Disinfecting Effectively in your Car, Home or Office!
Posted on by The Simoniz Team
As the world was introduced to the latest emerging pathogen known as SARS-CoV-2 or better known as it’s contracted form, COVID-19, the detailing industry is at the forefront of mitigation. As personal vehicles, rental cars and fleet vehicles are breeding grounds for such pathogens, we at Simoniz feel that the need for best practices in disinfection and sanitizing has never been greater. To begin, We always recommend that you consult the CDC website for the most up to date information regarding emerging pathogens such as SARS-CoV 2.
To best understand how to approach a detail service that includes disinfecting and sanitizing, it is best to understand some definitions. The first term to understand is what is a sanitizer and what does it do. In order for something to be considered a sanitizer for distribution, the FDA must be able to test and prove, using multiple test tubes, how effective a particular product against BACTERIA. Only then can a company be able to make sanitizing claims such as 99.9% effective. Even then, it is important to remember that bacteria is not the same as a virus. That being said there are many products that are both a sanitizer and disinfectant.
Viruses are different. They are not “alive” but need a host to thrive. A detailer would need an EPA proven disinfectant to eliminate the existence of viruses. The viruses that have been tested and proven eliminated will be noted on each product label. Typically the substrate plays a role as to which product is best for a given situation as most products on the market are only proven effective on hard surfaces and have not been proven effective on soft surfaces such as fabric. Please note that there are some products that exist which have been proven effective on both hard and soft surfaces. When it comes to detailing a vehicle, it is recommended have both hard non-porous surfaces as well as soft surfaces such as upholstery and carpet. There are of course exceptions to this with certain vehicles such as work trucks that use vinyl and plastics alone.
Another consideration is dwell time and coverage. Once again, the label will indicate what the effective dwell time will be for accomplishing a given task. For instance, a product will have a certain dwell time for use as a sanitizer against bacteria to an acceptable range of elimination. Similarly, there may be multiple dwell times listed on the label for use against a range of viruses as some are more difficult to eliminate than others. This is important to note as though SARS CoV -2 is the latest and most widely discussed today, it is not the only virus that we as detailers will encounter. For instance, Viruses fall into three major categories:
Small non-enveloped viruses are the most resistant. Large non-enveloped viruses are the next. The least resistant are enveloped viruses (such as SARS CoV-2). You will see that labels for disinfectants will have particular methods and instructions based on the different viruses. Attached is an example of a label for a hard and soft surface sanitizer. Please note that it has an EPA registration number for the company distributing, manufacturing and formula number.
Application:
When applying disinfectants within a vehicle, the most important rules are ensuring full coverage and maintaining the proper dwell time as stated on the label of any particular disinfectant for the purpose at hand. Trigger and pump sprayers can be used, but care is needed to ensure that all surfaces are covered completely and remain wet for the needed dwell time. Please note, that the CDC does not consider disinfectants to be effective in the air, but rather on surfaces. Some people are using foggers, which will work as long as the surfaces are in fact creating a large enough droplet to maintain the dwell time needed. The best application tool for disinfecting is an electrostatic sprayer https://shop.simoniz.com/products/electrostatic-sprayer-sanitation-kit/
with positively charges the product as it is sprayed which attracts to negatively charged surfaces (such as those in a vehicle). Basically the electrostatic sprayers ensure even coverage and turns the disinfectant that is being sprayed into a magnetized liquid that clings to the surfaces. They may be costly, but work significantly faster and are more efficient than any of the other options.
See the following noted on the CDC Website entered September 6th 2020, "Disinfection using EPA-approved disinfectants against COVID-19 can also help reduce the risk. Frequent disinfection of surfaces and objects touched by multiple people is important."
A Few Important Reminders about Coronaviruses and Reducing the Risk of Exposure:
- Coronaviruses on surfaces and objects naturally die within hours to days. Warmer temperatures and exposure to sunlight will reduce the time the virus survives on surfaces and objects.
- Normal routine cleaning with soap and water removes germs and dirt from surfaces. It lowers the risk of spreading COVID-19 infection.
- Disinfectants kill germs on surfaces. By killing germs on a surface after cleaning, you can further lower the risk of spreading infection. EPA-approved disinfectants are an important part of reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19. If disinfectants on this list are in short supply, alternative disinfectants can be used (for example, 1/3 cup of bleach added to 1 gallon of water, or 70% alcohol solutions).
- Store and use disinfectants in a responsible and appropriate manner according to the label. Do not mix bleach or other cleaning and disinfection products together—this can cause fumes that may be very dangerous to breathe in. Keep all disinfectants out of the reach of children.
- Always wear gloves appropriate for the chemicals being used when you are cleaning and disinfecting. Additional personal protective equipment (PPE) may be needed based on setting and product.
You can see all Simoniz Disinfectants and Sanitizers here to find the one that best fits your needs. https://www.simoniz.com/industrial-healthcare/corona-virus/
*Prior to any interior disinfectant process the vehicle must be pre-cleaned of soils and gross filth.
The Process:
Be sure to have all proper Personal protective equipment before starting. This should include non porous gloves, the proper NIOSH approved respirator which should include ratings for particles as well as vapor and gas. Don’t forget full coverage eye protection as well as the normal workplace safety PPE such as ear plugs, the proper footwear etc.
1. Before technicians enter, vehicles may be sprayed with an EPA-registered cleaner-disinfectant on exterior door handles and move to the interior. This is for the safety of the technician. Note that you should be using a product that is designed for automotive interiors. Be sure to focus on the high touch areas such as steering wheel, knobs, touch screens etc. Next, remove any loose objects in the car (i.e. toys, electronic devices, food...etc.).
Clean surfaces of visible dirt, dust and heavy soils. Vacuum floors, seats, and other areas where gross filth has collected. If needed, use compressed air to blow out hard to reach areas, and make sure your team is equipped with proper eye protection.
2. Complete your interior detail service as usual
2. Apply disinfectant. Disinfectant applications should not deviate from the described directions on the EPA-approved product label. When applied according to the manufacturer’s label, these EPA approved disinfectants are recognized as effective for use against the SARS-CoV-2 Virus, COVID-19 infection. Be responsible, follow all of the instructions on the label, and be sure to note the dilution, concentration, application methods, and ‘contact time’. Be sure to focus on navigation, touch screens, gauge clusters and all high touch areas. You will also want to treat the key fob.
‘Contact time’ is a critical component to the performance and execution of the products being used. It is vital, if you are truly trying to disinfect the vehicle’s interior surfaces, that you allow the proper (wet) contact time according to the directions on the manufacturer’s label. Be firm, do not skip steps or shave time to avoid compromising the effectiveness of the product.
3. After the product has remained wet for the proper dwell time, wipe down of all surfaces to remove any excess product. Finish with inside glass cleaning and finishing details.
Be sure to clean all used tools and clothing as well as follow all CDC recommended behavioral practices to keep yourself, employees and customers safe.
Stay safe ,
Thomas Palancia CD,SV - RT
Simoniz USA Inc.
December 11,2020