The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed our understanding of cleanliness, hygiene, and sanitization. As Canada and the world transitions to a post-pandemic reality, many of the cleaning protocols developed during the height of the pandemic have evolved into new standards that are likely here to stay. At Belaya Petrushka, we've been at the forefront of implementing these enhanced cleaning protocols for businesses across Canada. This article explores the key changes in cleaning and sanitization practices that have emerged from the pandemic and how they continue to evolve.
The Science-Driven Evolution of Cleaning
Prior to 2020, commercial cleaning primarily focused on aesthetics with some attention to general hygiene. The pandemic shifted this focus dramatically, bringing scientific principles of disinfection and pathogen control to the forefront. Today's cleaning protocols are now heavily informed by epidemiological research and microbiology.
Key scientific shifts in cleaning protocols:
- Contact time awareness: Understanding that disinfectants need specific "dwell times" to effectively kill pathogens
- Surface-specific approaches: Recognizing that different materials require different cleaning methods and products
- Pathogen-specific targeting: Selecting products based on their efficacy against specific microorganisms
- Cross-contamination prevention: Implementing systematic cleaning approaches that prevent the spread of contaminants from one area to another
The Public Health Agency of Canada now provides detailed guidance on cleaning and disinfection that incorporates this scientific understanding, and professional cleaning services have adopted these principles into their standard procedures.
Expert Insight:
"The pandemic created a paradigm shift in how we approach cleaning. What was once considered 'clean enough' no longer meets the standard. We now understand that proper disinfection requires precision in product selection, application method, and contact time. These principles aren't just for pandemic response—they're fundamental to maintaining healthy environments."
- Dr. Angela Chen, Infection Control Specialist, Canadian Public Health Association
High-Touch Surface Prioritization
One of the most significant lessons from the pandemic was the importance of focusing on high-touch surfaces—areas frequently touched by multiple people that can serve as transmission points for pathogens.
The new approach to high-touch surfaces:
- Identification and mapping: Systematically identifying all high-touch surfaces in a facility
- Frequency-based cleaning: Cleaning these surfaces more often based on usage patterns
- Material-appropriate disinfection: Using the right products for each surface type
- Documentation: Maintaining logs of when high-touch surfaces were last disinfected
- Technology integration: Using antimicrobial coatings and materials where appropriate
A Health Canada study found that doorknobs, light switches, elevator buttons, and shared equipment can harbor viruses for up to 72 hours, making regular disinfection of these surfaces essential even in non-pandemic times.
Air Quality and Ventilation Considerations
The pandemic highlighted the importance of airborne transmission in the spread of pathogens. As a result, air quality has become an integral part of comprehensive cleaning protocols.
New approaches to air quality:
- HVAC system maintenance: Regular cleaning and filter replacement with higher efficiency options
- Air purification systems: Installation of HEPA filtration and UV-C technology
- Humidity control: Maintaining optimal humidity levels (40-60%) to reduce pathogen viability
- Ventilation rate increases: Maximizing fresh air exchange where possible
- Air quality monitoring: Measuring particulate matter, CO2 levels, and VOCs to assess air quality
Did You Know?
Studies by the University of Toronto have shown that proper ventilation can reduce the concentration of airborne pathogens by up to 80%. Many buildings in Canada are now being retrofitted with enhanced ventilation systems as part of their post-pandemic safety measures.
Advanced Disinfection Technologies
The pandemic accelerated the adoption of new disinfection technologies that were previously seen primarily in healthcare settings. These technologies are now becoming standard in many commercial and public spaces.
Emerging disinfection technologies:
- Electrostatic sprayers: These devices positively charge disinfectant droplets so they wrap around and cling to surfaces, providing more complete coverage
- UV-C light disinfection: Ultraviolet light systems that can kill bacteria and viruses without chemicals
- Hydrogen peroxide vapor: Systems that release a fine mist of hydrogen peroxide to disinfect entire rooms
- Antimicrobial surfaces: Materials and coatings that actively kill microorganisms on contact
- Far-UVC technology: Emerging technology that kills pathogens while being safe for human exposure
At Belaya Petrushka, we've incorporated electrostatic spraying into our enhanced cleaning services, allowing us to disinfect large areas more effectively and efficiently than traditional methods.
Employee Training and Certification
The complexity of modern cleaning protocols requires a higher level of training and expertise than ever before. Professional cleaners now need specialized knowledge and skills.
