Due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus now identified as COVID-19, it is more important than ever to ensure that all areas of your home are thoroughly cleaned so that you and your loved ones are in a safe and healthy environment.

While the kitchen and the bathrooms of your home are hotspots for germs that could detrimentally impact your health, there is another high-frequented area that should receive attention during this time. That is, your garage. In this guide, we will provide you with information on 3 highly effective techniques for disinfecting the floor in your garage.

Cleaning and Disinfecting – What Are the Differences?

To protect you and your loved ones during this very challenging time, you must engage in both cleaning and disinfection. While it is possible to clean without engaging in the act of disinfecting, it is not possible for disinfect without first cleaning, but what’s the difference?

Cleaning is the process of removing loose soils and it helps properly prepare for disinfecting. The process of disinfecting is to kill germs that are present on a surface. This also prevents the spread of potentially dangerous germs.

It All Starts with Cleaning

The first step to disinfecting your garage floor is to thoroughly clean its surface. The goal is to physically remove any type of dirt, grime, and/or other impurities that are present on the floor. Generally speaking, it is acceptable to utilize an all-purpose cleaner on the floor.

However, you will want to utilize only those that are highly effective in cutting through various types of oils and other substances that may make their way onto your garage floor. Remember, this steps will remove germs – in most instances – but it typically does not kill them.

Disinfection of the garage floor should always start with a thorough cleaning of the flooring. Simply obtain an all-purpose, grease-cutting cleaner and follow the manufacturer guidelines on its utilization.

Heat and UV Germicidal Lighting

Once you have completely cleaned your garage floor, it is likely that you have scrubbed or washed away the cleansing agent that you have utilized.

Due to the amount of chemicals in these cleansing agents, it is imperative that the product has been completely washed away before moving on to the second step that must be performed for proper disinfection; that is, introducing heat and/or utilizing a UV germicidal light on the surface of the floor.

There are a couple of ways to apply heat. First, you may use a hot water pressure washer, you may use a heated, electrical powered floor cleaner that is appropriate for hard floors, and/or you may use a UV germicidal light. All are effective are wiping away and even killing any residual germs left behind after cleaning your garage floor.

Placing the Disinfectant

Once your garage floor has dried (if you used a heated pressure washer or floor cleaner), or you have subjected the entire floor to the rays of a UV germicidal light, it is time to move on to step 3 of the garage floor disinfecting process; that is, placing the disinfectant.

For this product to be completely effective, it must remain on the garage floor for – at least – the amount of time outlined on the product. This is often referred to as the “dwell time”. The longer a product remains, the more effective it is at completely killing all remaining germs. In other words, spray the product over the garage floor so that it is thoroughly wet.

Then, simply allow it to dry. There are many commercial-based disinfectants that you may purchase. Simply choose those that are effective at killing both bacteria AND viruses.

If you would like more information on garage floor disinfecting or you want to bypass the hassle of in-depth cleaning and disinfecting by choosing easy-to-clean garage floor coatings in Augusta, you may contact us here at Concrete Coatings of the South today by calling: 706-249-4131