How to Avoid Cross-Contamination During Cleaning

Keeping your home fresh and clean is important, but did you know that improper cleaning can spread germs instead of eliminating them? Cross-contamination happens when bacteria, dirt, or harmful substances transfer from one surface to another, potentially leading to health issues. 

But don’t worry – avoiding this is simpler than you think! One way to keep your home in Huntington safe is to rely on trusted cleaning services, but you can also adopt a few smart habits to help you on your way. Read on to find out how best to prevent cross-contamination when cleaning your home. 

How do you clean without cross-contamination?

Here are some tips and strategies to help you take care of different surfaces in your home without cross-contaminating them:

Color coded system

Experienced and reputable professionals have a reliable color coding system, with colored cloths, buckets, sprays, and other tools designated for different areas. For example, this way, they make sure a toilet cloth never ends up being used in the kitchen, and the other way around. You can easily adopt this system in your home and never have to worry about transferring germs from one area to another. 

Microfibre technologies

Microfibre is made of synthetic fibres that effectively attract dust, dirt, bacteria, germs, and other pathogens. Microfibre tools are designed to catch up to 99% of these harmful particles, as opposed to cotton which attracts only about 33% and moves the rest around and from surface to surface. So, investing in microfiber cloths, dusters, and mops is worth it, allowing you to keep your home safe. 

Eliminating outdated tools and methods

The advancement of technology has brought new cleaning products that deliver better results and greater health benefits. The green movement has become less of a movement and more of a standard, so updating your practices to align with these new technologies and approaches can help you improve your routine and make it more effective. Here’s what you can do:

• Replace cotton mops and cloths with microfiber to capture more pathogens and bacteria.
• Opt for vacuums with HEPA filters because the multiple filtration levels allow them to capture up to 99.97% of dirt, dust, and other particles.
• Stop using harmful chemicals. They don’t clean any better than eco-friendly certified products or homemade cleaning solutions, which are far better for both your health and the environment. 
• Reduce the use of mop buckets to a minimum. They hold dirty water and increase the risk of cross-contamination, but also waste water, time, and energy as compared to flat mops that have a built-in tank and allow for more efficient cleaning.

Go top to bottom

The risk of cross-contamination increases when you’re tackling high-touch areas such as door knobs, railings, and counters. Take a careful approach and try not to miss any areas. Work your way from top to bottom so dust and dirt fall to the floor, waiting for you to pick it up at the end of your routine. 

Wipe down fixtures and surfaces using your cleaning solution and water first, then disinfect the areas, allowing the disinfectant to sit for about 5 to 10 minutes before wiping it down. As you finish off with the floors, go from the farthest corner towards the door so you don’t work yourself into a corner. 

Where in Huntington can I find reliable cleaning services?

Whether you want to make sure you avoid using harmful chemicals in your routine, you want to give your home a thorough cleanup before the holidays, or you’re interested in all the reasons why it’s essential to regularly clean your home, Maid Brigade of Long Island is here to address any questions or concerns you may have and make sure your home is always neat, safe, and welcoming for you and your family. Whether you live in Northport or across the region, you can count on our expertise. Call today!