Curious about what we are doing about the coronavirus that causes Covid-19? We realize that cleanliness is top of mind for many of you right now. Accordingly, we are now following enhanced cleaning protocols through our use of professional cleaning companies who use EPA-approved products, follow CDC-recommendations to protect the safety of guests and all of our service partners. In addition these professionals give extra attention to high-touch surfaces and end the cleaning with a sanitization spray process that helps wrap around surfaces that normal cleaning will not reach.
We use accurate, reputable sources of information and have a proactive plan to manage and minimize the risks associated with the virus that causes Covid-19.
It is worth noting that there are a lot of suggestions floating around out there around how to make places safe from Covid-19. For example, based on how we think the virus can last on a variety of surfaces and how long it can linger in the air, some have suggested certain waiting periods before cleaners enter a property and before new guests arrive. However, it is important to understand that while waiting periods between stays or cleaner entries could help minimize likelihood of contamination, it does not replace enhanced cleaning processes. As such, we do not anticipate maintaining a specific waiting period in-between guests unless required to do so.
So what are we doing, specifically?
- To begin with, we are consulting Covid-19 guidelines provided jointly by the Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA) and the Vacation Rental Housekeeping Association (VRHP). You can find these here.
- We are following the Pinellas County Safety Plan approved by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- We are providing written copies of CDC sanitation guidance and resources in the rental home.
- We are providing written copies of CDC resources, including “What you should know about Covid-19 to protect yourself and others” and “Prevent the spread of Covid-19 if you are sick” in the rental home.
- We use remote check-in and check-out procedures to minimize contact with property owners and managers
- Contractors working in our rental homes have been provided CDC related safety guidance to avoid the transmission of the virus and provide further protection of workers and guests.
- Utilize this enhanced checklist when cleaning.
- Following the Florida DBPR Information for Vacation Rentals pursuant to Executive Order 20-123 issued May 15, 2020
Note: These recommendations include training regarding proper and safe cleaning techniques and proper security. While the guidelines are derived in part from federal agency regulations and recommendations, they do not ensure the health of us, our housekeepers or our guests. They do, however, provide steps that can be used to augment existing cleaning processes to help mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
Cleaning for you!
Cleaning and disinfection equipment
Our cleaning professionals clean their tools and personal protective equipment to minimize the risk of contamination. Cleaning products used are in good condition and appropriate for the property. Safety equipment is utilized where needed
Cleaning and sanitization (not disinfection) process
Cleaning is our first step in the overall process. It utilizes soaps (or detergents) and water to remove germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. This process doesn’t necessarily kill germs but instead reduces their numbers and therefore the risk of spreading.
Disinfection is the process of killing germs on surfaces or objects through the use of chemicals. Disinfection is not a cleaning process, but because it kills germs it too can lower the risk of spreading the virus. We use EPA-registered household disinfectants.
Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects.
We prioritize high-touch surfaces like door handles, locks, thermostats, controls and switches, remote controls, bathroom fixtures, high touch guest information.
Linens are washed at highest temperatures and dried completely before storing.
While we use both cleaning (soaps/detergents and water) and chemicals to on surfaces and objects in our homes, we make no representation that we have killed 100% of germs or the virus that causes Covid-19.
Spray sanitization treatment at the end – Vital Oxide
If you start to think about it, you can drive yourself nuts listing out all the difficult-to-clean components of a vacation rental home. Rugs? Drapes? Sofas? Is it possible to wash every item like this in a home between each and every guest? Despite our best intentions, not always.
Enter the Vital Oxide sanitization treatment. Follow these links to learn more about the product and equipment we use in Florida.
Link to Curtis Dyna Fog ES:
http://www.dynafog.com/products/sanitation-and-greenhouse/hurricane-es/
Vital Oxide Product Link:
FAQ’S for Vital Oxide:
https://vitaloxide.com/pages/q-a
Why we use an Electrostatic Sprayer/ Fogger:
We use this science to apply disinfectants. Electrostatic application of chemicals dramatically increases droplet attraction and attachment to surfaces. In fact, research indicates that electrostatic application is 8 times more effective than using an uncharged sprayer.
How does electrostatic disinfection work?
Electrostatic disinfection is a quick and easy way to achieve 360 degree, touch-less disinfection. While it may sound complicated, the technology is simple to understand. Electrostatic sprayers use positive and negative charges to make disinfecting solutions electromagnetically stick to targeted surfaces. For example, no matter which angle you disinfect a surface from, the charge created by the electrostatic sprayer makes the disinfectant wrap around and cling to the entire surface.
The kill time is about two minutes for bacteria and under two minutes for viruses. Best of all, no wiping is required with electrostatic spraying as it is with other procedures, and it’s safe for all surfaces including electronic equipment.
