What's the truth with Carpet "Sanitizer"?

[D Luke]

What can I use for leave-on spray application post-cleaning without fear of health or residue concerns (and still go home with a clean conscience)?

Please, I'm not after a diatribe from well-meaning resto professionals on the finer points of disinfecting porous goods. I understand all of that and explain it to customers.

I've used Decon 30 in the past which I really like, but technically by the label you are supposed to post apply, let sit for an hour without allowing to dry, and then completely re-clean. So impractical I doubt anyone has ever done this at any type of scale.

So, the question again:

What can I use for leave-on spray application post-cleaning without fear of health or residue concerns?

 

[Hack Attack]

whats the point of a post spray?

sanitising is reducing the amount of microbials not removing them all (thats disinfecting) your cleaning process should be reducing/sanitising

but like all things it depends how you word it

 

[D Luke]

whats the point of a post spray?

sanitising is reducing the amount of microbials not removing them all (thats disinfecting) your cleaning process should be reducing/sanitising

but like all things it depends how you word it

I would never upsell or advertise the service.

It's only for customers who specifically request a disinfectant be used during cleaning.

I understand these types of products to be much more effective AFTER soil removal, hence the need for a post-spray.

 

[Hack Attack]

hmmm.. you might understand the difference between cleaning, santising and disinfecting

but if your custys are asking for a disinfectant then they dont

you could boost regular prespray with a 3-5% HP solution hitting the fibres, longish dwell time, extract

you could post spray 3-5% HP but you haven't used a disinfectant, and when it drys there is no residue from a cleaning point or antimicrobial point of view

 

[ruff]

My non qualified info/opinon:

EPA considers an anti-microbial to be a sanitizer when it reduces but does not necessarily eliminate all the microorganisms on a treated surface. To be a registered sanitizer, the test results for a product must show a reduction of at least 99.9% in the number of each test microorganism over the parallel control. Sanitization requires the level of reduction to be demonstrated when used exactly as instructed.

So, never claim that the carpet was sanitized as that cannot be accomplished on any porous surface and could possibly get you into some legal issues. You can say that you used an EPA registered sanitizer.

As per post spraying: I assume the advantage would be a residual effect, meaning the sanitizer will work for a longer time.

As per residue, the regular sanitizers imho need to be rinsed out as they are unhealthy for the residents. The thymol based (non toxic) sanitizers according to manufacturers can be sprayed on and not rinsed. Question is: Since thymol is an essential oil, would it leave enough oily residue to cause faster re-soiling?

Got no answer for that. Maybe others that have done and came back after a while to see if it did, can say.

 

[Hack Attack]

some reading

Disinfecting and Sanitizing Carpet

Those familiar with the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) water damage and remediation standards will quote portions of the standard that say if you have a “Level 3” black water contamination, you can’t clean the carpet and/or cushion. It must be replaced...

cleanfax.com

 

[Cleanworks]

Original benefect does not need to be rinsed. Microban.

 

[kmdineen]

MediClean® X‑590
MediClean X-590 replaces Microban X-580. This ready-to-use disinfectant kills gram negative bacteria as well as insect pests, such as roaches, lice, bedbugs, and more. EPA registered for spray applications, MediClean X-590 is suitable for use on furniture, mattresses, and carpet.

• 
  
• Water-based bactericide, fungicide, deodorant, insecticide
• Formerly Microban X-580
• pH: 6.5–7.5
• For use on furniture, mattresses, and carpet
• Ready to use
• THIS IS NOT A POST CLEANING PRODUCT

 

[Hack Attack]

MediClean® X‑590
MediClean X-590 replaces Microban X-580. This ready-to-use disinfectant kills gram negative bacteria as well as insect pests, such as roaches, lice, bedbugs, and more. EPA registered for spray applications, MediClean X-590 is suitable for use on furniture, mattresses, and carpet.

