Drab But Essential - Maintenance of Cleaning Supplies
Ineffective maintenance of cleaning supplies is detrimental to practice hygiene.
It is important to remember that your cleaning equipment and supplies need to be looked after and stored appropriately to provide a safe and sanitary working environment.
Here are our top tips to help your veterinary practice get started
1. Cleaning agents and disinfectants should be labelled with Safety Data Sheet information
2. Disinfectants should be clearly marked with the correct dilution rates, so there is no ambiguity
3. Cleaning agents and disinfectants should be stored upright in a safe manner
4. Disinfectants should be dispensed into clean, dry, appropriately-sized bottles that are clearly labelled and dated; not topped up; and discarded after the expiry date
5. Sufficient space should be provided throughout the clinic to store dedicated “Zoned” cleaning supplies and equipment, to reduce the risk of cross-contamination
6. Cleaning and disinfection equipment should be well maintained, in good repair, and washed and dried between uses!
7. Mop heads should be laundered daily or sooner if heavily soiled and dried thoroughly before storage
8. The disposal of waste water from mopping floors should be in a dedicated area. Avoid splashing the water and contaminating surfaces
9. The laundry room should have a clear separation between clean and soiled items, should never contain personal items, and needs thorough cleaning at the end of the day
Can you think of any other important considerations?
We'd love to hear from you.