Surface Cleaning/Disinfection Guidelines

Surfaces of Concern

High touch areas
• Tabletops
• Light switches
• Doorknobs
• Sink taps
• Toilet handles
• Other surfaces that are frequently touched

Procedures

Wipe twice: wipe twice procedure is used to clean and disinfect (Alberta Health Services, 2017). Wipe the surface to remove dirt or any other contaminants, then disinfect by wiping the surface a second time with another clean cloth (Alberta Health Services, 2017).

Recommended Disinfectants

Two disinfectants permitted by Environmental Public Health for use during outbreaks:

• Diluted household bleach solution. Prepare fresh disinfectant solution every day. Add 1/3 of a cup of 5% household bleach to 4 litres of water. This creates a 1:50 bleach dilution that provides the recommended 1000 ppm (or mg/L) chlorine disinfectant.

or

• 0.5% Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide, used according to the label instructions.

(Alberta Health Services, 2017)

Cleaning and Sanitizing Food Contact Surfaces, Equipment, Toys and Other Surfaces

1. Wash with detergent and warm water.
2. Rinse detergent away with clean, warm water.
3. Wipe, spray, or keep items submerged in a sink for 2 minutes in one of the approved sanitizers/disinfectants listed below.
4. After sanitizing, let the surface or item air dry.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Blood Spills, Feces, Vomit and Other Body Fluids

Treat all body fluid spills carefully because they are a hazard for infectious diseases.
All the materials used to clean the spill should also be treated as a hazard and should be handled with care (Alberta Health Services, 2017).

Materials Needed

• Gloves
• Other personal protective equipment such as a mask, eye goggles, coveralls and booties Paper towel or disposable rags
• Bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water)
• Leak-proof garbage bag
• Sanitizer test strips
  

Procedure

1. Wear gloves
2. Blot any excess body fluid using paper towels or disposable rags/cloths
3. Use a bleach solution to disinfect the area. Pour enough of the bleach solution over the affected area so that the area is wet with the solution, and let the solution sit for a minimum of 10 minutes.
4. Soak up the bleach solution with fresh paper towels or disposable rags/cloths.
5. Place all used paper towels or rags/cloths in a leak-proof garbage bag.
6. After cleaning and disinfecting the area, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

(Alberta Health Services, 2017)