| Recommended Supplies and Cleaning Equipment: | | | | fresh each time you spray. If you are using a rag or |
| EPA Registered Cleaner/Disinfectant | | | | sponge for wiping, you should also have a bucket of |
| All-Purpose Detergent Cleaner | | | | properly-mixed cleaner/disinfectant and rinse and |
| Trigger Sprayer (Labeled), Pump-Up Sprayer, | | | | wring your wiping material frequently as you work |
| Pressurized Aerosol, Foam, etc. | | | | around the room. |
| Wiping Material (Rags, Paper Towel, Sponge, etc.) | | | | If you are damp wiping in other facilities, an |
| Recommended Method: | | | | all-purpose cleaner is acceptable if you are not trying |
| 1. As in all cleaning procedures, the first step is to | | | | to control micro-organisms. As above, even if you |
| gather the recommended janitorial equipment | | | | are not trying to disinfect, a pail of properly-mixed |
| together and bring to the area to be cleaned. | | | | all-purpose cleaner will ensure that the wiping material |
| 2. Start damp cleaning all horizontal surfaces in the | | | | is clean as you go along. When the solution becomes |
| room at the entrance doorway. | | | | dirty, the cleaner is no longer effective and it is time |
| 3. Work your way around the room in a clockwise or | | | | to prepare another pail. |
| counter-clockwise pattern. | | | | An alternate method for either health care facilities or |
| 4. Spray the item to be damp wiped or spray the | | | | other facilities is the "Pail and Wipe" method, |
| rag, paper towel, sponge, etc. with freshly diluted or | | | | eliminating the use of spray bottles and/or aerosols |
| ready-to-use solution. | | | | pump bottles, etc. As previously mentions, the pail |
| 5. Wipe the surface, paying particular attention to | | | | should contain properly-mixed solution of either |
| obvious soil spots. Don't overlook the edges of | | | | cleaner/disinfectant or all-purpose cleaner. Again, be |
| tables, chairs, shelves, etc. | | | | sure to change the solution when it becomes visibly |
| 6. Wipe all horizontal and vertical surfaces on an | | | | dirty. |
| as-needed basis. | | | | The amount of time you spend damp wiping depends |
| While this procedure may seem very basic, the damp | | | | on the amount of soil and the frequency of cleaning |
| wiping procedure is crucial to the daily control of soil | | | | the area. In health care facilities, it is recommended |
| and micro-organisms. | | | | that all patient areas be damp-wiped daily. Less |
| If you are damp wiping in a health care facility, it is | | | | frequency is required in non-patient areas and in |
| recommended that you use the cleaner/disinfectant. | | | | facilities other than health care. |
| By pre-mixing and placing in a properly-labeled spray | | | | Keep in mind that the more often you damp wipe, |
| bottle, you are ensured that the solution is clean and | | | | the easier it is each time. |