want to identify which cleaners and disinfectants and cleaning methods and equipment are the most effective. De Reus argued: “Cleaners and disinfectants simply work differently. They have a completely different function. Cleaning is always necessary. During professional cleaning, microbes are removed from surfaces, but not always killed. The purpose of a disinfectant is to kill microbes and remove them so that a safe, acceptable residue remains. You will never get it sterile!”
Thoroughness, frequency and timing
According to the researchers, the thoroughness of the cleaning must absolutely be part of the quality assessment of the cleaning. Research showed that this sometimes falls short, which means that not all surfaces are cleaned well enough.
Not only thoroughness is important for proper cleaning. It must also be clear what the correct cleaning frequencies are and what the order and timing of cleaning should be. In many of the countries surveyed, there were only general guidelines for cleaning frequency. It stated that it was important to clean ‘regularly’. But what is regular? That aspect is of course dependent on information from the previous steps: What kind of pathogen are you dealing with and where is it mainly located? What is the best way to tackle this? And which spaces and users are you dealing with? In a pandemic situation, the timing may be different than in normal situations. For example, rooms may be occupied by infected people and it may be useful, for example, to postpone cleaning when a micro-organism is very contagious.
Feedback necessary
The three final actions that the researchers have formulated to protect users involve reviewing waste management, staying abreast of developments in cleaning products and equipment, and providing feedback. Feedback is necessary to gain insight into the effectiveness of the cleaning. From the service provider to the cleaning employee on the work floor. This feedback requires measurements, such as visual measurements, ATP measurements, microbiological measurements and making invisible dirt visible with UV light.
UV-C
In the context of developments in the field of cleaning, De Reus came up with UV-C. He first emphasized that you must always clean thoroughly for disinfection, regardless of the method you use. “During the research we quickly came across modern disinfection methods with UV-C. Disinfecting with liquid requires sufficient action and working time. If a cleaning employee wants to go home quickly and therefore does half work, the effect is zero. Most disinfectants require three to five minutes of contact time. You also need to know which pathogens you are going to combat. Which disinfectant should you use for this? And what resources, including personal protective equipment, do you need? The cleaner must also have the correct protective equipment. There is a lot of trampling, which means that people disinfect with their bare hands and inhale the product. Finally, the result must be checked. UV-C destroys 99.9 percent of the RNA and DNA of the unwanted microorganism. You only illuminate the surface for six to twenty seconds, depending on the type of microorganism.”
What is DNA and RNA?
Our hereditary properties are locked up in DNA. To express these properties, RNA is made to perform this task.
Recommendations: protect cleaners
Informed
After the risk assessment, it is essential to continue to communicate well about the pandemic with all cleaning staff. It is therefore important to have the right channels to quickly keep staff informed of the situation at their workplace. Furthermore, employees must be properly trained so that they are aware of safe and correct working methods. This way, not only is cleaning carried out correctly, but employees also know how to keep themselves safe. For example, during the corona pandemic, disposable gloves were recommended, as well as face masks and safety glasses or face shields for some tasks or in some areas.
Hand hygiene remains key
In addition to clear guidelines and the right training, one piece of advice remains paramount: correct hand hygiene. In a pandemic situation and beyond, hand hygiene is and remains the most effective means of preventing the spread of diseases. Cleaning employees must therefore also be aware of what good hand hygiene is and be alert to ensure that they apply it. Finally, cleaning staff must be aware of the procedure to follow if they themselves feel ill. Precisely because they occupy a critical position in pandemic situations, it is important that they know what the symptoms are and what to do if they show them.
