Best Practices for Safe and Effective Cleaning and Disinfecting

1- Develop a Plan

Write down the standard operating procedures for cleaning and guidelines for when sanitizing or disinfecting may apply. Tip: Include schedules both for routine activities and those performed periodically.

2- Basic Cleaning or Disinfection

Start by asking, is disinfection necessary for the well-being of my facility? If not, you can use detergent and water or an all-purpose cleaner.

3- Establish a clean routine for frequently-touched surfaces such as:

Light switches, railings, equipment, doorknobs, workstations, and countertops.

4- Go for less-hazardous ingredient products

If you determine disinfection/sanitization is necessary, try using chemicals approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

5- Provide information and train your staff

According to OSHA’s standards, ensuring cleaners’ training on chemicals used in workplace hazards is a must for every organization: the staff needs to know the correct usage of the products, their potential symptoms and risks, and the appropriate protective equipment to handle them.