Coronavirus (COVID-19): Updates – Effective March 23, 2020
Advantage Equipment, Inc. is closely monitoring Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other appropriate national and local public health authorities. Advantage Equipment’s top priority is the health and well-being of our customers and their customers.
In alignment with CDC recommendations, families should continue to monitor and observe the best levels of cleanliness and hygiene possible. This includes regularly washing your hands and clothes. Additionally, hard surfaces such as tables and handles should be disinfected after each encounter. However, each area that processes using commercial laundry equipment may need to address the growing Coronavirus concern in different manners. We want to take some time to update how each industry is being affected, and how they can best protect themselves, following CDC’s recommendations.
1. Laundromats: Self-Service & Full-Service
Leading the charge for laundromats has been the Coin Laundry Association (CLA). During this time, they are requesting that authorities designate laundromats as providing “essential services” during the COVID-19 outbreak. Laundromat facilities provide a basic public health function that serves millions of families with a safe place to do their laundry every week.
General Cleaning Principles for Laundromats: The CDC recommends cleaning and sanitizing hard surfaces and other “high touch areas” within their store. These includes machine handles, soap dispensers, vending machines, tables, chairs, folding tables, restrooms, payment kiosks, and much more. These areas should be cleaned and disinfected using disposable gloves whenever possible.
Read more from the CDC’s website here.
General Washing / Drying Principles for Laundromats: When handling dirty laundry from an ill person, the CDC suggests wearing disposable gloves, then disposing them after each use. Items should not be shaken or fluffed, as this can disperse the virus through the air. Items should be laundered in accordance with the manufacturer’s label, and if possible, on the warmest water setting. Additionally, items should be dried completely. Per the CDC, dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items. Hampers should be cleaned and disinfected per the CDC guidelines for the type of material.
Read more about proper laundering here.
CLA: Safe Laundering Guidelines (PDF)
2. On-Premise Laundry (OPL): Hospitality, Healthcare, Veterinary, Etc.
At this time, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) & American Health Care Association (AHCA) are coordinating with local & national authorities on next steps to combat COVID-19 . They are working closely with vendors to ensure their residents stay safe during the COVID-19 outbreak. Hospitality & healthcare already follow strict guidelines and protocols designed to prevent the spread of diseases from the flu to less common illnesses.
Areas currently being affected: Hotels, Motels, Assisted Living, Nursing Homes, Senior Care, Skilled Care, and More.
General Cleaning & Laundry Principles for On-Premise Laundry (OPL) Facilities: The CDC has various recommendations based on the industry that is being affected. Additionally, certain industries like healthcare, must take additionally steps to ensure protection for their residents. More information can be found on their respective websites. Those can be found by clicking below.
Read more from American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) here
Read more from the American Health Care Association (AHCA) here
How Advantage Equipment Can Help Your Facility
Advantage Equipment, Inc. is dedicated to aiding industries in the fight against Coronavirus COVID-19. All of our staff and factory trained technicians are taught best practices when attending your property for service or installation work. Protective apparel of rubber gloves and respirators are worn on every call. In some instances, our technicians will wear full PPE suits to protect themselves and your customers / members.
Additionally, we have resources and systems in place to help your facility:
- Ozone laundry systems – Ozone sanitizes and disinfects laundry through washing. Ozone can kill blood-borne pathogens like MRSA, C. Diff., and many others. It also kills influenza, HIB, Hepatitis A, and other deadly viruses
- Hard Surface Chemical Systems – By proudly utilizing the Integra Program by Anderson Chemical Company, we are supplying various chemicals to fight off viruses and bacteria. These products are listed on the EPA’s list N which lists products that meet EPA’s criteria to use against SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19.
- Defend – EPA Registration No. 1839-95-150 – phosphate-free institutional cleaner, disinfectant, and viricide. Designed for hard surfaces like stainless steel, tables, chairs, folding tables, etc. Proven to be effective against HBV, HCV, Herpes, human coronaviruses, and SARS-CoV-2 the cause of COVID-19*.
- Q-Force 256 – EPA Registration 10324-141-150 – No-rinse, neutral pH, hospital grade disinfectant cleaner that works in one labor-saving step. This product is effective against: Influenza (H3N2 virus), H5N1 virus, and it kills Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, HIV-1 bloodborne pathogens, and human coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19*.
*Please see more information on these products here from The Integra Program.