by Vicki Weber LVT (Shelter Medicine LVT, Cornell University)
Transmission of SARS-CoV2 occurs through respiratory droplets and fomites, such as doorknobs and other frequently touched surfaces. Current evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may remain viable from hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials such as hard plastics and metal. Cleaning of visibly dirty and high-touch surfaces followed by disinfection is considered a best practice for prevention of COVID-19 in households and community settings. Fortunately, SARS-CoV2 is easily inactivated with most cleaning products, including soap and water.
So, you and your staff have been busy cleaning these last few weeks to decrease the possible transmission of SARS-CoV2 in your shelter. Now you are running low on cleaning products. Cleanings supplies are sold out or on back order with your suppliers. And, although your nearest grocery or home supply store may have some supplies, in many places their shelves are empty! So, now what?? Despite limiting the number of animals in your shelter and decreasing your staff, you still have kennels and cages, dishes and toys, laundry, work spaces, and floors to clean. How can you make cleaning products last longer, OR what can you replace them with?
To aid in extending the life and use of cleaning supplies, consider the following:
- Spot cleaning – spot-cleaning cat cages and dog runs is recommended when the occupants aren’t moving, and saves supplies and time.
- Detergents – many products marketed for kennel use have detergent and disinfectant properties but require two applications. Rather than using more of the product to remove organic matter and then disinfect, consider using an actual soap detergent first followed by your disinfectant after drying. Find contact times for common disinfectants here .
- Strategies – consider strategically decreasing the concentration of the cleaning solutions you use by reviewing dilution guidelines and options. Low-risk populations and areas can often use a more diluted solution, but you need to read the labels for mixing and contact times to be sure you are making appropriate choices. For RescueTM, 1:64 is the dilution recommended for SARS-CoV2 with a 5-minute contact time.
- Substitution – For human areas where you are worried about SARS-CoV2, household products are sufficient. Bleach, with its varying dilutions and contact times, is a great disinfectant as long as you have cleaned the surface first with a detergent. Find a bleach calculator here .
ASPCApro Sanitation Decision Tree:
Find the complete document with spot cleaning guides for cats and dogs, bleach dilution guide, disinfectant quick reference and sanitation decision tree listed below, along with an additional resource geared towards COVID-19 facility operations and sanitation and disinfection.
Do’s and Don’ts of Extending and Replacing Disinfectants During Covid19
Best Friends Network – COVID-19 Resources: Facility Operations
https://network.bestfriends.org/covid-19/facility-operations
