Guidelines for Healthy, Sanitary Correctional Facility Showers
Showers areas of correctional facilities are of special importance when it comes to keeping a healthy, sanitary house. They see a lot of traffic when many high-contact areas which makes them highly susceptible to colonies of bacteria and viruses. They also tend to stay wet or humid which gives these pathogens a hospitable environment in which to grow. Fungi like ringworm and athlete’s foot are all too common in the showers of jails and prisons. It’s absolutely essential that janitorial crews meticulously clean these areas in order to maintain health. The following are some best practices for cleaning correctional facility showers.
Stock the Right Supplies
Cleaning correctional facility showers starts with having the right tools for the job. You’ll need a good all-purpose cleaner and disinfectant powerful enough to handle all the bacteria, viruses, and fungi that may be proliferating. Bioesque’s Botanical Disinfectant Solution kills 99.9% of bacteria in two minutes, 99.9% of fungi and molds in three minutes, and 99.9% of viruses in four minutes. It also features a 55-second kill-time against the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19). It’s a powerful, all-purpose solution capable of cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing all in one step.
Know Your Problem Spots
These are going to be your high-touch areas. Fixture handles, railings, any benches, and sinks are just a few examples. All of these areas see a lot of bare skin contact which makes them prime areas for the spread of pathogens. After taking care of these, turn your attention to the biggest high contact area of all: the floor. If possible, blast the floor with high pressure water to loosen any soils. Next, apply your cleaning and disinfectant solution and allow to dwell according to manufacturer’s directions.
A Smarter Way to Clean
Bioesque Solutions was founded on one simple principle: there must be a smarter way! We are a pioneer in the development and distribution of disinfectants and cleaning products. Bioesque Solutions specializes in bringing the benefits of nature to address the demanding and ever-changing needs of commercial customers across various industries, including correctional facilities, public transportation, health care, food service, janitorial, and restoration.
Cleaning to Avoid Outbreaks in Correctional Facilities
Correctional facility populations have exploded over the last four decades, from 500 thousand in 1980 to over 2 million in 2016. As a result, prisons and jails are being pushed to capacity. Compounding the issue is the fact that most inmates come from socioeconomic segments with limited access to healthcare. This means correctional facility populations have higher rates of physical and mental health issues than the general population. With existing health problems and a crowded population, it is essential to make cleaning a top priority to avoid outbreaks in correctional facilities.
Develop and Implement a Cleaning Plan
The nature of correctional facilities makes them a challenge to keep clean. In addition to the crowded population and turnover, facilities are also like cities unto themselves. There are classrooms, offices, infirmaries, kitchens and dining areas, and more. It requires careful planning and organization to make sure each area’s needs are being met in a safe and efficient manner. Many areas of correctional facilities are often cleaned by inmates, many of whom are inexperienced. Consider implementing a training program to make sure each task is done to spec.
Use Quality Supplies and Tools
Make sure supplies closets are stocked with quality supplies. Bioesque’s Botanical Disinfectant Solution kills 99.9% of bacteria in two minutes, 99.9% of fungi and molds in three minutes, and 99.9% of viruses in four minutes. It also features a 55-second kill-time against SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19). It’s a powerful, app-purpose solution capable of cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing all in one step. Furthermore, it doesn’t require rinsing or the use of personal protective equipment.
Know the Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting
While cleaning surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure to prevent outbreaks in correctional facilities, there is a difference between the two. Cleaning can remove germs but primarily reduces surface dirt and other impurities where germs like to congregate and fester. Disinfecting actually kills the germs on surfaces and objects and this works best after surfaces are properly cleaned.
A Smarter Way to Clean
Bioesque Solutions was founded on one simple principle: there must be a smarter way! We are a pioneer in the development and distribution of disinfectants and cleaning products. Bioesque Solutions specializes in bringing the benefits of nature to address the demanding and ever-changing needs of commercial customers across various industries, including correctional facilities, public transportation, health care, food service, janitorial, and restoration.
