The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends businesses implement rigorous cleaning routines to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure to employees, customers, and visitors to the facility. The COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility Poster provides guidance to effective cleaning and disinfecting practices for COVID-19 virus with instructions for using cleaning products and solutions and directions for cleaning the types of surfaces and items commonly found in the workplace.
How it Spreads
Although the CDC advises that person-to-person contact is thought to be the main way that the virus is spread, the agency warns that it may be possible for a person to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes. The virus may remain viable for hours to days depending on the surface, environment, and ventilation. According to the CDC, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19.
Frequently Touched Surfaces
| Solid surfaces | Electronics | Soft surfaces |
| Tables | Phones | Carpeted floors |
| Chairs | Tablets | Rugs |
| Doorknobs | Touch screens | Drapes |
| Light switches | Monitors | Clothing |
| Handles | Remote controls | Towels |
| Desks | Keyboards, keypads, mice | Linens |
| Toilets | Registers | Face coverings |
| Sinks | Printers | |
| Faucets | Adding machines | |
| Countertops | ||
| Trash cans |
Specific Applications
The COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility Poster describes how to properly clean and disinfect specific surfaces and materials, including:
- soft surfaces
- electronics
- laundry
- areas that have been used by someone who is sick
- workstations and common areas
Surfaces can be cleaned with soap and water or a household detergent. Surfaces can be disinfected using a household disinfectant, a diluted bleach solution, alcohol-based wipes or sprays, or an EPA-registered disinfectant that is appropriate for the surface.
Safety Precautions
The poster also addresses safety precautions when handling cleaning and disinfecting products. Product labels contain instructions for the safe and effective use of the cleaning product. Precautions include wearing gloves or gowns (PPE), ensuring good ventilation during use of the product, and handwashing and hand sanitizing after applying disinfectants.
Special Considerations for Employers
In addition to cleaning and disinfecting the workplace, employers are reminded to train employees and cleaning staff on the hazards of cleaning chemicals, the use of PPE, OSHA’s standards for Hazard Communication and Bloodborne Pathogens, and proper disposal of regulated waste. All employees should be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19 and know what to do if they become sick.