CLEANING AND DISINFECTING FAQs
Which Wolf-Gordon products are bleach cleanable?
Wolf-Gordon offers interior finishes across all of our product categories, which can be cleaned and disinfected with bleach solutions and other EPA-registered agents that help minimize the spread of COVID-19. Our bleach cleanable upholstery includes stain-resistant coated textiles and solution-dyed woven fabrics. All RAMPART wall protection can be disinfected with a wide range of hospital-grade agents, including PeridoxRTU®, PREempt™ RTU, Virex® Tb, and PureGreen 24, as well as household cleaners. We offer Type II wallcoverings that stand up to 70% Isopropyl Alcohol, 4% Hydrogen Peroxide, Virex, and NeoSan Labs 01 disinfectant in addition to diluted bleach.
Can your Scuffmaster paints be cleaned with bleach?
Although diluted bleach can be used on the majority of our Scuffmaster architectural finishes, it is not recommended for frequent use. Instead, the following professional products will clean and disinfect painted walls with no sheen alteration and little to no residue: ShockWave RTU, Benefect® Decon™ 30, PeridoxRTU, and PREempt RTU.
Is there a difference between cleaning and disinfecting?
Yes. Cleaning simply removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces while disinfecting kills the germs and viruses that are present. Cleaning works by using detergent or soap and water to lower the number of germs, which lessens the risk of spreading infection. Conversely, disinfecting does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces but, by killing nearly 100% of germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further reduce the risk of spreading infection.
What is sanitizing?
Generally, a bit gentler than disinfecting, sanitizing lessens the number of germs on a surface to a “safe level,” determined by public health standards or specific requirements. This works by either cleaning or disinfecting to lower the risk of spreading infection.
What protocol is recommended to protect interior surfaces from COVID-19?
To minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19, or a novel virus like it, the CDC states that the most effective method is regular cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces. The most common disinfection agents used in commercial interiors are diluted bleach (10:1 water/bleach solution) or isopropyl alcohol (70% solution). There are many other commercial cleaners and disinfectants registered on the EPA’s List N.
How does the EPA know that these disinfectants work against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19)?
Since SARS-CoV-2 is a new virus, this pathogen is not readily available to be tested in commercial laboratories to see if specific surface disinfectants are effective at killing the virus. However, disinfectant products on the EPA’s List are expected to kill the virus because they either demonstrate effectiveness against a human coronavirus similar to SARS-CoV-2, or against a harder-to-kill virus. For more information, refer to the EPA’s Frequent Questions about Disinfectants and Coronavirus.
What is the best procedure for cleaning and disinfecting interior surfaces against coronaviruses?
The CDC recommendations are:
- Wear disposable gloves and discard them after each cleaning; if reusable gloves are used, they should be dedicated for COVID-19 cleaning/disinfecting only.
- Consult manufacturer’s instructions for the cleaning and disinfection products being used.
- Clean dirty surfaces using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
- Refer to the EPA List N for the most common registered disinfectants.
- Wash hands immediately after gloves are removed.
For surfaces that are indicated as bleach cleanable, use a (unexpired) household bleach solution following the manufacturers recommended dilution and application instructions. Contact time should be at least 1 minute, and proper ventilation should be provided during and after application. Rinse with clear water and a clean cloth after cleaning and disinfecting. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.
Will products with antimicrobial properties kill the Coronavirus?
The term “antimicrobial” refers to something that is toxic to, or inhibits their growth of, microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The antimicrobial property can be inherent to a material or come from a chemical additive, including nanoparticles and heavy metals (e.g., silver, copper). At this point, we do not recommend products with this property as a defense against COVID-19, since most antimicrobial technologies have not been proven to reduce human infection or destroy viruses.