Virus Prevention 101: Expert Strategies for Disinfecting Surfaces

As experts in home restoration and repair, we at Five Star Restoration understand the importance of keeping your home safe and sanitary. In this guide, we'll share our insider knowledge on the best practices for disinfecting surfaces, focusing on industry standards.

Let's ensure your space is not just repaired but also a safe haven from viruses.

Understanding Viruses on Surfaces

Creating a safe home environment involves understanding the nuances of how viruses, including the notorious coronavirus, interact with various surfaces.

This knowledge is essential for effective and informed cleaning strategies, ensuring your family's health and comfort.

• Viral Longevity: Viruses display varying survival rates on different surfaces. Common touchpoints like door handles, remote controls, and countertops can often harbor these pathogens for hours or even days.
• Impact of Surface Type: The material of a surface influences how long a virus can survive. Non-porous materials like plastics and metals generally offer a more hospitable environment for viruses than porous materials like fabric or paper.
• Role of Environment: The surrounding temperature and humidity can also impact viral survival on surfaces. Cooler and more humid conditions tend to preserve viruses longer.

Why This Matters to You

• Reducing Cross-Contamination Risks: Understanding surface contamination is crucial, especially when someone in your home is ill. Effective surface hygiene helps in minimizing the spread of viruses.
• Prioritizing High-Touch Surfaces: Identifying and regularly disinfecting high-touch areas in your home is a crucial preventative measure.

Your Action Plan for Surface Hygiene

• Routine Cleaning: Start with regular cleaning using soap and water to diminish the presence of germs.
• Thorough Disinfecting: Follow up with suitable disinfectants to eliminate residual germs, adhering to the recommended guidelines for use.
• Keeping Informed: Stay abreast of the latest health advisories and research findings on virus prevention and control.

Industry Standards for Disinfection in Home Restoration

At Five Star Restoration, we're all about making sure your home is as clean and safe as possible after it’s been through a bit of a rough patch. 

To do this, we stick to some pretty important guidelines from the IICRC and EPA. Let’s break down what these guidelines mean and how they help us help you.

Understanding the IICRC Guidelines

• Setting the Standard: The IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) gives us the playbook for handling all kinds of clean-up jobs, whether getting rid of mold or dealing with water damage.
• Safety and Smarts: Their rules combine smart science with safe, practical ways to clean and restore your home. It’s like having a master plan that covers everything from A to Z.
• Expert Training: They also make sure we’re up to speed with the latest and greatest ways to clean and fix things, so you know you’re getting top-notch service

EPA Guidelines Basics

• Choosing the Right Cleaners: The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) tells us which cleaning products are best for tackling different germs, including tough ones like COVID-19.
• Using Products Safely: They guide us on how to use these products properly, ensuring we get rid of germs without causing any harm to you or your home.

How Five Star Restoration Puts This Into Action

• Following the Rules: We stick closely to these guidelines. This means when we come to clean and fix your home, we’re doing it by the book – the best way possible.
• Using the Right Stuff: We pick the safest and most effective cleaning products approved by the EPA so your home gets the care it deserves.
• Keeping Everyone Safe: Safety is a big deal for us. We make sure our team has the proper gear and your home is well-ventilated when we’re working.

Why Five Star Restoration Adheres to These Guidelines

• Top-Notch Service: Sticking to these guidelines means we’re bringing our A-game to every job.
• Safety and Quality: We ensure our work is safe, thorough, and of the highest quality.
• Building Trust: Knowing we follow these guidelines gives you peace of mind that you’re in good hands.

We at Five Star Restoration in Murrieta are all about making sure your home gets back to being cozy and safe, following the smartest and safest ways recommended by the IICRC and EPA.

Now that we've covered why disinfection is essential let’s talk about a burning question: what’s the difference between disinfection and sanitizing?

What is the Difference Between Disinfecting and Sanitizing?

Understanding the difference between disinfecting and sanitizing is crucial in maintaining a clean and safe environment in your home.

