Disinfecting Your Furniture

The Disinfection Process

Using fogging methods for disinfecting homes is not a new concept, but it is becoming much more popular during the pandemic. These methods are shown to be effective in the fight against the coronavirus, as well as more common illnesses like the flu viruses. Any disinfection process absolutely must start with deep cleaning.

Step 1: Thorough Deep Cleaning

The first step in any disinfection process is a complete deep cleaning of your furniture. This is important, because research has consistently shown that these methods are not effective if dirt, grime, or other buildup is on the surface being treated. That means all of the surfaces in your home need to be clean before moving on disinfecting your furniture.

Shady cleaning companies might try to cut out this step to save their own costs. Don’t let them cut corners. The CDC warns that fogging without first deep cleaning the home is ineffective and should not be trusted. In fact, such practices may be in violation of the law.

When it comes to disinfecting furniture, it is best to use a professional upholstery cleaner. Remember, the goal of this step is simply to clean the furniture. This doesn’t require the same cleaners or chemicals that are approved by the EPA for killing the virus. Learn more about disinfecting your furniture!

Step 2: Disinfecting

There are several different methods for disinfecting your furniture. Some technicians simply hand apply disinfecting solutions to your furniture, trying to make sure that every touched part of the furniture has been disinfected. This can lead to areas being missed, and the disinfection won’t be as effective.

By contrast, disinfecting using fogging equipment has been shown to be highly effective. The fogging machine breaks the disinfectant down into smaller molecules that can better penetrate fabrics and upholstery without soaking it. This makes it better for your furniture, while also keeping it damp enough long enough to be more effective at disinfecting.

But why choose fogging?

There are a lot of benefits to fogging over other methods of sanitation. First of all, you’re going to get a much more thorough disinfection with a fogger. Your entire home, both hard goods and soft goods, up to six feet in height, will be disinfected with an expert fogging treatment. You’re not just disinfecting your furniture you’re disinfecting your home.

Other reasons to choose the fogging sanitation method:

• Smaller molecules allow penetration deep into fibers.
• Disinfectants used with a fogger will not damage the color or texture of your upholstery, because it is only lightly dampened rather than saturated.
• Use of CDC approved disinfectants for killing viruses are harmless after an hour or less.
• Faster, more efficient, and therefore more cost effective, method of disinfecting your home.

What happens during fogging?

During fogging, you’ll be asked to leave your home with your family and pets. The disinfecting technicians will set up fogging machines that will spray the disinfectant on all surfaces in the spray zone, which is about six feet up the wall and anything below that mark.

This should be aided by strategically placed box fans to help widen the spray zone. Again, don’t let your technicians cut corners. The EPA has this to say about what a fogging system for effective disinfecting should include:

“The distribution of the fog will be assisted with fans. The system should be a completely self contained bi-decontamination system with the ability to dehumidify, generate fog and aerate/decontaminate sealed enclosures.”

What are the CDC recommended disinfectants?

The CDC recommends that all disinfecting should be done with EPA approved disinfectants for killing the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These disinfectant products are available to search or find at EPAs website. These disinfectants include such chemicals as isopropanol, phenolic, ethanol, and others. The most common disinfectant on the list is hydrogen peroxide.