The Unseen Filth vents out of the cleaning solution. Also, it is possible that soils can be baked onto a surface, thereby making cleaning much more difficult. particular environment with your chemical supplier. From acidic cleaners to alkaline cleaners, there are a variety of products that will have different effects on different surfaces and soils. Consider selecting products that dis-pense the proper amount of chemical so that employees do not overuse or underuse. Your chemical supplier can also help you understand the best way to use the chemi-cals so that you can get the best possible performance from them. 3. Begin with thorough cleaning before disinfecting or sanitizing First and foremost, think of a biofilm as a microbial generated soil and create a cleaning program and schedule that adequately responds to all soils. 4. Sanitize and disinfect after clean-ing is complete Cleaning a surface prior to applying sani-tizers and disinfectants removes soils that can affect the biocidal performance of these products. On their own, sanitizers and disinfec-tants cannot control biofilms, but they can provide an extra measure of security to a clean surface. Remember not to misapply or apply too much of a sanitizer or disinfectant. 5. Look for problematic areas in your facility Because microorganisms need moisture to survive, biofilms are usually found where there is an abundance of water. Inspect your facility for areas where water may collect, such as on floors, floor mats, counters and equipment. Although a difficult task, try to keep the environment as dry as possible. Biofilms, although an often unseen aspect of facilities, can easily become problem-atic bacteria-infested communities intent on spreading from surface to surface. In order to limit the impact of biofilms, take measures to clean effectively. This can be done by utilizing TACT vari-ables and following best practices each and every time you clean. CM Best Practices For Your Facility Once you understand TACT cleaning vari-ables, apply the following best practices to reduce the presence of biofilms in your facilities. 1. Educate employees on biofilms Despite increased research on biofilms in the 1980s and 1990s, it is possible that, although they have heard of them, your employees may not fully understand their impact. Provide information about what biofilms are and their effects, in addition to training employees to better control the formation and spread of biofilms. 2. Consult with your chemical supplier before cleaning Prior to starting your cleaning regimen, discuss which chemicals are best for your force d is coming… armed. ready. protect. destroy. The mission will be revealed at Booth #4445 during ISSA InterClean 2012 www.coreproductsco.com • 800-825-2673 • Formulating for a clean future Product Information no. 213 on page 24 28 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • September 2012
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