In today’s world, where cleanliness and hygiene have taken center stage, finding the most efficient and cost-effective way to disinfect your space is crucial. At iNX Commercial Cleaning, we understand the importance of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for your employees, customers, and visitors. That’s why we’re excited to share the valuable insights from a recent study, conducted by Clorox Professional Products Company, on the value of ready-to-use (RTU) disinfectants with fast contact times. This real-world research has shown remarkable cost and labor savings over dilutable disinfectants.
Understanding the Objective:
The primary goal of this study was to determine the time, volume of product used, and the cost required to disinfect classroom desks in a K-12 setting using different disinfection contact times. The products tested included Clorox® Clean-Up® Disinfecting Cleaner with Bleach (30-second contact time), Clorox EcoClean™ Disinfectant Cleaner (2-minute contact time), and a dilutable quaternary ammonium chloride (quat) disinfectant (10-minute contact time).
The Importance of Contact Time:
One of the key takeaways from this study is the critical role of contact time (CT) in disinfection. CT is the time the product must remain wet on the surface to achieve effective disinfection. The longer the CT, the more time, product, and effort are required to achieve the desired level of disinfection.
Real-World Results:
The study involved 11 custodians at a K-12 school who volunteered to participate in the research. They used the Clorox RTU products with different contact times to disinfect classroom desks. The results were eye-opening:
- Disinfecting with Clorox® Clean-Up® Disinfecting Cleaner with Bleach took 3.8 minutes on average.
- Clorox EcoClean™ Disinfectant Cleaner, with a 2-minute contact time, required 5.1 minutes on average.
- In contrast, using the 10-minute dilutable quat disinfectant took a significantly longer 13.8 minutes to prepare the solution and disinfect the desks.
The differences in time are primarily due to visible drying on the surface after spraying. Desks would start to dry about 2 minutes after spraying, requiring custodians to reapply the product to keep surfaces wet. As a result, products with longer CTs also required more product to maintain the surfaces’ wetness.
Cost Savings and Efficiency:
The study calculated the cost to disinfect the classroom for each product, considering the product cost, disinfection time, and labor cost. The results were striking. RTU sprays, such as Clorox® Clean-Up® Disinfecting Cleaner with Bleach and Clorox EcoClean™ Disinfectant Cleaner, presented a cost savings of over $1 per classroom, primarily due to labor savings.
One of the key reasons for these savings is that products with contact times longer than 2 minutes would require re-application of the product. This not only increased the product and water usage but also extended the time required to complete the task. With shorter contact times, custodians can disinfect efficiently and effectively.
Applicability Across Industries:
While this study was performed in a school setting, the results have broad implications for various industries. Efficient disinfection with shorter contact times can be applied in offices, restrooms, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings. The key is to understand the drying time of surfaces and how it impacts the overall task duration.
Final Thoughts
To ensure compliance with manufacturer directions for use and to disinfect quickly and effectively, using a disinfectant with a contact time of 2 minutes or less has been shown to be the most efficient and cost-effective practice. Today, both bleach and non-bleach options with short contact times are readily available.
At iNX Commercial Cleaning, we value efficiency, cost savings, and, above all, the health and safety of your workspace. This study reaffirms our commitment to providing you with the best and most effective cleaning solutions.
Remember, when it comes to disinfection, time matters, and choosing the right products can make all the difference. Don’t compromise on safety, efficiency, or your bottom line. Trust iNX Commercial Cleaning for a cleaner, healthier, and more cost-effective future. For more information on how we can help you achieve a cleaner, safer environment, fill out the form below.