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Sure! Here’s a witty, observational commentary on the article in a sharp, conversational tone inspired by the comedic styles of Jimmy Carr, Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais, and Lee Evans:
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So, it’s still pretty fresh in our minds, isn’t it? The global horror show known as the corona pandemic. You can practically hear the collective sigh of annoyance as we reminisce about those times we had to wash our hands until they looked like dried raisins. But fear not! Out of the chaos came the unsung heroes of our times—the cleaning industry! Yes, that right; those lovely folks who’ve always been there, quietly scrubbing away while we were busy pretending to work from home. And now, thanks to a little research conducted by Erasmus+ and our Dutch cleaning aficionados, we’re finally throwing some appreciation their way. It’s about time! Who knew that cleaning was such a science? Get ready to deep clean your understanding of… cleaning!
Now, at the Royal Visio in Huizen—not to be confused with any royal residence, mind you—an international delegation of cleaning experts gathered to present their findings. It’s like the Avengers of the cleaning world, but rather than fighting with capes and superpowers, they wield mops and disinfectants. Lydia Huizinga, Frans Tijsse Klasen, and André de Reus took center stage, probably wondering why they don’t get the recognition they deserve for tackling microorganisms at their source. “It’s necessary to know how to act as a cleaner to tackle the problem,” De Reus declared—and honestly, if I had a pound for every time I ignored the cleaning instructions, I’d have a very nice collection of mops by now.
Preparing for the Future
The research, delightfully titled “PandemicClean” (because let’s face it, who doesn’t want to spend their evenings reading up on deep cleaning techniques?), aimed to help us all understand what went wrong during this pesky pandemic. Fifteen countries were scrutinized, and boy, did they have some interesting cleaning lessons to share. Turns out, if you leave your cleaning to mere “regularly,” you might as well be tossing glitter around expecting it to fix the problem. Spoiler alert: it won’t!
Microbiological Contamination
Now, let me assure you, folks, that the microbiological contamination we’ve all been so eager to avoid is a fascinating alarmist tale. Not just about sanitizing those contact surfaces, but it’s quite a saga of bacteria, viruses, and fungi playing hide-and-seek. De Reus expressed expertly, “Wherever the pandemic comes from, microbiological contamination can always spread quickly,” as though he were auditioning for a role in a low-budget horror movie. And let’s not forget about everyone’s glorified nightmare: biofilms. Because who doesn’t want to have a full-blown microbial community living rent-free on their office desk?
Chains and Links
Then there’s this chain of infection thing, quite the buzzkill! It starts with the microbe, the party-crasher of every gathering—it knocks on your door uninvited and changes the whole vibe! The key to breaking this chain, according to our expert team, is proper cleaning. Think of it as the bouncer at a nightclub, making sure no sketchy microbes sneak in. “Improper cleaning can increase the risk of contamination and infection,” says De Reus… Like I always say, if you’re going to host an invisible party, make sure you’ve got the best clean-up crew in the industry!
Recommendations: Protect Users
It’s funny how in the bid to keep surfaces clean, we often overlook the human factor. Cleaners need to stay informed and protected just as much. It’s not just about sterile surfaces; it’s also about keeping cleaners safe, like outfitting them with the best armor—disposable masks, gloves, and a litany of cleaning products that make you feel like an alchemist. Because, evidently, you can’t just sprinkle “magic dust” and hope for the best!
Hand Hygiene Is Key
And don’t even get me started on hand hygiene—goodness gracious! In this wild cleaning saga, wash your hands is the refrain that proves to be timeless. The cleaning staff must implement it at every turn—after all, a dirty hand today could lead to a pandemic tomorrow. I mean, who wrote this script? Talk about rigorous!
So there you have it, folks. If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that cleanliness really is next to godliness—if godliness also comes with a spritzer bottle of disinfectant and a reliable mop in hand. Next time you see someone scrubbing away their life, nod appreciatively. They’re not just cleaning; they’re performing a public service! And as the research suggests, being prepared is the only way to go. Cheers to all the cleaners out there, the true champions in the battle against microbial chaos!
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Hope you enjoyed that blend of wit and insight! It’s a riot, and trust me, those cleaners deserve every rake and applause we can muster.
