Qualities of a Good Disinfectant

By cleaning your home or office regularly, are you really getting rid of germs and bacteria or are you just removing all the dirt and stains? By spraying and wiping surfaces, you may manage to restore the place to a clean and tidy state, but there could still be a wide range of viruses, bacteria, germs, etc. lingering on surfaces.

It is not ideal to use a single cleaner to clean every type of surface as each surface may demand a different formula for cleaning. To make the right choice it is important to know the qualities of a good disinfectant. Read on to find out what those features are.

Wide usage

Instead of storing several bottles in your cabinet, opt for a disinfectant that claims to effectively kill a major variety of germs and bacteria. A solution with good cleaning properties helps to avoid the need for a separate cleaner. But don’t forget to bear in mind the type of surface while selecting a cleaner.

Stable and Effective

Ensure the disinfectant is stable in concentrated as well as in diluted states. Check for compatibility and select a cleaner that can be used in combination with other solutions. The effectiveness of the disinfectant should not be compromised even after being combined with other formulas during use.

No health risks

Pay extra importance when it comes to safety. Make sure neither the disinfectant nor its residue has an adverse effect on you, your family and your pets. This is a crucial step especially if someone in your home suffers from allergies and other health problems.

Environmental friendly

Many times, disinfectants end up going down the drains of sinks bathrooms, toilets, etc. and are quite hazardous to the environment. It is best to choose disinfectants that are bio-friendly. Beware of products that make false claims of being environmentally safe. Read product labels carefully to find out if they are truly safe or not.

Damage and odour free

You don't want your surfaces to look discoloured or start to erode after using a disinfectant. Keep in mind all cleaners are not always suitable for all surfaces, so choose wisely. Also if you notice any strong or unusual odours before buying, look for other options.

Affordable

Since eliminating germs and bacteria is of utmost importance when it comes to regular cleaning, you need to look out for a disinfectant that is not highly priced rather cost-effective. 

Clear instructions

For a disinfectant to work effectively, you need to follow the cleaning procedure mentioned on the product label. Proper instructions related to how to use the solution, how long it must be left on a surface to kill germs/bacteria. Instructions related to storage and disposal should also be covered.

If your property has become severely contaminated after a biohazardous event, leave the cleaning and disinfecting process entirely to Bio Cleanse Services. Reach us on 0427 411 789.

How Does Dry Ice Blasting Work?

Dry ice blasting is an improvement over sandblasting cleaning method. In this, dry ice is blasted on the surface at high speeds and pressure. Instead of using hard abrasive media to do the blasting (and damaging the surface in the process), dry ice blasting uses comparatively soft dry ice, accelerated at supersonic speeds. Upon contact, the ice creates mini-explosions on the surface which cause the dirt or the undesirable substance to lift off the underlying substrate. The frigid temperature of dry ice causes the undesirable substrate to shrink and lose adhesion. Since the surface to be cleaned is at a higher temperature than the dry ice, it immediately converts back to its gaseous form after hitting the surface and the only residue left is the undesirable substance to be disposed.

Dry ice blasting is highly superior to sandblasting cleaning method because, in the case of dry ice blasting, the surface does not get damaged at all. Whereas the same cannot be said about sandblasting. It avoids equipment damage in two ways. Firstly, dry ice does not erode or damage the surface to be cleaned in any way. Secondly, since dry ice blasting can be done on site, the machinery need not be transported to a separate cleaning facility which exposes it to potential damages like drops and bumps.

Here are some of the benefits of dry ice blasting:

• It is a non-abrasive, non-flammable and non-conductive, efficient cleaning method.
• It is environmentally stable and does not involve any harmful chemicals.
• It has been approved to be used in the food industry.
• It allows cleaning of most equipment without the need of time-consuming disassembly.
• It does not have the chance of causing a fire hazard and can carry out the cleaning process with the existing electrical and mechanical structure of the machine.
• It is used to remove production residue, release agents, contaminants, paints, oils, and biofilms.
• It can serve both extremes. It can be used to blow the dust of books as well as to remove weld slag from tooling.
• Apart from the above mentioned, it can be used in several other applications.

We at Bio Cleanse offer efficient cleaning services in dry ice blasting. Call us now on  0427 411 789 or email us at info@primerestorations.com.au to know more.

Sewage Spill - A Health Hazard

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A sewage spill is one of the most unpleasant situations that can occur in your home, not to mention one that can damage your property and cause serious sanitation problems. A septic tank backup, a toilet overflow, a clogged drain, or area flooding due to a natural calamity, all classify as water damage and can create a hazardous environment for your family. Also of paramount concern is the health risk of being exposed, especially to a sewage spill. If the spill is small, you can choose to clean it up yourself with specialized cleaning products to disinfect the area. But if the spill is massive, it’s best to call in the professionals. Even just being in the vicinity of the spill can put your family’s health at risk, because the contaminants contained in sewage and septic tank spills can cause serious illness or disease.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when a sewage spill occurs:

Evacuate

It is important to act quickly and evacuate all people with compromised immune systems, or problems like asthma. These would include young children, the infirm and the elderly, and even your pets. Ensure that nobody eats or drinks in the location of the spill.

