What Is the Best Surface Cleaner For Cleaning and Disinfecting Schools?

It has been months now since the COVID-19 pandemic locked down and silenced the world. Until now, everything is scary, overwhelming, and stressful. However, all countries are beginning to set up mechanisms and approaches to allow people’s lives to start the “new normal” setting and continue day-to-day activities. And in this article, we will discuss how to properly clean and disinfect schools using the best surface cleaner that is purely safe and organic. 

Schools are one of the most affected sectors in our community. The disruption of classes contributes to a change in norms among children. Hence, school closures also contribute to psychosocial distress among children. Governments are using every means to maximize and open schools to at least proceed with the educational activities. Not all countries, communities, and families have the capability of using digital methods to access education. Governments must open schools but should do so by exercising full precautionary measures. One of the most effective ways to fight COVID-19 and keep our children safe from infectious diseases in school is by proper disinfection. The CDC has released guidance for cleaning and disinfecting all institutions, including the schools.

Understanding the Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting

Many of us are confused, or sometimes we mean the same thing when we talk about cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. In the midst of COVID-19, parents and teachers need to make sure they clearly understand the differences between these terms for the safety and welfare of our children.

• Cleaning means the removal of dirt and impurities on a surface or an object. It works by applying soap or detergent with water. It would be best if you used friction to remove the dirt and germs on the surfaces physically.
• Sanitizing is the lowering of the number of germs on surfaces to a safe threshold level according to health standards. The process works by applying sanitizing solutions during cleaning.
• Disinfecting is the total killing of germs and pathogens. It works by applying chemical solutions. It does not necessarily need the surface to be clean when you disinfect. The complete elimination of viruses can either lower or prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

The Safest Way to Clean and Disinfect Schools

The CDC guideline mandates that all school authorities and personnel conduct routine and regular disinfection of frequently- touched surfaces. The most frequently-touched surface in schools is tables and chairs. Thus, in doing disinfection, child safeguarding procedures must still be for the utmost best safety of children. The school community must use safe ways of cleaning and disinfecting tables and chairs. Below are a few recommendations:

1. Choose the least toxic or non-toxic disinfecting products that are proven to be effective in fighting viruses.

When cleaning, you can use any soap and detergent and clean water. Use microfiber material when cleaning and wiping surfaces. For disinfection, the CDC advises using green solution products approved by EPA, especially avoiding ones that children can be vulnerable to the toxic effects of chemicals. The best green solution is the use of Petra Hypochlorous Acid Professional School Surface Cleaner.

Hypochlorous Acid is a powerful and safe surface cleaner for school and daycare surfaces. It's also 100% safe for kids!

Petra's Professional School Surface Cleaner is a potent oxidizer that can break down the cell structure of the novel viruses. It does not leave any residue on surfaces, has no odor, and is 100% all-natural. Therefore, it is safe for children and any users. Hypochlorous Acid is proven to be 80 times effective than any bleach brand. When it comes in contact with a surface, it quickly reacts and eliminates the viruses in seconds.

2. Use appropriate materials and tools in disinfecting tables and chairs in school.

It depends on the size of the surface you are going to disinfect. If you target a rather large space to clean, it is recommended that you use Petra’s Electric Fogger Atomizer Backpack Sprayer. The Petra Atomizer can produce 20-50 microns of mist that is effective in eliminating pathogens and viruses. For a classroom size, you can purchase the ready-to-use bottled or 1-gallon of ULV500 and use the Petra Battery Sprayer Plant Mister for easy and fast disinfection of tables and chairs before and after class sessions.

3. Engage teachers, non-teaching personnel, and parents.

Proper training and awareness-training of key persons in school must be conducted to perform regular disinfection properly. It is also necessary to implement close monitoring of routine cleaning and disinfection. Thus, the creation of a School Disinfection Strategy Plan is essential to carry-out the cleaning tasks, accountability, and protocols properly.

4. Use Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for school frontline workers.

School administration must provide their frontline workers with gloves, face shields, and face masks. It is also essential that social distancing continue to be implemented. Children are the most vulnerable individuals that can suffer from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools have proven to be a powerful source of enriching and protecting children and are an essential place to access resources and feel empowered.

Recommended Products