At Five Star Restoration, we often educate our clients on these differences, ensuring they make informed decisions about their home maintenance.

Here's a breakdown of what each process entails.

Key Differences at a Glance

Sanitizing

• Reduces bacteria to safe levels.
• Used for general cleanliness.
• Ideal for low-risk areas.
  

Disinfecting

• Kills a broader range of pathogens.
• Essential for high-risk areas.
• Follows stricter guidelines and uses stronger agents.

What is Sanitization?

Sanitizing refers to the process of reducing the number of bacteria and certain viruses to a safe level, as determined by public health standards.

It's about lessening the risk of infection, not eliminating it.

Sanitizing is typically less rigorous than disinfecting and is often used for surfaces that come into contact with food, children's toys, or areas where a sterile environment is not necessary, but basic cleanliness is desired.

What is Disinfection?

Disinfecting, on the other hand, is a more thorough process. It involves using chemicals to kill a wider range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, on surfaces.

This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but killing them on a surface after cleaning can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

Disinfecting is usually reserved for areas with a higher risk of pathogen transmission, such as bathrooms, hospitals, or areas exposed to illness.

How Do You Disinfect a House After COVID?

Got a case of COVID-19 at home and not sure how to clean up afterward? Don't worry; we've got you covered with straightforward tips on disinfecting your space.

At Five Star Restoration, we follow a comprehensive approach, ensuring every corner of your home is safe and virus-free.

Step-by-Step COVID-19 Disinfection Process

Getting Started

• Air It Out: Open windows and get a fan going to clear out airborne particles.
• Suit Up: Wear a pair of gloves. Disposable ones are best, but if you’ve only got reusable ones, make sure they’re only for cleaning.

Cleaning and Disinfecting: Step by Step

1. Clean Before Disinfecting: Start with soap and water to clean those surfaces, especially where you touch a lot — think doorknobs, countertops, and light switches.
2. Pick the Right Disinfectant: Look for products the EPA says are good against COVID-19. These usually have things like ethanol or hydrogen peroxide in them​​.
3. Follow the Rules: Each disinfectant has its own set of instructions — like how long to leave it on the surface. This is super important, so make sure you read the label.
4. Tech and Gadgets: Wiping down your phone, tablet, or remote? Use a 70% alcohol wipe and be gentle. You don’t want to damage them.
5. Soft Stuff: For things like sofas and carpets, clean them well with the right products, or throw what you can in the laundry.

Cleaning up your home after COVID-19 doesn’t have to be scary or complicated. With these simple steps, you can ensure your place is safe for you and your loved ones.

Keep up with regular cleaning of those areas you touch a lot. And keep airing out your home as much as you can.

The Importance of Professional Disinfection in the Inland Empire

While DIY methods can provide temporary solutions, professional disinfection services in Murrieta, Corona, and Riverside are crucial for comprehensive treatment, especially in cases of major water damage or mold.

Our adherence to IICRC guidelines ensures that we provide services that are not only effective but also safe and reliable.

Partnering with Five Star Restoration

• Expert Knowledge: Our team's expertise in IICRC guidelines means we can handle various disinfection challenges.
• Tailored Solutions: Every home is unique, and so are our disinfection strategies.
• Commitment to Safety: Your safety is our priority, and we uphold this through strict adherence to industry standards.

Safety is Paramount

In all our restoration projects, safety comes first. We ensure:

• Proper Ventilation: All areas are well-ventilated during the disinfection process.
• Protective Gear: Our team is equipped with the necessary safety gear, adhering to both IICRC and OSHA guidelines.

Conclusion

At Five Star Restoration, we're not just about fixing homes but about ensuring they're safe and healthy environments.

By following these expert disinfection strategies, you're taking a significant step towards safeguarding your home against viruses.

Ready for Professional Help?

If your home needs some care after a rough spot, we’re here to help. If you're facing home damage in the Inland Empire or need expert disinfection services, call us. We're here to restore and protect your home with the highest industry standards.