Damp Wiping Procedure
Recommended Supplies and Cleaning Equipment:
EPA Registered Cleaner/Disinfectant
All-Purpose Detergent Cleaner
Trigger Sprayer (Labeled), Pump-Up Sprayer,
Pressurized Aerosol, Foam, etc.
Wiping Material (Rags, Paper Towel, Sponge,
etc.)
Recommended Method:
1.
As in all cleaning
procedures, the first step is to gather the recommended janitorial
equipment together and bring to the area to be cleaned.
2.
Start damp cleaning all
horizontal surfaces in the room at the entrance doorway.
3.
Work your way around the room
in a clockwise or counter-clockwise pattern.
4.
Spray the item to be damp
wiped or spray the rag, paper towel, sponge, etc. with freshly diluted
or ready-to-use solution.
5.
Wipe the surface, paying
particular attention to obvious soil spots. Don’t overlook the edges of
tables, chairs, shelves, etc.
6.
Wipe all horizontal and
vertical surfaces on an as-needed basis.
While this procedure may seem very basic, the damp wiping
procedure is crucial to the daily control of soil and micro-organisms.
If you are damp wiping in a health care facility, it is
recommended that you use the cleaner/disinfectant. By pre-mixing and
placing in a properly-labeled spray bottle, you are ensured that the
solution is clean and fresh each time you spray. If you are using a rag
or sponge for wiping, you should also have a bucket of properly-mixed
cleaner/disinfectant and rinse and wring your wiping material frequently
as you work around the room.
If you are damp wiping in other facilities, an
all-purpose cleaner is acceptable if you are not trying to control
micro-organisms. As above, even if you are not trying to disinfect, a
pail of properly-mixed all-purpose cleaner will ensure that the wiping
material is clean as you go along. When the solution becomes dirty,
the cleaner is no longer effective and it is time to prepare another
pail.
An alternate method for either health care facilities or
other facilities is the “Pail and Wipe” method, eliminating the use of
spray bottles and/or aerosols, pump bottles, etc. As previously
mentions, the pail should contain properly-mixed solution of either
cleaner/disinfectant or all-purpose cleaner. Again, be sure to change
the solution when it becomes visibly dirty.
The amount of time you spend damp wiping depends on the
amount of soil and the frequency of cleaning the area. In health care
facilities, it is recommended that all patient areas be damp-wiped
daily. Less frequency is required in non-patient areas and in
facilities other than health care.
Keep in
mind that the more often you damp wipe, the easier it is each time

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