Ready-to-Use Disinfecting Wipes: A Trusted Tool to Help Safeguard Offices
Office occupancy rates are the highest since the beginning of the pandemic
While the pandemic closed some doors it also opened others with new opportunities for virtual and hybrid work. Many have enjoyed a change of scenery but there are still companies and employees eager to get back to the office. Recent office occupancy data show an increasing number of employees are returning to some form of in-person work. In October, the average weekly office occupancy rate in 10 top U.S. metro areas reached 49%, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic.1 In other states, this rate is seen to be as high as 65%.1
As more people return to office buildings, there is a need for facilities to adopt a holistic infection prevention strategy that includes cleaning and disinfecting to help reduce the spread of germs that can cause illness. Not only is having spaces cleaned and regularly disinfected a best practice, but it has become the expectation of office workers. CloroxPro’s 2022 Clean Index study found that one-third of respondents (34%) were more comfortable going into the office prior to the pandemic.2 Additionally, 74% of office workers said they would feel most safe by regularly seeing janitors and cleaning staff at their place of work.2 Help safeguard office spaces and promote a healthy work environment with ready-to-use disinfecting wipes, a tool both office workers (65%) and cleaning professionals (70%) agree is most effective in keeping spaces cleaned and disinfected.2
When and how to win with wipes in the office
Disinfecting wipes are a simple and effective way to maintain the cleanliness of spaces while getting rid of germs like cold and flu that can live on surfaces for hours up to weeks.3 To maximize the impact of disinfecting wipes, consider implementing the following recommendations in office spaces:
- During the workday. Wipes are a powerful tool when used daily to disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
- For Cleaning Staff: Focus on using disinfecting wipes in common and shared spaces like conference and break rooms. These areas should be wiped between uses and after high-use periods. Surfaces like light switches, doorknobs, and counters in hallways and other high-traffic areas should also be regularly disinfected.
- For Building Occupants: Empower building occupants to keep personal workspaces and shared areas clean by making disinfecting wipes available. CloroxPro’s study revealed that 65% of office workers state they have disinfected an office, conference room, desk, or other public use item at work.2 This demonstrates their willingness to help keep places they go clean. Access to wipes in a facility encourages regular disinfection behavior and makes occupants feel safest.2
- When there are raised levels of illness. Protect shared office spaces and occupants during outbreaks and times when illness levels typically spike, like during cold and flu season, by having day cleaning staff use wipes to disinfect shared, high-touch surfaces. Consider contacting your local health department to determine illness levels in your community.
- For thorough and complete coverage. Use an “S” movement when wiping surfaces. Be sure to follow the contact time listed on the product label, allowing surfaces to remain wet for the required time to effectively kill pathogens. Use multiple wipes if necessary to achieve the required wetness.
- To avoid cross-contamination. Always start with cleaner surfaces first and then move to dirtier areas. Change and dispose of used wipes often, especially when moving from one area to another.
One size doesn’t fit all
It is important to think about all cleaning and disinfection product options and have a well-rounded supply of tools for an effective process. In addition to wipes, use other supplies like spray bottles, pull-tops, or dilutable solutions when appropriate. For example, spray products are a great option for disinfecting commonly touched surfaces in restrooms.
Popular no-touch disinfection technologies like electrostatic sprayers may also add a layer of depth to cleaning and disinfection protocols. Electrostatic sprayers are considered easy to use and allow for more thorough cleaning and disinfection when the resources to manually clean and disinfect are limited. A recent study found electrostatic sprayers to add cleaning efficiency by covering more space and up to 4x faster than manual disinfection, while still being just as effective.4
The key to reducing the spread of germs in offices and shared spaces is in selecting the right product to fit the need and then executing with excellence. Consider how your protocols can be updated to incorporate these strategies while integrating ready-to-use solutions, such as wipes, into your everyday process.
References
1. Kastle Systems. Kastle Back to Work Barometer 10.17.22 – Weekly Occupancy Report from Kastle Access Control System Data [Internet]. Kastle Systems – Data Assisting in Return to Office Plans. 2022 [cited 2022Oct19]. Available from: https://www.kastle.com/safety-wellness/getting-america-back-to-work/#workplace-barometer
2. CloroxPro. 2022 Clean Index Study. Data for this report was collected in an April 2022 online survey of a nationally representative U.S. General Population based on age, gender, region, race/ethnicity and income and cleaning industry professionals defined as business service contractors, facility managers in education, office buildings, medical facilities or gyms or infection preventionists.
3. Wißmann, J. E, et al. (2021). Persistence of pathogens on inanimate surfaces: A narrative review. Microorganisms, 9(2), 343.
4. Cadnum JL, Jencson AL, Livingston SH, Li D, Redmond SN, Pearlmutter B, et al. Evaluation of an Electrostatic Spray Disinfectant Technology for Rapid Decontamination of Portable Equipment and Large Open Areas in the Era of SARS-CoV-2. Am J Infect Control [Internet]. 2020; Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2020.06.002
