This guidance is intended for all Americans, whether you own a business, run a school, or want to ensure the cleanliness and safety of your home. Slowing the spread of COVID-19 requires all of us to practice social distancing and other daily habits to prevent infection. Cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, and schools is part of that strategy, and can also be applied to your home.

Reducing the Risks of Workplace Contamination

Cleaning and disinfecting public spaces including your workplace, school, home, and business will require you to:

• Develop your plan
• Implement your plan
• Maintain and revise your plan

Reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by cleaning and disinfection is an important part of opening public spaces that will require careful planning. Every American has been called upon to slow the spread of the virus through social distancing and prevention hygiene, such as frequently washing your hands and wearing masks. Everyone also has a role in making sure our communities are as safe as possible to open and remain open.

The virus that causes COVID-19 can be killed if you use the right products. EPA has compiled a list of disinfectant products that can be used against COVID-19, including ready-to-use sprays, concentrates, and wipes. Each product has been shown to be effective against viruses that are harder to kill than viruses like the one that causes COVID-19.

General Decontamination Practices to Follow

• Normal routine cleaning with soap and water will decrease how much of the virus is on surfaces and objects, which reduces the risk of exposure.
• Disinfection using EPA List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19) can also help reduce the risk.  Frequent disinfection of surfaces and objects touched by multiple people is important.
• If products on EPA List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19)are not available, bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface and will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
• Most household bleach contains 5%–9% sodium hypochlorite. Do not use a bleach product if the percentage is not in this range or is not specified, such as some types of laundry bleach or splash-less bleach as these are not appropriate for disinfection.
• Follow the directions on the bleach bottle for preparing a diluted bleach solution. If your bottle does not have directions, you can make a bleach solution for disinfecting by mixing: 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon of room temperature water OR 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of room temperature water
• Follow the manufacturer’s application instructions for the surface. If instructions are not available, leave the diluted bleach solution on the surface for at least 1 minute before removing or wiping. This is known as the “contact time” for disinfection. The surface should remain visibly wet during the contact time.
• Ensure proper ventilation during and after application (for example, open windows).
• Never mix household bleach (or any disinfectants) with any other cleaners or disinfectants. This can cause vapors that may be very dangerous to breathe in.
• Make a new diluted bleach solution daily. Bleach solutions will not be as effective after being mixed with water for over 24 hours.

Important Reminders about COVID and Reducing the Risk of Exposure

If you oversee staff in a workplace, your plan should include considerations about the safety of custodial staff and other people who are carrying out the cleaning or disinfecting. These people are at increased risk of being exposed to the virus and to any toxic effects of the cleaning chemicals. These staff should wear appropriate PPE for cleaning and disinfecting. To protect your staff and to ensure that the products are used effectively, staff should be instructed on how to apply the disinfectants according to the label.

• Coronaviruses on surfaces and objects naturally die within hours to days. Warmer temperatures and exposure to sunlight will reduce the time the virus survives on surfaces and objects.
• Normal routine cleaning with soap and water removes germs and dirt from surfaces. It lowers the risk of spreading COVID-19 infection.
• Disinfectants kill germs on surfaces. By killing germs on a surface after cleaning, you can further lower the risk of spreading infection. EPA-approved disinfectants are an important part of reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19. If products on EPA List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19) are not available, bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface and will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted. Most household bleach contains 5%–9% sodium hypochlorite. Do not use a bleach product if the percentage is not in this range or is not specified, such as some types of laundry bleach or splash-less bleach as these are not appropriate for disinfection. Follow the directions on the bleach bottle for preparing a diluted bleach solution. If your bottle does not have directions, you can make a bleach solution for disinfecting by mixing:
• 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon of room temperature water OR
• 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of room temperature water.
• Make a new diluted bleach solution daily. Bleach solutions will not be as effective after being mixed with water for over 24 hours.
• Store and use disinfectants in a responsible and appropriate manner according to the label.  Do not mix bleach or other cleaning and disinfection products together–this can cause fumes that may be very dangerous to breathe in. Keep all disinfectants out of the reach of children.
• Do not overuse or stockpile disinfectants or other supplies.  This can result in shortages of appropriate products for others to use in critical situations.
• Always wear gloves appropriate for the chemicals being used when you are cleaning and disinfecting. Additional personal protective equipment (PPE) may be needed based on setting and product. For more information, see CDC’s website on Cleaning and Disinfection for Community Facilities.
• Practice social distancing, wear facial coverings, and follow proper prevention hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently and using alcohol-based (at least 60% alcohol) hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.

Illinois Environmental Contractors Association Resources

For more information on finding a local contractor, check the resources below:

• Illinois Environmental Contractors Association Members
• IECA Common Questions & Answers
• Illinois Environmental Organizations & Related Agencies

If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our associates to find an answer to your situation. With more than 40 Illinois-licensed companies represented by IECA members, we believe that collective action through association is the most effective way to deal with the changing demands of doing business.