Act quickly

The longer you are exposed to the sewage, the worse it gets, because bacteria spread quickly. Parasites, fungi and viruses are also among the agents found in raw sewage responsible for causing diseases like Hepatitis A. Allowing time to pass before clean-up may also create foul doors that will later be difficult to remove. Therefore, spills must be dealt with promptly.

Stay protected

Spills must also be dealt with in a safe manner, wearing protective gear, considering that one is handling infectious waste. Wear waterproof boots and gloves, a face mask, safety goggles or similar protective eyewear, and thick clothing which is best to throw away after the cleanup. If one already has any wounds, cuts or bruises on the body, they must be covered up so that they do not get exposed to sewage.

How long has it been there?

If the spill or overflow has happen when no one is around, it’s likely that it has been sitting around for some hours. It is probably too late to stop bacteria from spreading. Safety gear is essential in such a situation and breathing apparatuses are highly advised.

Mould growth

It is also necessary to protect other areas and your property such as furniture from the overflow. Water damage creates an environment conducive to the growth of mould or fungi. This can play havoc with your family’s health in the long run.

After the cleanup, the property must be thoroughly decontaminated, to create a safe and healthy environment in your home.

See Also: Proper sewage cleanup is necessary

Call in the pros

Getting professional help is necessary in case of a large spill. We at Bio Cleanse Services handle sewage cleanup in a professional manner. Apart from cleaning up the disgusting mess, we also clean carpet and upholstery, decontaminate and restore your property. Speed is our forte, and this would not only mean damage control but would also help you get back to normal life quickly. Call us on 0427 411 789.

Safety with Flammable Liquids at Home

If you are an average homeowner with regular household items like hair sprays, rubbing alcohol, paint thinner, linseed oil under your roof, then you must also be aware of the risks these have to offer. While they may not seem like a serious threat in most cases, they sure can increase your risk during a fire accident. Here are a few handy tips to keep in mind while housing these liquids.

1. Hand sanitizers

 A true fact but hand sanitizers are flammable because of the high alcohol content in them. Whether gel or liquid, all alcohol-based hand sanitizers pose a great risk in case your house gets caught in a fire. A safety measure to follow here would be to keep sanitizers away from heat or direct sunlight. Avoid keeping them near stoves, heaters or in areas directly exposed to sunlight or areas that tend to get warm.

2. Gasoline, paint thinner and turpentine

Paint thinners are a common household liquid used to lighten oil-based paints or clean up after their use. Being widely used, they are also the reason for top residential fire accidents. In most homes, these liquids are carelessly stored in garages and often with negligence, a spillover is capable of causing sparks. To avoid accidents, these flammable solvents should be stored in tightly sealed containers away from sources of heat.

3. Nail polish remover

Because of the acetone content in this liquid, this is considered one of the most common flammable household liquids. The vapours it produces are also flammable as they are able to travel through the air, igniting any nearby flames. If you are using a candle, make sure to blow it out and keep it at a safe distance before you apply or remove any nail polish.

4. Linseed oil

Linseed oil a common household liquid used for staining and finishing work and dried upon exposure to heat. It generates heat as it dries, which can cause the spontaneous combustion of materials. Rags, waste, and other oily materials having residues of linseed oil can cause spontaneous combustion fires if not handled properly. This liquid is to be handled with great caution and stored in an appropriate place away from sunlight.

5. Aerosol cans/sprays

Over half of the household products stored in residential homes are contained in aerosol cans. Aerosol sprays are no surprise in catching fires when sprayed in close proximity of a flame or a fireplace. As much as possible store these cans away from heat-related appliances and warm areas and do not spray them near candle flames and kitchen stoves.

See Also: Fire damage and the Need for Restoration  

Safeguard your homes with these simple tips. In case of fire accidents, fret not! Our team of fire damage restoration experts at Bio Cleanse Services is always there to help. Call – 0427 411 789 in case of an emergency. You may also email us at – info@primerestorations.com.au

5 common causes of water damage

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Water damage is a result of excess water accumulating for long periods in damage-prone areas. Several factors can cause water to pool leading to water damage. It is important to know what these factors are and take precautionary measures to help protect your home from avoidable disasters. Below outlined are common undetected causes that contribute massively to water damage.

Pipe bursts or leaks

Pipes that burst or leak are one of the most common factors that lead to water damage. These often happen as a result of pressure in pipes caused by a blockage or back up in the toilets and drains. Pipes that are old and worn out can also contribute to leakages.

