Surface disinfection - Disinfect surfaces correctly

Is regular cleaning not enough?

In ordinary households with healthy occupants, simply wiping surfaces with standard household cleaners or even just clean water is often enough to keep the number of germs at a low level. However, as soon as you are dealing with influenza pathogens, staphylococci, salmonella, or other dangerous and persistent germs, affected surfaces should be disinfected.

Work surfaces where food is prepared could also provide a breeding ground for dangerous germs. Raw meat in particular is a risk factor here. There are reliable disinfectants for all food-handling areas that leave no residue but reliably kill germs.

Eliminate the risk of infection from contaminated surfaces

The immune system of a healthy adult can withstand a surprising amount. Apart from occasional colds, serious infections are rather uncommon. Children, older people, or individuals with weakened immune systems, on the other hand, are more susceptible to infections. And the greater the amount of germs that assail the immune defenses, the more likely they are to overcome them.

In winter, many contagious illnesses such as flu and colds are more prevalent. If more people in your surroundings are ill, the risk of you becoming infected naturally increases as well. One of the most common causes of infection is the transmission of viruses or bacteria through contact transmission. When you touch a contaminated object or a sick person or animal, you unknowingly "smear" a large number of germs onto your hand. They adhere to the skin and soon reach the mucous membranes when you touch your nose, eyes, or mouth.

Open wounds are particularly popular entry points for smear infections - even when they are only tiny scratches. Food or drinking water can also quickly come into contact with pathogens due to inadequate hand and surface hygiene. In addition to aggressive gastrointestinal pathogens, hepatitis, herpes, or polio viruses can spread through smear infections, for example.

Especially harmful pathogens that cause gastrointestinal diseases can survive in the air for long periods and remain viable on contaminated surfaces for months at a time. Door handles, telephones, computer keyboards, and other objects that we frequently touch in everyday life eventually become a habitat for true colonies of bacteria and fungi. Various studies on this subject produced unappetizing results - for example, average computer keyboards often harbor more germs than a toilet seat.

Especially in offices or public buildings, where many different people touch the same door handles, use the same keyboards, and visit shared restrooms, pathogens are spread via the hands.

Among the best protective measures in everyday life is washing your hands after using the toilet, before and after eating, etc. In open-plan offices, public authorities, and other heavily frequented work environments, hand disinfection is sometimes even recommended, as the risk of infection is very high there. The next flu wave is sure to come, and pathogens such as the coronavirus also quickly spread to new hosts in the confined spaces of office buildings. In medical risk areas or laboratories, hand disinfection is of course mandatory.

Unfortunately, too many people still do not wash their hands thoroughly enough in everyday life or skip washing their hands altogether after using the toilet. Especially after a bowel movement, this can lead to the spread of dangerous E. coli bacteria, for example.

Escherichia coli

These bacteria, also known as E. coli bacteria, colonize the intestines of humans and animals. In the human body, E. coli is responsible for producing vitamins - especially vitamin K. They are therefore present in large numbers in excreted feces. From there, due to inadequate hand hygiene after using the toilet, they can reach the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, or eyes.

In fact, by no means all E. coli bacteria cause disease. The few dangerous strains are all the more potent. They can cause severe diarrheal illnesses. Contamination with Escherichia coli is therefore particularly dangerous for people with weakened immune systems.

(https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escherichia_coli)

Many other bacteria can also survive on surfaces for a long time - if conditions are favorable, they could even continue to multiply significantly. Grease deposits, dirt crusts, or surfaces softened and swollen by persistent moisture provide germs with an ideal breeding ground.

How are surfaces properly disinfected?

To answer this question, we follow procedures used in professional medical settings. There are three different levels of surface disinfection.

Ongoing disinfection: This routine surface disinfection is carried out as a preventive measure on work surfaces, furniture, floors, etc. It most closely resembles normal household cleaning, although disinfectants are of course used.

Targeted disinfection: If surfaces are visibly contaminated with blood, pus, urine, or other bodily fluids, the contamination is specifically removed using strong surface disinfectants. This intensive disinfection is also carried out when the presence of harmful germs is known - for example, during a flu epidemic. Targeted surface disinfection is also often necessary when caring for bedridden or incontinent patients at home.

Terminal disinfection: After a death or the transfer of a heavily contaminated patient, all surfaces and objects that were in the sick person's surroundings are specifically disinfected.

