10 Steps to DEEP CLEAN during an office closure

As many offices across the country are shutting down to contain the potential spread of COVID-19 now is the time to complete the deep cleaning process.

Below is a step by step guide

1. Make sure the disinfectant you’re using is approved for use against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Confirm whether your disinfectant is approved for use by contacting the manufacturer and searching the product’s TGA registration # on the https://tga-search.clients.funnelback.com/s/search.html?query=&collection=tga-artg, a list created by ARTG that contains products that meet ARTG criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2.
2. Disinfect all touch points, not just the frequently touched surfaces. To make the process easier, consider using equipment such as electrostatic sprayers, foggers and misters to make sure hard to reach surfaces are not missed.
3. Make sure the custodial staff are properly trained and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
4. Remove any visible soil with a detergent-based cleaner before applying a disinfectant and follow instructions on the product label for effective disinfecting. Some disinfectants are also cleaners and therefore, can be used for both steps.
5. Ensure surfaces remain visibly wet for the contact time specified on the product label. This timing is crucial to ensure virus and bacteria is killed.

To minimize cross contamination, here are additional considerations when disinfecting surfaces.

6. Disinfect surfaces from clean areas to dirty areas. For example, restrooms being one of the highly contaminated areas should be cleaned last.
7. Disinfect surfaces from high areas to low areas so that any dirt or dust that may contain germs dislodged from above are removed when you clean the lower surfaces.
8. Disinfect last after other activities (including emptying trash, removing visible soil and vacuuming) are complete, so that any potentially contaminated dirt and dust don’t re-contaminate already disinfected surfaces.

Lastly, the Australian Government Department of Health has specific recommendations for when a COVID-19 case has been confirmed in your facility. These recommendations include:

9. Close off areas used by confirmed or suspected COVID-19 persons and wait for 24 hours, if possible, before beginning cleaning and disinfecting to minimize potential for exposure to respiratory droplets.
10. Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area.