Deodorizing with hydroxyl neutralizes and removes unpleasant odors from the air.
Highly reactive molecules break down the chemical compounds that cause odors, balancing them and making them less noticeable or undetectable.
Hydroxyl
Hydroxyls work primarily by abstracting hydrogen atoms, thereby dismantling the molecular structure of odors and volatile organic compounds.
They react so rapidly that indoor environments have few natural hydroxyls present because they are consumed near their point of entry.
In addition to neutralizing odors, hydroxyl radicals can also help to purify the air by breaking down other pollutants. This can make the air in a space safer to breathe and help prevent the buildup of harmful substances in the environment.
Spray Disinfection, in recent developments, is included in janitorial technology and can help you and your team do more in less time. One of the most excellent productivity-enhancing tools to help you and your staff is Electrostatic Technology.
Utilizing Electrostatic Technology in your cleaning program can reduce the time spent disinfecting, allowing your staff to work on other essential cleaning efforts.
This technology is most effective when disinfecting large spaces, making it a good option for schools, healthcare settings, restrooms, cafeterias, and other community spaces in your facility. Did you know that it can disinfect small crevices and other hard-to-reach areas that are otherwise overlooked, leaving germs to multiply and spread?
What is Electrostatic Technology?
Electrostatic Technology or Spray Disinfection is spraying positively charged liquid onto negatively charged surfaces. The positively charged particles are attracted to the characters leading to an even spread and adherence to the surface.
Due to the charge of the droplets, they can wrap around hard-to-reach objects even if they are only sprayed from one side.
Electrostatic technology can be used for:
Chemical disinfection
Paint application
Filtration systems
And more…
What Is Electrostatic Disinfection?
Electrostatic Disinfection is spraying positively or negatively charged disinfectant onto surfaces and objects. It is beneficial, given its 360-degree coverage.
How Does Electrostatic Disinfection Work?
Electrostatic Disinfectant sprayers are filled with disinfectant. When sprayed, the disinfectant is positively charged and released through the spray nozzle. The disinfectant droplets then attach to surfaces and objects which are negatively charged.
What are the benefits of using electrostatic technology?
1. Enhanced Coverage
Electrostatic technology can be used to reach spots that are traditionally difficult to disinfect by hand.
Because liquid comes out in smaller droplets, they can be dispersed in areas that are hard to reach when using manual spray and wipe methods.
Similarly, disinfecting the space under a table might have traditionally required your staff to rearrange objects or spend extra time to ensure that a surface is thoroughly disinfected. Many times this isn’t done, or it is forgotten.
With Electrostatic Technology, this is no longer necessary. Due to the charged nature of the droplets, the disinfectant automatically seeks to cover the entire surface, coating them evenly for complete disinfection.
2. Increased Worker Productivity
Electrostatic Disinfectant sprayers can dramatically reduce the time it takes to disinfect.
Manual surface disinfection usually requires the application of disinfectants by using trigger sprayers, wiping, or pre-moistened wipes. Electrostatic sprayers function from 2-6 feet from the surfaces used to disinfect. Compared to manual disinfection methods, electrostatic technology can help your cleaning team disinfect about 5x more square feet per hour.
3. Less Product Waste
When performing manual disinfection, using too much disinfectant on surfaces is easy.
The charge that Electrostatic Sprayers give the droplets allows surfaces to become evenly coated in less time and prevents product overuse.
As dwell time varies by product, surfaces must remain wet with disinfectant for a certain amount of time (listed on the product label) for proper disinfecting to be performed.
Pro Tip: Dwell Time is the amount of time a disinfectant needs to remain wet on a surface to effectively disinfect (kill the organisms listed on its label) the character.
Commercial cleaning chemicals require other dwell times based on the EPA registration and contact time required for each organism. Commercial cleaning products not used with the proper dwell time and removal process are not effectively disinfecting and need to meet EPA requirements.
In Conclusion:
Routine cleaning and disinfection should continue to be a top priority to protect your facility against germ spread. While cleaning still needs to be completed, you can drastically reduce the time spent disinfecting with Electrostatic Disinfection.
With Electrostatic Technology, your staff will also be able to complete a more thorough, consistent disinfection, given the product’s ability to cover a surface or object entirely.
Many people have a fear of mold and what it can do to your health, especially if you have sensitivities or allergies to mold spores.
When you think of mold growth and contamination in your home, you assume it would apply to dark, damp basements and what can occur after a pipe breaks or other water damage situation. And you would be right, most of the time.
But there are other issues that can come up that involve mold, and it doesn’t have to be in a dark basement or after a water damage event. If you have moisture, a food source, and especially dark conditions, mold can grow.
Your bedroom
As scary as it may sound, it’s true. Mold can grow on and even inside your mattress. As you sleep, you perspire, and that moisture can be all that mold needs to start to grow. While you can clean visible mold from the surface of your mattress, it is very difficult to get clean what is inside the mattress. A professional cleaning company may be able to help. But prevention is what you should concentrate on, and an appropriate mattress pad/cover will help.
