Why Are Spray Bottles and Aerosols a Problem? - 1 views
started by kbojezhang44 on 11 May 20
started by kbojezhang44 on 11 May 20
started by kbojezhang44 on 11 May 20
started by kbojezhang44 on 11 May 20
Well look at it like this. You spray a solution around, it lands on the surface and you wipe over the surface. This surface is then clean? This is a major gripe with us. We have seen good cleaning and we've seen some really sloppy, poor cleaning. Guess which ones use a spray bottle? It's certainly not any really good cleaners that we know.
The problem stems from the fact that the cleaning solution in the spray bottle or aerosol, under pressure, gets turned into a very fine mist. Part of this mist, the larger droplets, gets propelled towards the surface you're aiming at, and this usually the centre column of the spray. However beyond the centre of the spray, finer droplets are suspended in the air and it is these fine droplets that are our first major problem. Picture yourself spraying a table top with an ordinary hard surface detergent, or even a disinfectant solution. Now, you move closer to the table top with a cloth to wipe the spray over the table, in doing so you have just walked through those fine droplets and breathed them in, without even realising it.
You must remember that detergent cleaning solutions are known inhalation irritants to the lungs and mucous membranes; they are also irritants to eyes and other soft tissues. Very mild detergent solutions will not result in acute symptoms, but with repeated use all day, every day as part of a cleaner's job, there is the likelihood of chronic symptoms developing. As the "strength" (not concentration) of the cleaning solution increases, that is the cleaning solution designed to handle heavy-duty soiling, the onset of respiratory problems starts earlier and with increasing severity. Certain types of cleaning products, like acid-based products for descaling and brick cleaning, strong disinfectant solutions or Bleach-based products cause very severe acute respiratory symptoms and can even require immediate hospital attention.
For light-duty cleaning, which is typical in most instances where spray bottles are used, then a Microfiber cloth and just water in a spray bottle is ideal. Microbfibers work best with just a fine spray of water, you really don't need a detergent for light-duty cleaning, plus there is no risk of respiratory problems.
The second problem is a cleaning standard problem. Spray bottles tends to concentrate the spray in the centre and leave a distinctive tight spray pattern on the surface, a cloth is then used to wipe the solution around while spraying another area. This becomes a problem when shortcuts are made in an effort to speed up the task, in that areas on the surface are missed out and it's often hard to see what areas have been cleaned and what areas have not. If you transplant this cleaning task to a hospital or a food preparation area or any area where hygiene is paramount, then missing areas becomes a possible hygiene risk, more so if disinfectant solution is used as part of a disinfection procedure.
Clearly, this second problem is predominately a training issue and an apathy issue, the best equipment can't cure this, only the will and motivation of cleaning staff can.
As a final note, the act of spraying a surface can have unintended consequences. The over-spray can land on the floor and cause a slip hazard, if the floor is a typical non-carpeted hard floor.