Commercial Disinfection: Best Practices for 2025

The importance of proper disinfection in commercial spaces has never been clearer. While the pandemic highlighted these practices, maintaining a sanitized workplace remains essential for employee health, customer confidence, and business continuity. Here's your comprehensive guide to commercial disinfection in 2025.

Understanding the Difference: Cleaning vs. Sanitizing vs. Disinfecting

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they mean different things:

• Cleaning: Removes dirt, dust, and debris from surfaces. Important but doesn't kill germs.
• Sanitizing: Reduces bacteria on surfaces to safe levels as defined by public health standards. Typically 99.9% reduction.
• Disinfecting: Kills virtually all bacteria, viruses, and fungi on surfaces. Typically 99.999% reduction.

High-Touch Surface Protocol

Some surfaces require more frequent disinfection than others. High-touch surfaces should be disinfected multiple times daily:

• Door handles and push plates
• Light switches
• Elevator buttons
• Stair railings
• Restroom fixtures and door handles
• Break room appliances and handles
• Shared equipment (copiers, phones, keyboards)
• Reception desks and counters
• Conference room tables and chairs

Choosing the Right Disinfectant

Not all disinfectants are created equal. Consider these factors:

• EPA Registration: Only use EPA-registered disinfectants for commercial use
• Kill claims: Check the label for specific pathogens the product is effective against
• Dwell time: The surface must remain wet for the specified time to be effective (usually 1-10 minutes)
• Surface compatibility: Some disinfectants can damage certain materials
• Safety profile: Consider ventilation requirements and PPE needs

Proper Application Techniques

Even the best disinfectant won't work if applied incorrectly:

1. Clean first: Remove visible dirt and debris
2. Apply liberally: The surface should be visibly wet
3. Respect dwell time: Don't wipe until the required contact time has passed
4. Use proper tools: Microfiber cloths are more effective than cotton
5. Change cloths frequently: Dirty cloths spread germs rather than removing them
6. Work systematically: Use a pattern to ensure no areas are missed

Electrostatic Spraying Technology

Electrostatic sprayers have become a game-changer for commercial disinfection:

• How it works: Positively charged droplets wrap around surfaces, providing 360-degree coverage
• Benefits: Faster application, better coverage, less product waste
• Best uses: Large spaces, complex surfaces, emergency disinfection
• Limitations: Still requires proper dwell time; not a substitute for regular cleaning

Creating a Disinfection Schedule

Frequency depends on your facility type and traffic:

• Healthcare facilities: Continuous throughout the day
• Schools and daycares: Multiple times daily, especially shared surfaces
• Offices: Daily for common areas, with midday touch-ups for high-touch surfaces
• Retail: Throughout operating hours, focusing on checkout areas and fitting rooms
• Gyms: After each use for equipment; continuous for common areas

Documentation and Compliance

Proper documentation protects your business and demonstrates due diligence:

• Maintain logs of disinfection activities with dates, times, and areas covered
• Keep Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all products readily available
• Document training for cleaning staff
• Track product inventory and expiration dates
• Keep records of any illness outbreaks and response actions

When to Call Professionals

While routine disinfection can be handled in-house, certain situations call for professional services:

• Confirmed illness outbreak in your facility
• Large-scale disinfection needs
• Specialized equipment or surfaces
• Compliance requirements for healthcare or food service
• Post-construction or renovation cleaning

At TBM, we've been providing professional disinfection services to Portland businesses since 2007. Our teams are trained in the latest protocols and equipped with commercial-grade equipment to keep your facility safe and healthy. Contact us to learn how we can help protect your workplace.