Learn about how to remove the Coronavirus
The novel Coronavirus has taken over the world this year and many people are out buying all the cleaners, sanitizers, and disinfectants they can to help prevent the spread of this unpredictable virus. As we purchase what we can, have you thought about what the difference is between a cleaning product, sanitizing product, or a disinfectant? By definition the difference is this:
Cleaner
It is a product that removes heavy soils and proteins from the surface.
Cleaners only remove the dirt you see from the surface. There could be bacteria and viruses left over since the product is not made to reduce harmful pathogens.
What is a Pathogen?
“A pathogen or infectious agent is a biological agent that causes disease or illness to its host.”
Science Daily
Sanitizer
A sanitizing product is to be used after a cleaner and sanitizes certain bacteria away.
Disinfectant
A disinfectant is also to be used after a cleaner and it is used to control (remove) a virus.
If you are looking for products that remove/control viruses, like the coronavirus, use disinfectants. Sanitizers are also important and should be used as well to remove harmful bacteria and cleaners are important to make sure the sanitizers and disinfectants work properly.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tests products against their strict guidelines to see if they fit certain categories. Products used to kill viruses and bacteria on surfaces are registered as antimicrobial pesticides according to the EPA. Sanitizers and disinfectants are two types of antimicrobial pesticides (EPA.com). The hand sanitizers, antiseptic washes, and antibacterial soaps people use are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) not the EPA.
The FDA recommends following the guidelines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends for use of hand sanitizers. The CDC recommends consumers use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol (FDA.gov). Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can inactivate many types of microbes when used correctly.
What is a microbe?
“Microbes are tiny living things that are found all around us and are too small to be seen by the naked eye. They live in water, soil, and in the air. Some microbes make us sick; others are important for our health. The most common types are bacteria, viruses, and fungi.”
National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
How do Pathogens and Microbes Relate?
“Microbes that have the potential to cause disease (such as a virus (cold)) are called pathogens.”
Microbiology Society
To correctly use hand sanitizer you must apply the amount suggested on the product label and then rub the product all over the surfaces of your hands until your hands are dry again (CDC).
When using hand sanitizer, you must make sure your hands are not dirty or greasy. Since hand sanitizer does not clean your hands, the effectiveness of sanitizers lowers as it merely reduces the growth of germs instead of killing them. The CDC talks about the science behind hand sanitizer and when to use it here “Show Me the Science – When & How to Use Hand Sanitizer in Community Settings”. If you want to see frequently asked questions to the FDA regarding COVID-19 check out their page here “COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions”. That page also gives you access to more articles related to COVID-19 such as Hand sanitizers and COVID-19 FAQs, FAQs on ventilators, Food safety, and COVID-19 FAQs, and many more.
Going back to disinfectants, did you know that the EPA has created a list of products that kills the Coronavirus? You can also check the product you are currently using in their system to see if it does the job you want it to. When looking for your product first locate the EPA product number on the back of your product and then search that number in the list’s database. If nothing shows up, then the product your using is not as effective against COVID-19. For example, Crickler uses Diversey Virex® II 256 One-Step Disinfectant Cleaner and on the back of that product, it says, “EPA Reg. No. 70627-24”. If you look that number up on List N you will see the product on it! Check out the list here “List N: Disinfectants for use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)”. Along with finding the right disinfectant for the job, make sure you are following the specified instructions for that product. Here is a simple 6 step process the EPA recommends for safe and effective disinfectant use.
At Crickler Vending we ensure our associates and clients are safe by following the CDC guidelines and using disinfectants that are EPA List N approved. We encourage our customers to reach out to us if they have any concerns regarding our sanitation processes and we will be happy to discuss that with them. We want to make sure our customers feel safe in their own breakroom while also keeping our associates safe.