In a household with healthy people, regular cleaning should be sufficient, combined with targeted surface disinfection in the event of occasional contamination. As soon as family members are suffering from contagious diseases, ongoing disinfection once or several times a day should be considered. If several rooms or larger areas are disinfected, prepare new disinfectant solution several times in between. Also change the cleaning cloths and rags.

Disinfect or dispose of aids after use

Be sure to remember to disinfect all aids that you used to carry out surface disinfection. These include brushes, cloths, and cleaning gloves, as well as buckets and tubs in which the disinfectant solutions were prepared. If you care for relatives at home, it is advisable to have a separate set of aids for their care area.

Textiles in particular should be used carefully in germ-rich environments. Bacteria and fungi can multiply very well in damp cleaning cloths. After contact with dangerous pathogens, dangerous concentrations of microorganisms could form in them. Therefore, reusable cloths or cleaning wipes should be washed after use with a disinfectant solution and machine-dried.

Alternatively, you can use disposable products that can be thrown away after use. However, reusing equipment and aids made of durable, disinfectable materials is more environmentally friendly.

Our range also includes wipes for surface disinfection in practical dispenser tubs. Find out more about the various surface disinfectants further down this page.

Do all surfaces need to be disinfected?

In private households, the risk of contamination is normally lower than, for example, in hospitals, where new germs are constantly brought in from outside. It is not without reason that there are quarantine or intensive care units with very strict clothing and disinfection rules. In such facilities, a disinfection plan meticulously records where, when, and what must be disinfected.

Here is an overview of the surfaces that should be disinfected regularly to prevent the spread of germs:

• All surfaces that are frequently touched by different people, e.g. door handles, telephones, keyboards, etc.

• Whether in a hospital or in home care - patient beds, treatment chairs, bed frames and other surfaces near the patient are disinfected.

• In restaurants or canteens, all surfaces should be disinfected where food is prepared or ingredients are laid out.

• In sanitary areas used by different people, toilet seats, bathtubs, washbasins, taps and changing tables must be disinfected.

• Surface disinfectant concentrates are suitable for tiled floors and tiled walls.

• All medical devices that come into contact with patients or are located near patients must be disinfected, e.g. monitors, control panels and cables of diagnostic devices.

• In high-risk areas - for example, where there are patients with highly resistant pathogens - all surfaces are disinfected with very powerful agents.

What types of disinfectants are available?

From highly effective standard disinfectants to biocidal and virucidal surface disinfectants for high-risk areas - you will find an online shop with an extensive selection. We offer products approved for the professional medical sector. These surface disinfectants are of course also suitable for private households.

Whether you have been suffering from stomach flu yourself or provide long-term care for relatives at home - it is advisable to keep surface disinfectants on hand.

Concentrates

• If larger areas need to be disinfected frequently - e.g. floors or work surfaces - concentrated disinfectants are suitable for a sustainable approach.

• Long shelf life and usually highly effective at very low concentrations.

• A freshly prepared solution generally keeps for about one day and should be used promptly.

Rapid disinfection solutions

• Ready-to-use surface disinfectants for fast and targeted disinfection.

• Especially practical for on the go - often available in spray bottles.

• They usually contain alcohol-based solutions - therefore use them only to a limited extent and keep them away from flames or hot objects.

• Ideal for toilet seats and telephone receivers or other frequently used surfaces.

Surface disinfectant wipes

• Soft material (usually nonwoven fabric) soaked in disinfectant solution.

• Packaged in dispenser containers or soft packs - simply dispense individually.

• Perfect for on the go, as there is no risk of leakage.

• Some disinfectant wipes can even be prepared with the desired solution.

• Available in alcohol-based and alcohol-free variants.

Always follow the packaging instructions for all surface disinfectants regarding material compatibility. For example, alcohol-based solutions can damage coated floors. Some disinfectants can leave discoloration on plastic surfaces after prolonged use.

You should also be sure to avoid mixing disinfectants with ordinary cleaning products. This not only reduces their effectiveness - it can also lead to staining on treated surfaces. Instead, use combination solutions that both clean and disinfect.

Of course, our range also includes disposable gloves and other protective clothing such as face masks or safety goggles, which should be worn when cleaning and disinfecting in environments contaminated with germs.

Conclusion - Surface disinfection is the safe way

If you want to be on the safe side and ensure that dangerous pathogens do not reach dangerous concentrations on your floors and other surfaces, professional surface disinfectants are the best solution.

In our range, you will find not only surface disinfectants but also many other disinfectants. For example, for skin and hands or for manual or automated instrument disinfection. Take a look and protect yourself against dangerous germs on all surfaces.