Your bathroom
Common areas that can experience mold growth are around the base of toilets, shower stalls or bathtubs, and under sinks, such as in cabinet areas. It’s no surprise when you spot some mold in those areas. However, mold can also grow on cleaning supplies that haven’t been used in a few days, and even on toothbrushes such as those left unused because of a trip away. Anything you use that involves moisture (brushes, scrub pads, buckets) and especially stored in a dark place, be sure to clean and dry them completely.
Your kitchen
The kitchen is a mold playground, because of all the food sources combined with potential moisture. There are so many places mold can grow they can’t all be mentioned here, but obvious ones include inside and behind the refrigerator, under the sink, and in cabinets. Mold growth inside the refrigerator goes against logic that mold requires warmth – it is obviously not always true. Frequent inspections of dark areas where mold may grow unnoticed is important, such as under sinks and where there are pipes that can leak or simply have condensation on them.
If you do find mold, do the smart thing and call your favorite restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro!
When the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, speaks… most of us listen.
And the EPA has much to say about mold, which can affect health in minor, irritating ways (slight respiratory issues) to severe life-threatening reactions, resulting in medical care and the unthinkable.
Here are the edited highlights from the EPA.gov site, along with our own thoughts, that all households should consider. Of course, the EPA recommends that everyone should fix plumbing leaks, water intrusion issues, and keep all interior surfaces clean and dry at all times. If you do this, mold should not be an issue. But if it happens, here are some tips.
Mold cleanup
Who should do the cleanup? There are a number of factors. First, consider the size of the mold problem. If less than 10 square feet, you may be able to handle the cleanup yourself. However, with water damage and mold growth more than 10 feet, consult an expert. And there is no way to know 100% if even a small amount of mold could have an adverse health effect on you or those you care about.
HVAC and air conveyance systems
Don’t minimize the impact that mold can have in your ductwork or other air conveyance areas. Hidden mold may be out of sight, but it should be taken seriously. Slight musty odors should trigger an investigation. Get your duct work inspected immediately and have the work done by a professional.
Restrooms, shower stalls and more
Mold is normal in some areas, like in the corner of a shower stall. Don’t panic. Just clean it up. But if you need help, hire a pro. A very small amount of mold is no doubt fresh and can be easily removed.
Hiring a pro
If you decide to contact and use a disaster restoration company or a mold removal service, be a smart consumer and check their references and credentials. There are many “companies” that claim to be experts in mold removal, but they are far from qualified.
Do the right thing with mold. When you know you have it, you should know how to get rid of it. The easiest, best, and safest way is to let a disaster restoration, water damage, or mold remediation company do the work. After all, it pays to call a pro!
Recently, we discussed mold that can be found in unlikely places, such as in the bedroom, bathroom, and the kitchen. After all, most report mold in basements or crawlspaces, but mold can actually grow virtually anywhere.
There is one thing we can all agree on. You do not want hidden mold growing in your home. If there is mold somewhere, anywhere, with the potential of causing health issues with your family, you want to know about it so you can remove it and keep everyone safe.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has much to say about the need for mold testing. “In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary,” according to a statement on the EPA website. And what the EPA says makes sense. If you can see the mold, you do not need to take samples and run tests because you know the mold is there. The professional restoration company that removes the mold will figure out what type it is and proper procedures for your specific case.
But what if you can’t see the mold but you feel something is there?
Then it’s time to engage mold sampling and testing. According to the EPA, surface sampling may be useful to determine if an area has been adequately cleaned or remediated.
Who should do it?
Sampling for mold should be conducted by professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods and interpreting results. Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional organizations, says the EPA.
Regulations and guidelines
Standards or threshold limit values (TLVs) for airborne concentrations of mold, or mold spores, have not been set. Currently, there are no EPA regulations or standards for airborne mold contaminants.
But if you have mold, you no doubt aren’t driven by regulations or guidelines, or lack thereof. You want to know if there is mold and if there is, what you can do to remove it.
One option is to purchase a do-it-yourself mold testing kit, something that you test surfaces with and send in for testing at a laboratory.
Another is to contact an industrial hygienist who is an expert with issues such as this, and have professional testing conducted.
No matter what you do, if you do have mold growth, do the right thing. Turn the work over to your favorite restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro!
Where there’s mold, there is usually an underlying condition that you must discover and remediate, and quickly. Mold occurs because of conditions that allow it to grow, and some types of molds are tenacious.
Recently, we considered the difference between mildew and mold and what the EPA has to say about what we need to know.
And while the cleanup of mold and mildew may seem basic at times, there are situations when removal and cleaning can be challenging to tackle. Here are some important points to consider and remember… to play it safe means consulting and usually hiring a professional mold remediation company.
Toxic or non-toxic?
Mold is a common problem and as a fungus it can appear in different areas for many different reasons. Usually because of a dark, moist condition. But just because you find mold doesn’t mean it is necessarily toxic. After all, everyone has different reactions to substances. What may be harmful to one person may not be to another. But always be safe and when cleaning up mold, wear gloves, a respirator, and proper personal protective equipment that a mold remediation expert would recommend.
