Staying on top of germ hotspots

With the UK now in the midst of another lockdown following the emergence of a new, more contagious COVID variant, cleanliness and hygiene have never been more important.

While many people are still working from home, there are several key businesses or sectors which must remain in offices and workplaces across the country. Here, it is more vital than ever to maintain strict cleaning procedures to ensure that the chance of the virus spreading is minimised. 

As well as through the air, the virus can spread rapidly by touching surfaces which are contaminated - a study by the University of Arizona found that a harmless virus placed on the door handle of a standard office, was then found on 60 per cent of surfaces in under four hours. 

It’s imperative then that cleaning managers stay vigilant to high-touch hotspots which are breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses, and can often be missed in cleaning regimes.

Areas which pose the biggest risk of infection include:

• Door handles  
• Reception areas 
• Table and desk surfaces  
• Communal areas such as kitchens  
• Communal telephones
• Washrooms 
• Stair handrails  
• Communal seating areas.

In order to protect these areas, there are a few effective solutions that must be considered to keep staff and visitors safe.

Antibacterial disinfectant 
To avoid cross contamination from affected areas, germ hotspots must be cleaned regularly using products that provide fast and effective protection. Using a good-quality surface disinfectant ensures that germs which exist on surfaces are stopped from spreading.

Zidac's multipurpose surface disinfectant kills 99.99% of germs, bacteria and viruses and is powerful enough to use in even medical settings. Simply spray the disinfectant on a surface and leave for five minutes before wiping off to keep you safe from bacteria.

Hand sanitiser stations
By placing sanitiser stations near high-risk areas, not only does it provide a means for people to sanitise, but it also acts as a visual cue - reminding people to cleanse regularly and play their part. In order for sanitiser to be effective, it must contain at least 70% alcohol. 

Zidac recently introduced a hospital grade sanitiser which contains 78.2% alcohol and kills 99.99% of germs and bacteria, ensuring businesses have access to the highest level of protection.

In addition, making sure that washrooms are equipped with antibacterial handwash that contains skin soothing ingredients, alongside signage indicating how long to wash hands for, ensures that people are encouraged to wash their hands regularly and effectively.

Hands free sanitising
While hand sanitiser is efficient at killing germs on our hands, extra precautions must be taken to ensure that sanitiser stations remain germ free. To avoid multiple hands touching bottles, Zidac has introduced a range of high quality, foot activated dispensers. This ensures cleanliness and hand hygiene in facilities where the key issue is the safety of staff and visitors.

By carefully monitoring and researching products before purchase, businesses can give staff and visitors valuable peace of mind. Looking out for disinfectant or sanitiser which offers hospital-grade protection can ensure germ hotspots do not become problem areas. With a considered approach to cleaning and hygiene, businesses can help reduce the spread of Covid-19 and other viruses. 

For more information go to www.zidac.co.uk or call 07387018110.