How We Helped One Facility Reduce Germs on Surfaces by 97%
Not many businesses need to be as clean as a food production facility. So when a large food manufacturer recently came looking for a cleaning process that would not only make the public and employee areas of the facility clean, but also as germ-free as possible, DPM’s answer was simple: SaniShell Surface Protection System.
The customer is a 127,000-square-foot corporate food facility, home to 200 employees. The business owners were searching for the best way to clean and sanitize high-touch areas–– break room surfaces, door handles, bathroom surfaces and lobby surfaces––in an effort to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
DPM Surface Care’s new SaniShell Surface Protection System offers broad-spectrum antimicrobial surface cleaning, while also adding a protective antimicrobial film that continues to kill harmful viruses, bacteria, mold, mildew and other microbes long after it has been applied. In other words, surfaces get cleaned and sanitized; and then they stay that way.
CASE STUDY – Traditional Cleaning Was Ineffective in Killing Germs
While the company’s facilities were definitely clean prior to DPM’s involvement, COVID-19 has certainly meant facilities teams need to kick their surface cleaning efforts up a notch. The all-purpose cleaners previously used by this client required multiple daily applications, which was both inefficient and ineffective.
How do we know?
We use a microbial meter to measure the number of microorganisms on surfaces. The higher the number on the microbial meter, the more germs, viruses and bacteria are living on a surface.
Hospitals, for example, require a microbial reading of 50 or below for their sanitization standards. And while most facilities don’t need that level of sterilization, our goal is to make sure there are little to no germs on surfaces following our cleaning and application process. This is just one more way that facilities can take extra precaution to help prevent the spread of harmful germs, such as COVID-19.
Measuring Germ Levels on Surfaces
So, what did we find at this customer’s facility? The numbers tell the story.
We tested all of their surfaces before cleaning and applying the SaniShell treatment. Here’s a sampling of what we found:
- Front door – 850 RLU
- Break room – 1231 RLU
- Office door – 125 RLU
- Bathroom door – 455 RLU
While the office door was relatively clean, other surfaces, such as the front door and break room were not, even despite multiple daily cleanings.
How SaniShell Eliminates Germs on Surfaces
So, how does the SaniShell Surface Protection System work?
Our SaniShell process includes the application of an invisible, protective barrier on surfaces to prevent the spread of viruses, bacteria, mold and mildew. It effectively breaks down bacteria containing biofilm, a disinfectant-resistant thin layer of bacteria that builds up on surfaces and can remain there for extended periods of time. The product’s versatility and non-toxicity means it’s safe for all surfaces and in any facility.
We follow a five-step process to ensure full coverage and sanitization:
- Clean & Prep Surface. Soils, biofilm and debris are removed to effectively disinfect surfaces and ensure proper bonding of the treatment.
- Apply SaniShell Treatment. The antimicrobial coating is applied with a steam sprayer, electrostatic sprayer, sprayer or fogger.
- Test & Verify Efficacy. Surfaces are tested with a microbial meter to ensure living organisms have been removed. Successful readings are 50 or below, consistent with hospital grade infection protocols.
- Clean & Maintain. Between surface treatments, clients clean and maintain surfaces using a prescribed protocol to ensure the protective antimicrobial barrier isn’t removed.
- Monitor & Report. Surfaces are tested monthly to verify ongoing effectiveness and determine when/if reapplication is needed.
Customer Results from SaniShell Surface Protection
Proof of SaniShell’s efficacy was evident immediately following our treatment process. For example, once we applied SaniShell Surface Protection, the bathroom door’s microbial reading went from 455 RLU before the system was applied to 5 after, to 0 a month later.
Here’s a comparison of the microbial meter readings from before we applied SaniShell, immediately following application and again one month later.
As you’ll see by the numbers, SaniShell doesn’t just kill existing germs on surfaces. It continues killing microorganisms on surfaces weeks later.
While most other areas of the building showed similar results, the report also showed that a new approach was needed in cleaning the building’s front door. Offering that level of detailed information for a customer sets the SaniShell system and DPM apart.
Now, cleaning and protection are ongoing.
“Our facility is being cleaned thoroughly,” said Scott, a company leader. “The surfaces have a barrier that repels and kills bacteria and viruses 24/7.”
“It is especially nice to see the site verification report,” Scott said. “It is reassuring to know our program is working well, and the testing did uncover one small adjustment in cleaning on our front door.”
The facilities team is thrilled with the SaniShell results from DPM.
“The SaniShell System is giving me and my facilities team peace of mind knowing that we are keeping our employees safe,” Scott said.
Ready to reduce germs, viruses and bacteria on your surfaces? Contact us to get SaniShell Surface Treatment at your facility.