Most molds
Most of the time, the mold you find, such as in a bathroom, a windowsill, or other common areas, can be easily cleaned. It is unlikely you will call a mold remediation expert to take care of the mold growing on the grout in your shower. Just be safe and wear a mask and gloves, and use products designed for removing small amounts of mold.
Mold is a type of soil. It’s organic growth. No need to panic, just be smart about cleaning it up. After all, if you were in the garden and saw some mold, you wouldn’t run screaming into the house. Simply applying a cleaning product for mold and mildew removal, scrubbing and wiping it up, completely, often fixes the issue. But sometimes, the mold has grown into surfaces, such as baseboards, walls, or even the subfloor that you discover as you replace flooring material. When that occurs, removing and replacing affected areas is often the best solution.
Hiring a pro
If the mold appears significant, and you have some doubts on removing it, it’s best to call a professional. A mold remediation company utilizes technicians who are trained and have experience in safely removing larger amounts of mold, or the types of mold that are known to affect more individuals with mold allergen sensitivities.
Who pays for all of this? Sometimes, your insurance company, if the cause of the mold is from a water damage situation. Talk to your favorite restoration company about all of this. After all, it pays to call a pro!
Most think of mold inside the home as a big problem — and it is. But what about that mold that grows on the outside of your home, such as on vinyl siding and other surfaces? While not as much of a health concern, it’s still a nuisance that must be handled.
Mold typically does not grow on clean, dry surfaces. And most materials, such as the plastic construction materials used on homes, is not a food source for mold. So why does it grow? Because of the dirt, soil, grime, and other organic matter that builds up on surfaces. While your vinyl siding may be vertical, it still gets dirty, and mold will grab onto that and grow like wildfire. And when there are trees and vegetation around your home, they release particles that attach to exterior surfaces and that just makes the problem worse.
The solution? Cleaning. Keeping surfaces clean, physically removing both molds and their food sources, is the best way to keep your home looking good.
While the solution seems simple, unless you have a ranch-style home, reaching all those high surfaces is not easy. You will need ladders, extension poles, and plenty of safety gear. If you have all that, and are ready to get to work, here are a few tips.
Get a good scrub brush, something you can put on a pole, and something that will scrub the surface but not scratch it. Softer nylon bristles are great. Have plenty of garden hose available, with a concentrated spray nozzle. A large bucket, a pump-up sprayer, or a sprayer assembly that you can put liquid cleaning products in, one that automatically dilutes and applies the cleaner to your home. You need all this before you get to work.
Purchase a quality exterior cleaning solution specifically for siding and removing mold. While you can create your own solution with a variety of household products (bleach, vinegar, detergent) what you find at the store is not expensive.
Then get to work. Hopefully on a nice, sunny day. Apply your product with the hose attachment or your pump-up sprayer, allow to dwell for a few minutes. The bleach component in your solution will take time to work. Scrub the surface and spray it all off. Let it dry and inspect, repeating as necessary. Take your time, section off areas, and you will see fantastic results.
But what about mold inside your home? That’s a different problem altogether. When you see mold inside, contact your favorite disaster restoration company. After all, it pays to call a pro!
You have questions about carpet cleaning. And we have answers!
A frequently asked questions is….”Can Carpet Cleaning Cause Mold?”
Well the answer is…yes, it can. But there’s a much better question.
Will Properly done carpet cleaning cause mold? And the answer is no. In fact, keeping your carpet clean is a way to prevent mold infestation.
Mold requires three things to grow: warmth, bacteria and humidity.
Properly done carpet cleaning can actually sanitize your carpet through the use of very hot water.
The key is to dry the carpet quickly to prevent any mold grow, and that’s what a professional carpet cleaner is so good at!
Here’s some quick tips to avoid getting mold in your carpet. Purchase quality, anti-microbial, moisture resistant carpet and padding. Two. Avoid carpeting areas with higher humidity such as bathrooms, kitchens and basements. And Three. Quickly clean up spills and stains that may retain moisture.
And schedule routine professional cleaning for the right cleaning for your type carpet and fast drying to avoid mold grow.
For the best cleaning experience, It Pays to Call a Pro!
You have questions about mold control. And we have answers!
You asked, How can I prevent mold growth in my commercial building?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the key to mold control is moisture control. Here’s some of their tips.
Fix leaky plumbing and leaks as soon as possible. Watch for condensation and wet spots.
Increase surface temperature and maintain low humidity. Increase surface temperature, insulating and increasing air circulation. Reduce the moisture level in the air by repairing leaks, increasing ventilation and dehumidifying.
Vent moisture generating appliances to the outside where possible.
Perform regular building and H V A C inspections and maintenance as scheduled.
Don’t let foundations stay wet. Provide drainage and slope the ground away from the foundation.
If you suspect a mold problem, don’t delay. It Pays to Call a Pro