Plumbing issues/failures

While some plumbing problems are hard to identify as they occur within the walls, many issues arise when hoses and pipe joints are not attached properly. Regular inspections under the sink can help keep plumbing problems in check.

Household appliances

Over a period of time, washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters, and refrigerators start to deteriorate. As a result, pipes develop a rust build up and tend to crack, while the hoses become weak. Of all the appliances, the most common ones that contribute to water damage are hot water tanks and washing machines. It is important to perform timely checks for any possible hazard.

HVACs

Heating, ventilating and air conditioning units are likely culprits that could cause considerable water damage. Air conditioners in particular need to be serviced regularly, drained and maintained well to avoid any moisture build up within them. If not done, once the moisture cools, it can come in contact with mould spores in ducts and promote mould growth.

Natural disasters

When it comes to natural catastrophes, all you can do is take precautionary measures to mitigate their impact on your home. Floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters can all lead to a dangerous accumulation of contaminated water. In such cases, it is important to contact a water damage restoration company immediately to have the property remediated before the situation worsens.

If your home is in a bad state due to the above or any other reasons, call our expert team for effective water damage restoration services on 0427411789.

How an unattended death clean-up is handled by professionals

When a deceased person is discovered after a period of time, the whole situation can be intense and overwhelming. But what's challenging is the cleaning up after the unattended death. Apart from the biohazard dangers that arise from a situation like this, there is considerable damage done to the premises as a result of the decomposition process. For times like this, the cleanup and remediation of property should be handled by an expert biohazard cleaning team. Always reach out to a professional that will ensure extensive cleaning and remediation to rid your property of all biohazard dangers.

Below are the steps followed by a biohazard cleaning company to ensure the clean-up is done well.

Site examination:
Firstly, the cleaning crew will investigate and analyse the scene/area to determine the extent of the damage. A number of factors could influence the extent of contamination, from the kind of death to the time period since the death occurred. This study helps the cleanup team to design a plan of action that is best suited to eliminate all odours and decontaminate the area and materials present.

Cleaning up the area affected:
Next comes the cleaning of the decontaminated area. In this step, the cleaners will clean, decontaminate, sanitise and deodorise the area including surfaces, and carpeting. They follow strict procedures to ensure all contaminants are removed entirely from the site. In certain cases, the carpeting and subflooring will also be removed. This is to ensure no contaminants that could give rise to health dangers remain. The whole affected area is treated with advanced odour removal techniques to get rid of unpleasant odours completely.

Removal of contaminated materials:
At times, there are items that are highly contaminated making them difficult to salvage. It becomes necessary for the cleaners to remove and discard such materials. Cleaners follow strict protocols while discarding these. This is to ensure that the community surrounding the site are free from the risk of biohazard contamination.

Are you are facing a traumatic situation like an unattended death in your family or property? Don’t let the clean-up stress you out. At Bio Cleanse Services, we are always ready to help you in times like this. Contact us or call us on 0427 411 789 for any unattended death cleanup requirements.

How can you control mould growth in your home

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Mould has been there on the surface of the earth since the beginning of time. It is always present in the air and needs only some humidity and moisture to thrive. Although it is a part and parcel of nature, you obviously do not want it growing in your home and ruining your pretty walls. Below outlined are ways on how you can control mould in your home.

1. Since mould thrives in humid and damp areas, keeping a watch on the humidity level can be a good preventive measure to avoid mould growth.

2. Promptly fixing any leaks in the roof or any pipe can prevent mould from growing since you eliminate the possibility of a damp environment that mould requires to grow.

3. An area must be thoroughly cleaned and dried up after a flood. By not getting a complete or a professional cleanup done, the area might still have traces of water from the flooding which will eventually give rise to mould.

4. Since showers, laundry area, and kitchen deal with water the most, keeping them properly ventilated will allow most of the water vapours to escape thus reducing the chances of mould growth in these commonly affected areas.

Most of the times, if the mould problem is small then the cleanup can be done by yourself. If you decide to use bleach to do the cleanup, then there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Mixing bleach with ammonia or other household cleaning solutions is a big no-no. 
• Keep the windows and doors open to allow fresh air to enter. Make sure there is proper ventilation in the area being cleaned. 
• Don’t forget to wear protective gloves and eyewear. Remember, safety comes first. 
• Follow the instructions given by the manufacturer when using bleach or any other cleaning product.

See Also: Different Types of Mould that Grow at Your Home

Mould can become a serious problem if not tackled in time. It is advised to get a professional mould cleanup as soon as you spot mould in your home. We at Bio Cleanse Services provide expert mould testing and mould cleanup services. Call now on 0427 411 789 or visit our website to know more.