When we think of public transit, we immediately think of the vehicles. However, we also need to take into account our facilities: the buses and train stations, ticketing areas, restrooms, waiting areas, restaurants and concession areas, and so on. With so many passengers coming in and out every day, any one of these places can become a hotspot for pathogens. That’s why it’s absolutely essential to have everyone on the same page, pitching in, and moving forward together to ensure the safety of riders and employees. Here are some best practices for disinfecting public transit systems.
Create a Daily Checklist
To tackle such a large area, companies and organizations should perform a detailed walkthrough of every facility and vehicle that receives traffic, either by passenger or employee. Make special note of those areas that are high-touch surfaces. These will include countertops, door handles, railing, seats, restroom fixtures, and more. Be sure that these areas are disinfected several times a day, including at the end of each shift, and that each gets checked off.
All Hands On Deck and On the Same Page
The size of public transit operations means that everyone has to be aware of the goals and doing their part to reach them. Even the best janitorial staffs can only do so much. If everyone is pitching in, this will free them up to handle the bigger and more difficult jobs more efficiently.
Choosing the Right Disinfecting Products
There are hundreds of disinfecting products on the market. How can someone be sure they’re choosing the right one for the job? One resource is the EPA’s List N. Quoted from the EPA’s website, the “EPA expects all products on List N to kill all strains and variants of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) when used according to label directions.” Bioesque’s Botanical Disinfectant Solution is included on the list and features a 55-second kill time against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). It also kills 99.9% of bacteria in two minutes, 99.9% of fungi and molds in three minutes, and 99.9% of viruses in four minutes.
A Safer Way for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Transit Systems
Bioesque Solutions was founded on one simple principle: there must be a safer way! Little did we know when we first started this journey that safer could also be better. We are a pioneer in the development and distribution of our naturally occurring, botanically based disinfectant and other cleaning products. Bioesque Solutions specializes in bringing the benefits of nature to address the demanding and ever-changing needs of commercial customers across various industries, including public transportation, health care, food service, janitorial, and restoration.
Electrostatic Spraying for a Quick, Efficient Clean
The second someone opens a car door or window, that car becomes vulnerable to pathogens. This puts Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare drivers in a tough spot when it comes to customer confidence in post-COVID world. The pandemic has forced us to take a closer look at how germs are spread, leading to increased customer awareness about cleaning practices. A spotless appearance and pleasant smell aren’t enough anymore. However, people still need to get from point A to point B and, fortunately, drivers have options to make their rideshare vehicles safe for their customers. If you drive for Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare company, you may want to think about electrostatic spraying your rideshare vehicle.
What is Electrostatic Spraying?
An electrostatic sprayer is a device that adds a positive charge to the particles of approved disinfectant solutions as they’re spraying. Positively-charged particles will cling to negatively-charged surfaces. This ensures better coverage of a variety of surface types. The EPA recently ran a study to determine the efficacy of these sprayers. Their tests showed good spray deposition and wrap-around effect when using approved disinfectants according to manufacturers’ directions. Furthermore, while these machines were once prohibitively expensive, they can now be had for as little as $20.
Bioesque Botanical Disinfectant Solution
Bioesque’s Botanical Disinfectant Solution is the only ready-to-use botanical disinfectant approved for use in electrostatic sprayers. It’s also on the EPA’s List N and features a 55-second kill-time against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). It’s an all-purpose solution capable of cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and deodorizing in one step. Additionally, it kills 99.9% of bacteria in two minutes, 99.9% of mold and fungi in three minutes, and 99.9% of viruses in four minutes.
A Safer Way to Clean
Cleaning chemicals like bleach, chlorine, and ammonia are very effective. However, they come with an added cost: they’re harsh, toxic, and terrible for the environment. Bioesque Solutions was founded on the principle that there must be a safer way to clean without sacrificing the power of these chemicals. With a formula that is free of bleach and other harsh chemicals, Bioesque’s Botanical Disinfectant Solution is a great choice for hazard-conscious or environmentally sensitive settings.