King sure only the right people—sorry, microbes—get in. You want to kick those pesky germs to the curb and, ideally, maintain a surface that doesn’t resemble a petri dish after a science experiment gone wrong. And let’s be honest, nothing says ‘I’m a responsible adult’ quite like giving your surfaces a good scrubdown now and then.
Cleaning, Disinfection, and the Differences
Now, we dive into the exciting world of cleaning and disinfecting—where things can get as confusing as a family reunion when no one remembers who’s who. De Reus hit the nail on the head: “Cleaners and disinfectants simply work differently.” It’s a classic case of “you can’t use a hammer to fix a leaky faucet.” Cleaning is about removing dirt and microbes, while disinfecting is all about that finish—killing germs and leaving behind a safe, acceptable residue. It’s like when you’ve tidy up your flat before guests arrive, only to realize you forgot to hide the pizza boxes. Sorry, guys, it was a wild Friday night!
Thoroughness, Frequency, and Timing
But wait! There’s more! It’s not just about scrubbing the surface till it shines like a diamond. You have to think about how often you’re doing it and in what order. Our researchers noted that cleaning schedules often sound like my New Year’s resolutions: vague and easily ignored. Just because you *can* clean ‘regularly’ doesn’t mean you should—after all, when was the last time you had a truly regular encounter with your vacuum cleaner? In a post-pandemic world, you need a game plan, folks, and timing is everything! Especially if a room’s teeming with contagions—you might want to hold off on that cleaning until the coast is clear. Remember, patience is a virtue…except when it comes to germs!
Feedback and the Not-So-Secret Ingredient
Now let’s talk about feedback. Not the kind you get after an awkward presentation at work, but the kind that actually helps us improve our cleaning! The service providers need to know how well things are going. It’s like owning a restaurant—no one wants to eat in a place that looks like a food fight just occurred. We’re talking visual inspections, ATP measurements (that’s ‘adenosine triphosphate,’ to the uninitiated), and the magic reveal of UV light. Nothing says “I promise I clean” quite like flashing ultraviolet onto stubborn grime, like a mini CSI episode right in your bathroom.
UV-C: The Future of Disinfection
Speaking of magic, how about UV-C? Oh yes, this snazzy tech kills 99.9% of those nasty microorganisms like it’s on a mission. But don’t you dare start blasting this light around unprepared! As De Reus wisely pointed out, proper cleaning is still essential first. It’s not a miracle cure! And wouldn’t that just be perfect—a quick zap and everything is pristine? Not quite, my friends. It’s a bit more complicated than that. Just like convincing your friends to go out again after all the lockdown measures. You need the right tools, the right training, and, of course, the right protective gear. Safety first, folks!
Stay Informed and Be Proactive
So how do we top all this knowledge? By ensuring our cleaning staff are informed, trained, and excited (or at least not rolling their eyes) about proper cleaning techniques. Clear communication is essential—let’s face it, we’ve all had that coworker who just doesn’t get it, haven’t we? And let’s not forget hand hygiene. It’s the golden rule! Whether it’s a pandemic or a casual Tuesday, clean hands save lives—simple as that. No one wants to be the cause of the office flu. Again.
The Final Word
So, as we walk away from this cleaning crusade, let’s remember: cleanliness isn’t just next to Godliness; it’s practically its own holy grail. Hats off to the cleaners and the art of cleaning itself! Keep scrubbing, stay vigilant, and for heaven’s sake, wash those hands. And, who knows? Maybe we’ll all come out a little shinier on the other side—much like that freshly polished dinner table after the family ‘festivities.’
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And who knows? Maybe next time you reach for that cleaning product, you’ll remember: there’s a whole team of dedicated professionals behind it, working relentlessly to keep the germs at bay while we binge-watch our favorite shows. Now, that’s a hero worthy of a round of applause—or at least a nod of appreciation as you retreat to your sanitized fortress. Cheers to cleanliness, the unsung superhero of our time!