With Covid fogging is trending. But what is fogging? A deep clean is important for sure, but fogging is the icing on the cake. Asking for a touch less fogging disinfection service can provide the best clean as both a proactive and reactive service for your needs with the current Coronavirus pandemic and viruses in general.

Cleaning by fogging is done by a special fogging machine that has disinfectants and other safe chemicals by spraying very thin particles that makes it look like there actually fog in the room. Cleaning and disinfecting by fogging is an effective way to disinfect high levels of horizontal surfaces, hard to reach areas that are often missed or forgotten and small, and confined spaces such as extractor units. Our works have shown that this method of cleaning can also be effective at disinfecting vertical surfaces. Another important point to consider while looking for a fogging service is to understand the types of machines. We know this can be a lot to take in, so we’ve simplified the terms and descriptions for you to understand what is fogging better:

Electro-Hygiene Atomisers: These are ULV fogging backpacks and they spread the disinfectants across your site, indoors or outdoors, and are proven to eradicate bacteria and harmful viruses, including COVID-19, in the air and on all surfaces, walls and flooring.
Dry Electrostatic Sprayer: These machines are perfect for indoors and they are electrostatic wheeled sprayers. It offers an enhanced uniform disinfection of all surfaces including electronic equipment, without corroding or oxidising (ideal for touchscreens in your facilities).
Dry Fogging Machine: These machines automatically supply an exact amount of the disinfectant solution to eliminate pathogens in a multitude of spaces found in healthcare, hospitality, clean rooms, childcare settings, gyms and more. After using this machine, the premises, including food preparation surfaces, will be available to use after 2 hours. The effectiveness of the disinfectant has been tested and confirmed against numerous pathogens including Coronavirus.

During the peak times of the pandemic, we were offering this service as a priority rather than a deep clean as this process would keep both our staff and your premises safe from contamination. Now, as the Covid rates have lowered and the restrictions have been lightened, we are recommending the fogging service after a deep clean, which as we have stated above will last your clean longer and will keep you and your visitors safe of any Covid related outcomes.

Is Covid Fogging Worth it?

Pre Covid, we as cleaning professionals would recommend fogging as an additional service. Although we are still under Covid restrictions, the rules have lessened – therefore in our opinion the fogging service you are thinking about getting is best after a deep clean. Remember, fogging cleaning has never been – will never will be a replacement for hands on cleaning. It is merely an extra precaution you can take as a business owner. Many companies are mistakenly using Sanitising and Disinfection procedures without the necessary cleaning which will neither control, nor prevent the Covid-19 virus.

In an effort to provide some clarity we classify:

Cleaning as the process or activity of removing dirt and grime from items, surfaces and places. Sanitising as a step further than cleaning but more gentle than disinfection, reducing the presence of bacteria to safer levels, thereby reducing the risk of infection, it may not kill viruses (3-log kill). And lastly, Disinfecting kills everything with the right product and concentration, destroying and eliminating bacteria, pathogens and micro-organisms that cause disease (6-log kill).

Traditional cleaning involves the wiping of surfaces and is the option most of the population would turn to but it is only effective at getting rid of 11%* of harmful bacteria and viruses. It can potentially spread germs and does not target areas which could be missed or hard to reach by cleaners, such as underneath tables and within the spaces between cupboards. This leads to hotspots, where there is a large volume of bacteria. So, when we are using disinfectants and similar products the aim is to kill microbes such as bacteria and viruses on surfaces. And, for a product to be deemed suitable, we need to measure the level of kill it gives us.

Here comes the term “log reductions” and each log is simply a 10-fold reduction in bacteria or viruses. For example, a reduction in numbers from log 6 to log 5 is a 1 log reduction, from log 6 to log 4 is a 2 log reduction and so on. As we have stated above, Sanitisation process can be a 3-log kill and Disinfection process will be a 6-log kill, making it much more powerful in clearing the area from bacteria and viruses.

The process combines the effect of both spraying devices (fogging machine) and disinfectant solutions. The dual effect of both devices and disinfectants, enables the air and surface in a room to be disinfected automatically and is the highest level of disinfection, decontamination and outbreak control currently on the market.

This patented chemical is recognised worldwide and ensures a log kill rate of 99.99%. It is:

100% biodegradable and environmentally friendly
Provides uniform disinfection of all surfaces including electronic equipment, without corroding or oxidising

Is an approved hospital grade disinfectant, for use in operating theatres with delicate theatre systems
Is Civil Aviation Authority approved
Halal and Kosher certified
Involves a dry spray (5 microns for fogger and 40 microns for electrostatic spray, which does not leave any wet residue)

Proven to eradicate over 280 pathogens, including:

Superbugs – Coronavirus, MRSA/Staph, C.diff (incl. spores), Klebsiella, VRE
Bacteria – Legionella, TB, Salmonella, E.Coli, Listeria, Campylobacter
Viruses – CO ID – 19 Norovirus, Influenza (incl. Bird & Swine), Polio, Rhinovirus, Hepatitis C and B HBV, HIV
Fungi (Moulds & Yeasts) – Black Mould, Candida, Botrytis.

When the machine sprays the dry mist of hydrogen peroxide in the air, it immediately attacks the outer frame of any micro-organisms which cause illnesses within the room. This weakens the frame, allowing the silver to slip inside and begin the process. When inside the cell, the hydrogen peroxide and silver compromises its structure and damages the cell’s functions. It then puts a stop to regeneration by sticking to the organism’s DNA before finally sticking to the cell’s enzymes to halt the energy source, thereby bringing a rapid demise.

After completing its job, the hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen so there is no need to worry about there being any harmful chemicals left behind. People must not enter the room again until it has been cleared as safe to do so. We always allow 1 hour for the solution to settle, which is known as ‘dwell time’ and we vent the rooms afterwards until the Hydrogen Peroxide level has dropped below 1ppm, the safe level for people to re-enter the room after disinfection. In summary, the room must remain vacant for a total time of 2 hours.

What are the Benefits of Fogging and Who Needs it?

Apart from it being touchless and quick, there are of course some additional benefits to fogging:

Fogging is seen as being safe and effective if carried out correctly.
Effective at reducing air-borne contaminants.
Effective at disinfecting hard to reach areas.
Highly effective at disinfecting horizontal surfaces.

However, it should be noted that fogging is not suitable to sufficiently disinfect closed sections such as electrical control panels, box section and similar. Also, our experience have shown that vertical surfaces are likely to receive minimal contact with the disinfectant fog due to the weight of the wet solution that contains chemicals. Also, if this service is wanted by you, we will only ask for an additional hour to complete the full clean. As it is a practical way of cleaning, we will conduct it after our deep clean (if you have wanted it) and while everything is put away (kitchen utensils, furniture etc.) we will go over every single spot we have cleaned and fog it. This will save you a lot of time and will definitely make your clean last longer as it will seal the clean surface with chemicals that stick to every corner, handle and side.

We advise fogging to various sectors as an additional measure for disinfecting. Schools, universities, hospitals and restaurants are the most important places to be using fogging service as they have hundreds of visitors every day. See our Fogging page for more information. Or, do some further reading and head to our blog post about The Importance of Fogging. Also, click here to get more in-depth knowledge on government guidance about fogging.

We know all this information is a lot to take in, but you are not alone! Our team of experts are a call away – contact us at 0800 019 7794 for a free quote. We will ask a couple of questions about your facility and create an action plan tailored to your needs.