Global Standards from the International Air Transport Association
The International Air Transport Association, or IATA, is a trade association that sets technical standards, including cleaning guidelines, for airlines. These cleaning guidelines include “informed selection and the correct use of chemical products” which is “vital in ensuring effective cleaning and disinfection of an aircraft without damaging the aircraft interior, systems, and equipment while minimizing the likelihood of the transmission of COVID-19 or any other communicable diseases.” The IATA’s number one priority is safety, and these guidelines ensure the safety of passengers, crew, and other employees.
The EPA List N
The IATA recommends that airlines refer to local authorities for recommendations of products effective against COVID-19 and other contagious pathogens. The EPA maintains List N, a group of products expected to kill all strains and variants of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) when used according to the label directions. Bioesque’s Botanical Disinfectant Solution is included on this list. The IATA also advocates referring to the aircraft manufacturers’ guidelines for the most recent recommendations.
SAE International
The IATA also states that “cleaning and disinfection products should comply with and be certified or tested according to OEM standards and/or industry test standards, such as SAE International standards.” Bioesque’s Botanical Disinfectant Solution has AMS 1452C & BSS7434 approved testing, in accordance with SAE International standards.
A 55-Second Kill-Time
Finally, the IATA directs airlines to “refer to the cleaning and disinfection product manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that the proper application, frequency, quantity, ventilation and personal protection equipment is used.” Bioesque’s Botanical Disinfectant Solution includes a 55-second dwell time for effective use against coronavirus. Furthermore, it is a ready-to-use all-purpose formula safe for everyday use without the need of personal protective equipment.
A Safer Way to Clean
Cleaning chemicals like bleach, chlorine, and ammonia are very effective, but come with an added cost: they’re harsh, toxic, and terrible for the environment. Bioesque Solutions was founded on the principle that there must be a safer way to clean without sacrificing the power of these chemicals. With a formula that is free of bleach and other harsh chemicals, Bioesque’s Botanical Disinfectant Solution is a great choice for hazard-conscious or environmentally sensitive settings. Powered by Thymox technology, it utilizes Thymol, a cutting-edge antimicrobial agent present as a component of Thyme Oil, to quickly power through grime and destroy the germs that it encounters.
Harvard-Recommended Cleaning Measures for Airlines
Airlines have always presented a special challenge when it comes to ensuring a clean environment. Passengers are grouped together in close quarters with plenty of high-contact areas and fast turnarounds. Fortunately, a study by Harvard University found that a comprehensive, multi-tiered strategy can effectively reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 during air travel. This layered strategy consists of federal masking guidelines as well as enhanced cleaning and disinfecting measures. These Harvard-recommended cleaning measures include:
HEPA Filters
High-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filters in their ventilation systems. Columbia University professor Faye McNeill explains here that these filters can actually catch the particles that cause coronavirus. Furthermore, these filters refresh cabin air every two to four minutes, offsetting the close quarters that travelers endure during their flights.
Masking Guidelines
Mandatory face coverings for all travelers and staff. Harvard found this to be the number one deterrent for the spread of coronavirus during airline flights.
EPA-Approved Disinfection
Disinfection of all high-touch surfaces with an EPA-approved product before every flight along with a daily deep clean. Bioesque’s Botanical Disinfectant Solution is on the EPA’s List N, and features a 55-second kill-time against SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19).
Electrostatic sprayers can be especially effective in the application of disinfectants. These sprayers apply a positive charge to approved disinfectant solutions resulting in particles that are attracted to negatively charged surfaces, allowing them to cover a large area and a variety of hard non-porous surfaces. Bioesque’s Botanical Disinfectant Solution is one such approved disinfectant.