Enhanced training standards:
- Pathogen-specific knowledge: Understanding how different viruses and bacteria spread and survive
- Chemical safety: Proper handling, mixing, and application of disinfectants
- Equipment operation: Training on specialized equipment like electrostatic sprayers
- Cross-contamination prevention: Proper techniques to avoid spreading pathogens during cleaning
- PPE protocols: Appropriate use of personal protective equipment for different cleaning tasks
- Industry certifications: Formal certification programs for cleaning professionals
At Belaya Petrushka, all our staff undergo comprehensive training that incorporates these elements, and many have achieved certification from the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) and other professional organizations.
Risk Assessment and Customized Protocols
Post-pandemic cleaning has moved away from one-size-fits-all approaches to more tailored cleaning plans based on specific risk factors. This risk-based approach allows for more efficient allocation of cleaning resources.
Factors considered in modern risk assessments:
- Occupancy levels: How many people use the space and how densely
- Vulnerability of occupants: Whether the population includes higher-risk individuals
- Nature of activities: What activities occur in the space (e.g., eating, exercising, quiet office work)
- Surface types: What materials are present and how they interact with pathogens and cleaning products
- Local disease prevalence: Current community levels of infectious diseases
- Circulation patterns: How people move through and interact with the space
This approach allows for the development of cleaning protocols that address the specific needs of each facility rather than applying a generic standard everywhere.
Documentation and Transparency
The pandemic created a heightened awareness of cleaning practices among the general public. In response, there's now an expectation of greater transparency around cleaning protocols.
New standards in cleaning documentation:
- Cleaning logs: Detailed records of when areas were cleaned and by whom
- Product disclosure: Information about the cleaning products being used
- Protocol publication: Making cleaning procedures available to building occupants
- Certification displays: Visible indicators that spaces have been professionally cleaned
- QR code access: Easy ways for occupants to verify when spaces were last cleaned
This transparency helps build confidence that spaces are being properly maintained and creates accountability for maintaining high standards.
Best Practice:
Many of our clients now display cleaning certificates or QR codes that allow visitors to see when the space was last cleaned and what procedures were followed. This simple step has been shown to increase customer confidence and satisfaction in retail and hospitality settings.
Sustainability Considerations
The dramatic increase in disinfection during the pandemic raised concerns about environmental impacts. The post-pandemic approach seeks to balance effective sanitation with sustainability.
Sustainable cleaning innovations:
- Concentrated products: Reducing packaging and transportation impacts
- Biodegradable formulations: Disinfectants that break down safely in the environment
- Reusable systems: Moving away from single-use wipes and materials
- Water-efficient equipment: Machines that use less water while maintaining effectiveness
- Targeting approach: Using stronger disinfectants only where truly needed
These approaches help ensure that enhanced cleaning doesn't come at an unacceptable environmental cost.
The Psychological Dimension of Cleanliness
The pandemic changed not just how we clean but how we think about and perceive cleanliness. There's now greater recognition of the psychological impact of clean environments.
Addressing psychological aspects of cleanliness:
- Visible cleaning: Conducting some cleaning activities during occupied hours to reassure occupants
- Sensory cues: Using scent and visual cues that signal cleanliness
- Communication: Proactively informing occupants about cleaning practices
- Participatory approaches: Providing tools for occupants to maintain their immediate space
- Design modifications: Changing physical spaces to appear more hygienic (e.g., touchless fixtures, antimicrobial surfaces)
These elements are increasingly important for businesses that want to make customers and employees feel comfortable and secure in shared spaces.
Conclusion: The New Normal in Cleaning
As we've explored, the pandemic has permanently altered cleaning and sanitization practices across Canada and around the world. What began as emergency responses have evolved into nuanced, science-based protocols that better protect public health.
The key takeaways for businesses:
- Enhanced cleaning is now an expectation, not an exception
- Risk-based, targeted approaches are more effective than generic cleaning
- Advanced technologies enable more thorough disinfection with less disruption
- Comprehensive approaches include air quality, not just surface cleaning
- Transparency and communication about cleaning practices build trust
At Belaya Petrushka, we've embraced these changes and continually update our practices as new research and technologies emerge. Our goal is to provide commercial cleaning services that not only meet the heightened expectations of the post-pandemic world but do so in ways that are sustainable, efficient, and tailored to each client's unique needs.
While we all hope to avoid future pandemics, the silver lining is that our shared spaces are now cleaner, healthier, and better maintained than ever before—a benefit that will continue to protect public health long after the memory of COVID-19 begins to fade.