THE GERMS YOU DON’T SEE

Workplaces often appear clean and orderly, but beneath the surface, invisible germs pose serious health risks. These unseen threats can spread quickly through bodily fluids and high-touch surfaces, putting employees and visitors at risk of infections. Understanding these hidden dangers and adopting proper disinfection practices is essential to maintain a truly clean and safe environment.

High-touch surfaces like door handles can harbor dangerous germs if not cleaned properly.

Why “disinfection” fails in real life

Most failures happen because of process, not effort. The common pattern is “spray and wipe.” Many disinfectants require a wet/contact time to work. If the surface dries too quickly—or is wiped immediately—performance may be reduced or not achieved.

Core principle: A disinfectant must be used as directed, including correct dilution and keeping the surface wet for the required time. If that doesn’t happen, the “disinfected” standard is not met.

Household-style cleaning vs Institutional disinfecting (the real differences)

The difference isn’t only the brand of product—it’s governance.

Household-style pitfalls (common)

• One product for everything

• Inconsistent dilution (“a little in the bucket”)

• Spray-and-wipe habits

• Minimal PPE/SDS discipline

• No logs: response is complaint-driven

  
  

Institutional standard (what professionals do)

• Chemistry matched to the area and risk level

• Measured dilution (oz/gal or ppm), labelled bottles

• Contact time discipline

• SDS/PPE rules and a strict “do not mix chemicals” policy

• Supervisor checks + documented close-outs

• Monthly hygiene summaries (proof, not guesswork)

  
  

Disinfectant classes used in institutional programs

A key difference between household purchasing and institutional programs is access to multiple disinfectant classes and the technical know-how to apply them safely and correctly based on the risk area, surface, and conditions.

Common institutional classes include:

• Quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats)

• Phenolics / chlorophenols

• Alcohol-based disinfectants

• Iodine-based disinfectants (iodophors)

• Chlorine compounds

• Peroxides (including accelerated hydrogen peroxide systems)

• Combination systems (formulations combining performance characteristics)

  
  

Why clients should care: different classes behave differently with organic soil, different surfaces, and different contact times. A serious janitorial program selects and governs chemistry—it doesn’t guess.

Steam + ozone: additional hygiene layers under NuShield

These are not replacements for routine cleaning. They are extra layers used when appropriate and governed by safety procedures.

Steam sanitization (heat-based deep hygiene)

Steam provides a heat-based deep hygiene layer for grout lines, fixtures, and high-touch hard surfaces.

Examples of published performance figures include:

• Manufacturer test-certificate style results such as up to 99.999% reduction of enveloped viruses and 99.99% of common bacteria on hard surfaces when used correctly (device-dependent).

• Research under controlled steam conditions has shown rapid inactivation of viruses on surfaces (context-specific and method-dependent).

  
  

  

Practical benefit: steam reaches crevices and grout lines where routine wiping underperforms, without leaving chemical films.

Controlled ozone (after-hours, unoccupied only)

Ozone can add an after-hours whole-room layer for odour remediation and selected critical areas. Example research findings show effectiveness depends on concentration × time (CT) and humidity and can achieve high log reductions under controlled conditions.

Ozone doesn’t leave a wet chemical film, and it naturally breaks down back toward oxygen over time—but it must be applied with strict controls, so the space is safe before people return.

Professional delivery: training + supervision + proof

Institutional hygiene depends on consistent execution. A professional program trains teams on:

• chemical handling and safe storage

• measured dilution

• contact time discipline

• PPE and ventilation rules

• site-specific SOPs (washrooms, locker rooms, pantries, high-touch points)

  
  

Then it verifies delivery through supervision and documentation.

NuShield proof layer (what makes the system “real”)

NuShield adds structured accountability:

• QR reporting (issues logged quickly—even outside service hours)

• documented close-outs

• monthly summaries (trends, recurring issues, response performance)

  
  

This turns cleaning into a managed system, not a set of assumptions.

Why Kemicals Worldwide matters (quiet advantage)

Because of Nu Home’s synergy with Kemicals Worldwide, your program can be built around:

• access to multiple disinfectant classes (quats, phenolics/chlorophenols, alcohol-based, iodine-based, chlorine compounds, peroxides, and blends)

• SDS availability and safer chemical governance

• consistency of supply (less substitution risk)

• site-specific recommendations (chemistry matched to the environment)

What a client should expect from a serious janitorial provider

Use this as a quick evaluation checklist:

✅ A defined hygiene plan (zones + frequencies)

✅ Measured dilution and labelled bottles

✅ Contact time discipline (not “spray and wipe”)

✅ SDS/PPE governance and “do not mix chemicals” rules

✅ Supervision + documented checks

✅ Issue reporting + close-outs + monthly visibility

✅ Access to deeper hygiene layers when needed (steam, controlled ozone)

Understanding the Risks of Common Pathogens

Norovirus

Highly contagious, Norovirus causes vomiting and diarrhea. It spreads through contaminated surfaces and can survive on them for days. Outbreaks in workplaces lead to absenteeism and lost productivity.

MRSA

This antibiotic-resistant bacterium causes skin infections and can enter the body through cuts or abrasions. MRSA spreads via direct contact or contaminated surfaces, making thorough disinfection essential.

Hepatitis B and C

These viruses affect the liver and spread through blood contact. Surfaces contaminated with blood pose risks if not cleaned properly. Workplaces with first aid stations or where injuries occur must be especially vigilant.

Maintaining a clean workplace goes beyond visible tidiness. It requires understanding the invisible germs that thrive on bodily fluids and high-touch surfaces, using the right disinfectants correctly, and training staff to follow proper hygiene practices. By focusing on these areas, workplaces can protect health, reduce illness, and create a safer environment for everyone.

Closing

A fresh scent is not a hygiene standard. The real standard is chemistry + dilution + contact time + training + supervision + proof.

Contact: Nu Home Janitorial & Industrial Cleaning Ltd.

Telephone: 381-2947 | nuhomejanitorial.com | dewill_tt@yahoo.com

Disclaimer: This document is informational. Site conditions vary; always follow product directions, SDS, and client HSE requirements.