A Safer Way to Clean
Cleaning chemicals like chlorine, bleach, and ammonia are harsh and toxic. Bioesque Solution was founded on the principle that there must be a safer way to clean without sacrificing the power found in these chemicals. Powered by Thymox®, every Bioesque® Solutions product is designed to work together harmoniously like in nature, to bring the future of disinfecting and cleaning to our customers today.
Locker rooms present a particular challenge for the owners of sports facilities as they are among the dirtiest areas of the premises. A high amount of traffic means that high contact areas are hotspots for the normal strains of bacteria and viruses. However, the nature of locker rooms means that they’re also subject to fungi like athlete’s foot and ringworm. Furthermore, as they’re the place in which athletes attend to their personal hygiene, it’s absolutely essential that janitorial crews meticulously clean these areas in order to maintain their health and safety. The following checklist should help ensure a safe, sanitary locker room.
The Lockers
First, the tops, fronts and sides of all lockers should be thoroughly scrubbed using an environmentally friendly disinfectant and allowed to dwell and dry according to the manufacturer’s directions. Bioesque’s Botanical Disinfectant Solution kills 99.9% of bacteria in two minutes, 99.9% of fungi and molds in three minutes, and 99.9% of viruses in four minutes. It also features a 55-second kill-time against SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19). For vacant lockers, the interior should also be disinfected.
Restroom and Shower Areas
After disinfecting the lockers, all toilets, sinks and showers of the locker room bathrooms should be thoroughly attended to. Make a list of all high-touch areas – toilet, sink, and shower handles, stall door handles, towel dispensers, air dryers, soap dispensers – and make sure they’re given special attention.
Benches and Chairs
These spots see bare skin contact so make sure to disinfect them with an environmentally friendly solution.
The Floors
These surfaces see bare skin contact, meaning things like athlete’s foot and ringworm can spread quickly. Schedule them for a thorough mopping before and after the athletes visit. Also, make sure that the tools you’re using for the job are clean using a two-bucket system.
Athletes need to maintain peak physical performance in order to succeed. Ensuring that their locker rooms will give them peace of mind and allow them to focus on the next challenge. Stock your supply closets with Bioesque cleaning products. Powered by Thymox®, every Bioesque Solutions product is designed to work together, harmoniously like in nature, to bring the future of disinfecting and cleaning to our customers today.
Keeping Sports Facilities Clean for Millions of Fans
Millions of fans make their way through stadiums, arenas, and other sports facilities each year. To give you an idea of the traffic that these venues see, the 2018-2019 season brought 805,264 fans to FTX Arena, home of the Miami Heat. The Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium hosted 504,540 individuals the same year while the Marlins saw 811,302 fans come through their doors and the Florida Panthers had an attendance of 493,671. That’s over 2.6 million fans in one city during one sports year. Furthermore, that’s just fans at games. That’s not counting the special events that these venues routinely host, plus all the employees and staff that run them. It’s a huge amount of people and it raises the question: how can we possibly keep these places clean?
Sports Facilities Are Like Cities Unto Themselves
The Miami Dolphins averaged 64,374 fans per home game in 2021. That’s like a medium-sized town moving into a venue every Sunday. That’s an awful lot of feet on walkways and hands on rails. Furthermore, these are massive structures with a number of specialized areas. There are the seats, walkways, and entranceways, sure. But there are also carpeted suites and administrative offices, kitchens, restaurants, restrooms, locker rooms, and more. Sports facilities, then, need more than an accomplished and coordinated team of professionals to take on the job. They need a wide array of products able to handle all the areas the job requires.
Bioesque Solutions Has an Answer
Bioesque offers a full line of botanically-based cleaning products for all areas of sports facilities. For example, our Botanical Disinfectant Solution is a ready-to-use all-purpose solution, capable of cleaning, disinfecting, and deodorizing in one step. Meanwhile, our Cleaner and Degreaser is perfect for tough jobs in kitchen and garage areas while our Botanical Carpet Cleaners feature a deep cleaning formula that effectively removes tough spots and stains while simultaneously deodorizing.
