When church cleaning stewards disinfect after cleaning, they hit COVID-19 (and others germs) with a one two punch that substantially reduces risks to people inside the facilities.

Here’s how to do the process;

Use the right chemicals

The tried-and-true products you use for cleaning will not necessarily disinfect, as well. To be sure, go out and buy proper disinfectants such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide and chlorine.

If the last two names seem wildly unfamiliar, you can always use bleach products such as Clorox. This and other bleach products are a known commodity, cheap and widely available.

The dilution ratio for mixing bleach and water, the instructions for using these mixes on hard non-porous surfaces, and the contact time required to kill COVID-19 should be checked.

Read disinfectant labels

Disinfectants kill germs, so they are generally harsh to humans and even dangerous if not used as directed. This is why anyone cleaning, including church custodians, need to read disinfectant labels closely to ensure safety during the process.

In many instances use of PPEs like, protective gloves, eye wear, face shields, and clothing may be required, with requirements varying from disinfectant to disinfectant. Proper ventilation is also a must when working with products such as bleach.

Disinfectants need time to kill germs

Disinfectants need time to kill germs–the process is not instantaneous. For example, Clorox stipulates that, for its various COVID-killing solutions, the cleaners must “contact surface for at least five minutes” before being removed through a thorough rinse-dry process.

Disinfectant solutions should only be applied to surfaces that have already been pre-washed (cleaned) and rinsed, to remove visible dirt and eliminate the chance of chemical interactions between cleaners and disinfectants.

Actively rub the disinfectant into the surface

Cleaning stewards need to actively rub the disinfectant into the surface, so that all parts of it (including scratches and dents) get wet. The same is true for the rinsing process.

Using a handheld scrubber also ensures a consistent agitation speed and pressure.

Do not spray disinfectants

Spraying disinfectants can actually lift virus particles into the air, spreading them onto other surfaces and into the custodian’s breathing space.

Instead, use a bottle plus a microfiber cloth, disposable paper towel, or disinfectant-saturated wipe instead (do not flush) to apply the disinfectant.

Hot and strong aren’t necessarily better

When it comes to disinfectants–and cleaning solutions–making the mix hot and strong doesn’t necessarily translate into a better end result. In fact, too much heat can cause a disinfectant to vaporize dangerously into the air, while an excessive concentration may simply consume more product than necessary with no more germs being killed.

The rule of thumb: Read the labels to get the temperature and concentration correct.

It’s also worth noting that some industrial disinfectants can be purchased with dispensing stations that only release the right amount into the bucket for the right mix every time.