CloroxPro Blog – Professional Cleaning and Disinfection Insights

From home office to school office to multi-person office tower, today’s workplace runs on electronic equipment and devices. These are our tools of the trade, whatever the trade, and regular care and maintenance are needed to keep them running efficiently.

But let’s look beyond system upgrades and app installations. Let’s talk about another kind of “bug fixes”: how can we protect electronic equipment and devices from pathogen contamination and in turn reduce the risk of transmission of illness-causing pathogens to the patients and the people using the equipment?

What are the tools of your trade?

Desktop and laptop computer, tablet with touch screen, mouse, pen, keyboard and telephone (both cellular and land line). These are the germ “hot spots” in the office environment, all round the year. Though the risk of contamination rises exponentially when multiple people are using the same tools, but the sole proprietor home office is still at risk.

What are some typical pathogens?

Certain common pathogens can be present in the workplace at any time, including cold causing viruses (rhinoviruses, seasonal coronaviruses), flu causing viruses (influenza A, influenza B) and gastrointestinal viruses (norovirus). Some of the many other viral illnesses that can be transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces include COVID-19, infections of the lungs and respiratory tract such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and measles. A variety of bacteria may also be found on electronic equipment and devices, including Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, E. coli, Enterococcus faecalis and MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant pathogen. One study found a mix of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria on 92% of mobile phones and 96% of keyboards.

Viruses generally live longer on non-porous surfaces – like electronic equipment and devices – compared to porous surfaces. Most respiratory viruses such as rhinovirus, influenza and SARS can persist on surfaces for a few days, and coronavirus up to 20 days. The measles virus can persist up to 2 hours, and norovirus can persist on hard surfaces for up to 42 days. Bacteria can be similarly long-lived on non-porous surfaces, typically a few hours to several days – but Klebsiella pneumoniae was found to live up to 600 days!

Are sensitive surfaces the hardest to clean?

Most of us might hesitate to do more than a quick polish of a touchscreen or keyboard with a soft cloth to remove smudges as we’re aware of the potential for irreparable damage. But infectious pathogens aren’t controlled by a quick polish!

Routine cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces and items is critical to reduce the risk of transmission of illness-causing pathogens, thus protecting health and reducing lost workdays. Pay particular attention to shared equipment and devices. Electronic equipment demands unique solutions and processes to prevent damage and ensure their longevity and optimum performance. And of course, consistent, good hand hygiene is always a part of risk reduction.

Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions before using any cleaning and disinfecting products.

Recommended cleaning and disinfecting practices

Electronic devices and equipment are made with a variety of materials, and each material may have specific cleaning requirements. A few tips:

• Start by unplugging all external power sources, devices, and cables.
• Keep liquids away from the product (unless otherwise noted).
• For cleaning, use only a soft, lint-free cloth.
• Consider ready-to-use wipes for combined cleaning and disinfection.
• Do not use paper towels or other abrasive cloths.
• Avoid excessive wiping, which might cause damage.
• Don’t get moisture into any openings.
• Don’t use aerosol sprays
• Don’t use bleach or abrasive cleaners
• Don’t spray cleaners directly onto the item
• Follow the product’s label and use as directed.

Steps to cleaning and disinfecting

Safety is always first:

• Shut down and unplug the device before cleaning and disinfecting to prevent electrical hazards.

Cleaning screens:

• Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with water (only!) or use a ready-to-use wipe suited to the surface and gently wipe the screen. Avoid oversaturating the cloth and dripping onto any part of the screen or device. Allow to air-dry – wiping dry may affect the cleaner/disinfectant’s efficacy. Follow the label. Use as directed.

Cleaning and disinfecting other surfaces including high-touch areas like keyboards, mice and phone handsets:

• For keyboards, first use a soft brush or compressed air to remove dust and debris (e.g., crumbs from working lunches!) from between keys. Then, wipe down the keys with a disinfectant-dampened cloth or a ready-to-use wipe. 
• If using a spray, don’t spray directly: apply the disinfectant to the cloth first, rather than spraying it directly onto the device, to prevent liquid from seeping into openings. 
• Disinfectants kill germs and can deactivate viruses when they’re used according to their product label directions. Check the label for a drug identification number (DIN) confirming that Health Canada has approved the product for sale in Canada.
• Allow enough contact time for the disinfectant to deactivate the virus or bacteria – check the product label for guidance. Follow the label. Use as directed.
• Allow surfaces to air dry completely before plugging the devices back in or turning them on. 

Choose the right product for the job

Decisions on methods and products for cleaning and disinfection of electronic equipment and devices can be complex. Surface compatibility, efficacy against typical pathogens, ease of use, damage risk and contact time are key.

Surface compatibility is critical

• It’s important to ensure that a cleaner/disinfectant won’t damage surfaces and equipment. Electronic screens, surfaces and keyboards are especially sensitive to costly damage.
• Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for specific cleaning recommendations. 

Consider ready-to-use cleaner and disinfectant wipes

Ready-to-use wipes bring each component – sanitizing/disinfecting agent, water, container and wipe – together in a controlled environment. This greatly reduces the risks of contamination or compromise to efficacy and safety. Further, time-related costs of use are lower than a multi-step process like DCS.

What about “green cleaning and disinfection”? Depending on the workplace, the use of safe and effective sustainable techniques and green cleaning products that use fewer chemicals can be a great option.

At the end of the (working) day, it’s all about protecting people and protecting valuable equipment!

Protect the tools of your trade! For efficient and effective cleaning and disinfection, choose CloroxPro™

The following CloroxPro™ cleaner disinfectants have demonstrated effectiveness against pathogens on hard, nonporous surfaces when used according to directions.

CloroxPro™ Clorox™ EcoClean™ Disinfecting Wipes (DIN: 02545047)

A citric acid-based disinfectant that is made from a naturally derived plant-based active ingredient, and formulated without bleach, alcohol or ammonia.

• Kills 20 pathogens in 5 minutes.  
• Disinfects in 5 minutes.
• Kills 99.9% of flu viruses (Influenza A virus, RSV) and the COVID-19 virus in 30 seconds.
• Sanitizes hard, nonporous surfaces in 60 seconds.
• Cleans and disinfects without harming most surfaces, with no lingering chemical smell.

CloroxPro™ Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes (DIN: 02492636)

Attack multiple surfaces with this bleach-free disinfecting product in a convenient ready-to-use wipe. Great for high-traffic areas and high-touch surfaces.

• Kills 57 pathogens in 15 seconds to 4 minutes. 
• Cleans and kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria on hard, nonporous surfaces.
• Sanitizes in 10 seconds. 
• Kills Staph, Strep, E. coli, salmonella, listeria, measles, mumps and SARS-CoV-2 on hard nonporous surfaces.
• Safe for use on hard, nonporous surfaces such as finished wood, sealed granite, stainless steel, mirrors and glass.

Clorox Healthcare™ VersaSure® Alcohol-Free Cleaner Disinfectant Wipes (DIN: 02473151)

Alcohol-free quat formula with broad-spectrum disinfection; contact times from 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

• Kills 50 pathogens in 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
• Kills SARS-CoV-2, measles and mumps virus, HIV and Influenza A virus in 30 seconds.
• Use
• Suited for multiple hard nonporous surfaces including medical screens and equipment.
• Non-abrasive, very low residue on surfaces.
• No harsh chemical odour.
• Stays wet for contact time.

Learn more about CloroxPro™ products that can help protect your electronic equipment and devices and safeguard your space