Across the country, school administrators are struggling to balance the needs of students, families, and staff with the realities and dangers of COVID-19. Many schools are remaining remote until safe processes for in-person learning can be put in place. Others, especially in higher education, are opening with hybrid models in place. The challenges of keeping campuses COVID-free are complex, and cleaning and sanitation practices are a vital piece of the puzzle. How can schools keep public spaces and facilities safe and protected in a way that is not only meticulous, but also efficient and practical?
The solution is not just about cleaning, but also what happens in between cleanings. Many schools use a one- or two-step cleaning regimen to sanitize classrooms, restrooms, and communal spaces, typically using a conventional detergent to remove visible dirt and grime and then possibly a disinfectant to sanitize daily.
But with even the most effective disinfectants, once the surface is dry, any micro-droplet or momentary contact can mean instant recontamination.
Breaking the cycle of recontamination
Picture a typical pre-school, a notoriously contagious environment where bacterial and viral infections often run rampant. Runny noses, uncovered coughs, and imperfect bathroom hygiene make germy hands the norm in such an environment. So as soon as a doorknob or desktop is cleaned, the first little hand that reaches out can transmit new pathogens.
But imagine if that doorknob or desktop has an invisible layer of antimicrobial protection on it – a human-harmless, bonded barrier that kills any microbes on contact, preventing transmission to the next child? And imagine if that layer lasts not only throughout the school day, but for weeks and months? That between-cleaning protection could dramatically reduce surface-borne pathogens and infection transmission. That protection is not only available, its very practical to incorporate into cleaning routines thanks to microbiostatic products like Novālent.
Microbiostatic technology makes the grade for protecting students
For schools seeking extra insurance against disease transmission this fall, microbiostatic solutions can be a game-changer – providing not only extra protection for students and staff, but also extra confidence for parents.
Here’s how microbiostatic agents transform a typical cleaning regimen into a three-step system of continual protection:
- Surface dirt, oil, and visible residues are removed as-needed with a degreaser or surfactant such as EnviroSystems® Green Kleen 420-4.
- Daily disinfection is accomplished with a sanitizer such as EnviroSystems® Sanitizer 440 to kill microbes, bacteria, and viruses upon application.
- Depending on how much use, contact and vigorous cleaning the surface experiences, periodic application of a long-bonding microbiostatic antimicrobial such as Novālent will sustain antimicrobial action between disinfections for up to three months at a time. Some environments may require more frequent application, but especially when applied with an electrostatic sprayer, Novālent is fast and efficient to apply. With electrostatic spraying, microbiostatic agents adhere to surfaces under, inside, and in between surfaces throughout an environment: places where daily cleaning may not reach. Water-based and non-toxic, these solutions are safe to use, environmentally sustainable, and 100% odorless.
Novālent offers non-stop antimicrobial protection for schools
Novālent is the leader in microbiostatic dry-state technology. Made in the US, Novālent™ technology is a non-toxic liquid that can be easily sprayed or wiped on any porous or non-porous surface in environments from healthcare to schools to public transportation. Water-based and odorless, it is also approved by the EPA for use on food-contact surfaces. And unlike disinfectants that stop working when they dry, Novālent actually starts working when it’s dry and keeps working for up to 90 days.