Winning Big with the Fans
Part of the fan experience is walking into a gleaming stadium or arena. To a lot of fans, these venues are like a second home and they take a lot of pride in it. They also want to know that the staff at sports facilities are doing everything they can to make sure their game day is taking place in a safe, healthy environment. Keeping your supply rooms stocked with Bioesque Solutions will help keep your fans healthy, happy, and coming back again and again.
One thing the past year has taught us is that hospitals need to be prepared for a community coronavirus outbreak in order to maintain healthcare services. Headline after headline gives us news about hospitals being filled past capacity. Additionally, hospital-acquired infections have already been a risk to be cognizant of when managing a healthcare facility. Now, though, they have become a hot-button talking point. Facilities are full of patients with the highly contagious virus. In order to help facilities prepare for the influx of positive patients and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Center for Disease Control has devised a checklist to ensure hospitals’ readiness.
An Outline to Develop a Comprehensive Plan
Hospitals of different sizes and various specialties will of course have slightly different needs. However, this outline can be altered accordingly and be used to develop a comprehensive checklist to meet each facilities’ demands. It outlines the development and implementation of a planning committee and written outbreak plans. It also includes the necessary elements for that plan. Additionally, it stresses the importance of communication amongst departments, screening and monitoring procedures for patients, and training and education for staff. Finally, it offers a plan for visitor access and management. The full checklist can be found here.
An EPA-Approved Disinfectant
In the section concerning medical equipment and supplies, the CDC recommends “EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants to allow for frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces and shared patient care equipment”. Additionally, the EPA maintains “List N“. This is a list of products “expected to kill all strains and variants of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) when used according to the label directions”. Bioesque’s Botanical Disinfectant Solution is included on this list. It features a 55-second kill time against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Powered by Thymox technology, free of bleach and other hazardous chemicals, this all-purpose cleaner and disinfectant also kills 99.9% of bacteria in two minutes, 99.9% of fungi and molds in three minutes, and 99.9% of viruses in four minutes.
Restaurants have both high-traffic and specialized areas that require a variety of cleaning products. Dining areas, lobbies, restrooms, and kitchens all have special needs that we must attend to. What works great for cleaning your kitchen’s air vents is totally inappropriate for guests’ tables. Here is a list of important considerations to think about when purchasing cleaning products for your restaurant.
Know the Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting
This has taken on a special importance over the last couple of years. Cleaning refers to the process of removing dirt and other impurities from a surface. On the other hand, disinfecting actually kills the viruses and bacteria in an area. Both are necessary to help reduce the spread of pathogens.
What Jobs Can Each Product Handle?
Knowing the versatility of what you’re purchasing can help you cut down costs in the long run. A good all-purpose cleaner and disinfectant is always a good investment. However, such products probably won’t be powerful enough to handle the grease that can accumulate in the kitchen. Read each product label closely and make the best decision for your specific restaurant.
How Much Should I Buy?
This is a bit of a balancing act. You’ll have to consider how often you’ll be using each product and how much you’ll need before the next order. You should also think about how much space you have for storage and how much each product will take up. For example, if you use tablets to clean your deep fryer, you can probably go ahead and buy in bulk to save cost as they don’t have much of a footprint.
How Safe Are These Products?
Many cleaning products are full of harsh and toxic chemicals like bleach, chlorine, or phosphates. Furthermore, even milder products aren’t necessarily safe for food-touch surfaces. Again, read the label carefully and think about where this chemical will be used and how often.
How Do These Products Affect the Environment?
If ecological responsibility is important to your business and clientele, there are environmentally friendly products available. Bioesque’s Botanical Disinfectant Solution is botanically derived and free of the harsh chemicals mentioned above. It’s also an excellent all-purpose cleaner, handling both cleaning and disinfecting, and is safe for food-touch surfaces.