• 
  
• Water-based bactericide, fungicide, deodorant, insecticide
• Formerly Microban X-580
• pH: 6.5–7.5
• For use on furniture, mattresses, and carpet
• Ready to use
• THIS IS NOT A POST CLEANING PRODUCT

its not antiviral as far as I remember

milgo is

 

[encapman]

Good question. Here are a couple of videos that cover that.

 

[Jimmy L]

Since it kills bugs do you need a pesticide license?

 

[encapman]

Since it kills bugs do you need a pesticide license?

Disinfectant application is still unregulated.

 

[Jack Zipper Zerkie]

Does water temp of 212 at the wand count?

 

[Wing It]

It is regulated in Tennessee. I called the Tn Dept of Agriculture. Any product that is EPA registered such as Benefect or Shockwave must be applied by someone with a commercial applicator's license. In TN, you have to take a test ($50) that covers info from a CORE manual and Category 14 manual (anti microbials) then apply for a license. Those manuals have to be purchased from Univ of TN Knoxville and total $40. After you take the test which can be done in most major TN cities, they video conference you to make sure you have the experience and proper means for using anti microbials. Basically, they want to make sure that Joe Schmoe doesn't wake up one day and decide they see a quick buck by charging to spray disinfectants. It seems if you have any prior experience cleaning and pass the test you will be granted the license. I am not sure about the fees going forward. I think there are none other than continuing to take classes for credits.

 

[Mikey P]

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[Kenny Hayes]

Omg, you can’t come here without a diatribe! Q64

 

[Cleanworks]

The truth is, you cannot sanitize carpet.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

They don’t give a rats ass. It makes em feel better. I sprayed a school at the beginning of this that was closing. I clarified and verified with the fact they would be closed for 4mos. Don’t care, the principal said, makes teachers feel better.

 

[hogjowl]

Our system is so poor they won’t pay to even put in dehumidifiers and fans in water jobs

 

[Cleanworks]

Our system is so poor they won’t pay to even put in dehumidifiers and fans in water jobs

What's your humidity like today?

 

[Hack Attack]

Our system is so poor they won’t pay to even put in dehumidifiers and fans in water jobs

Apparently on some wdr jobs here, if customer can't adequately answer the covid questions to insurance company they get told to pull carpet themselves and let it air dry.

Dunno if completely true, but yeah bacteria and fungi is completely harmless too

 

[hogjowl]

What's your humidity like today?

Between storm systems, so fairly low.
But I’ve seen them do this in August

 

[Cleanworks]

Between storm systems, so fairly low.
But I’ve seen them do this in August

I don't normally do extraction only but these days I probably wouldn't turn it down.

 

[hogjowl]

Luckily I still have some Microban Clean Carpet left

 

[steve_64]

I can only apply sanitizer or disinfectant. I can not guarantee disinfecting even though I follow the directions of use.

 

[Dolly Llama]

z

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Cleaning does a great deal to make a place "healthier" for the owners, occupants, etc. Application of a disinfectant in its role as a sanitizer does "something", but its not measurable. Even the term "sanitizing" is vague versus "disinfecting".

Make sure you read the label, use the product exactly according to directions, and remember that you are applying a sanitizer, not "sanitizing" the carpet.

You'll be spending a lot of time trying to answer to things your customers see advertised. Try not to get into a dispute over what others do, just reinforce to them what you do, and what you feel is in their best interests.

If they have trusted you a long time with their cleaning needs, that should be enough.

Last point: Don't show up looking like you need to be sanitized yourself.....

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Well, I don’t care what you call it but the barn door
is flying open. One of my churches is having us spray 6 days a week, and 3 times on Sunday.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Well, they’ve all called, and here we go. Vacation/retirement is over.

 

[Hack Attack]

Well, they’ve all called, and here we go. Vacation/retirement is over.

How you going for product? Real shortage here.

I'm keeping most my registered products for possible work in aged care or medical facilities (had enquiries no requests)

Even some of my commercial are cutting back on touch point cleans, which I dont mind