These days we are all cleaning… all the time, right? Cleaning and disinfecting have become and integral part of our everyday business operation. How do you know just how clean your doorknobs, counter tops and bathrooms really are?
Gauging cleanliness is too often subjective and based on unscientific methods. Just because a surface looks clean, doesn’t mean it is. Bacteria, viruses, molds, and other harmful pathogens are invisible to the naked eye. Using appropriate cleaning and disinfecting methods, paired with an efficient way of measuring cleanliness, ensures effectiveness and peace of mind. Using routine ATP testing, you can now prove the cleanliness of your facility and reassure both employees and customers that it’s safe to do business with you.
WHAT IS ATP TESTING?
ATP stands for Adenosine Triphosphate, an energy molecule that is present in all living cells. Using
an ATP Monitor, Carpet Tech can swab a high touch surface area before we disinfect to measure the
amount of ATP, or living microbes on a surface. The less ATP, the less contaminants, and the cleaner
the surface is.
Routine ATP testing adds valuable, scientific proof to your company’s cleaning and disinfecting
protocols, allowing you to test the effectiveness of both internal, janitorial cleaning, and professional disinfecting services.
Routine ATP testing can also save money and time by:
- Ensuring efficient cleaning processes, which reduce the need for labor-intensive re-cleaning while minimizing the amount of expensive sanitation chemicals needed to properly sanitize equipment
- Providing rapid results on-site, allowing for immediate corrective action that can prevent expensive product recalls and delayed production
WHERE TO DO ATP TESTING
Carpet Tech will help you establish your facilities test locations (control points). Before sample tests are taken, we will help identify areas within your facility that are high touch points at risk for contamination. A control point should provide reliable feedback on the cleanliness of a particular surface during testing.
To establish test locations, we will swab multiple areas before and after routine cleaning. ATP
levels will be higher in those spots that are harder to clean, spots that are missed in your current
cleaning procedure, and spots that are susceptible to contamination. These areas should be
established as control points for routine testing and monitoring.
DETERMINING ATP THRESHOLD LEVELS FOR YOUR FACILITY
Setting correct Pass and Fail levels is a fundamental part of running a successful ATP monitoring program.
- Based on multiple tests and industry standards, Carpet Tech has set thresholds on the luminometer between 30 RLU and 60 RLU.
- Any RLU score LESS than the threshold set will pass – indicated by a checkmark – ✔.
At these Carpet Tech thresholds, an RLU of 30 or below will display a checkmark – ✔ instead of an exclamation point – !, and anything over 60 RLU will display an ✘.
Carpet Tech will work with your internal protocols to determine thresholds that make the most sense for your disinfecting routine and testing frequency.
DEVELOPING A ROUTINE DISINFECTION PLAN
Routine ATP testing is only as good as your routine cleaning and disinfecting plan. The first step is the determine what areas need to be cleaned. According to the CDC, the cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in community settings.
Determine how areas will be disinfected. Consider the type of surface and how often the surface is touched. Prioritize disinfecting frequently touched surfaces. Consider the resources and equipment need. Keep in mind the availability of cleaning products and personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for cleaners and disinfectants. A professional like Carpet Tech has already invested in the PPE, electrostatic sprayers, chemicals, and certifications to safely and effectively disinfect.
Dirty surfaces should be cleaned with soap and water prior to disinfection. Routinely disinfect frequently touched surfaces at least daily.
After each disinfection, routine ATP testing can ensure that the professional you have hired to disinfect or your internal janitorial staff are effectively combating germs and bacteria.
In addition to routine cleaning, disinfecting, safe practices such as frequent hand washing, using cloth face coverings, and staying home if you are sick are encouraged by the CDC to reduce the potential for illness.
Are you ready to develop a plan that meets your businesses cleaning, disinfecting and testing needs? Carpet Tech can help you determine the correct touch points and frequency for routine ATP testing at your facility or business. Give us a call at 806-686-5079.