The main reason why sharing a vacuum isn’t a good idea is because of germ cross-contamination. Now, in the covid era, we have learnt more than ever how germs can widespread in unpredictable and silent ways! Sharing vacuum cleaners between homes is definitely one of these ways.
Our new concern is:
How do we offer our clients and teach people about non cross-contamination cleaning?
Our cleaners and researchers have enough information to 100% guarantee free contamination from personal clothing, cleaning products, tools and linen. We have implemented a system in between cleaning that includes:
– storage of freshly washed clothing and linen.
– in-depth sterilization of cleaning products and tools.
The only tool we cannot 100% guarantee sterilization from, are vacuum cleaners.
HOW COME?
We utilize vacuums with HEPA filters and concealed bags. We are firm believers these two requirements are the most efficient formula to prevent cross contamination and efficiently clean all microbes from your home.
However, even with such precautions, the problem lies on the vacuum pipe, hose and floor brush.
To efficiently avoid cross-contamination amongst shared vacuum we would need to guarantee an effective sterilization of these parts of the vacuum system. In order to do this, it would be necessary to use technologies, such as: tea tree oil high-temperature steamer, or rubbing alcohol bath, followed by a high temperature blow dryer. A process that requires machinery and time. Although it is possible, it is by no means practical or cheap.
For Sparkling Clean Pro‘s clients, we can guarantee properly sterilizing floor brushes with rubbing alcohol, however, we cannot guarantee that vacuum hoses or pipes won’t carry contaminated particles.
Our conclusion is: It is not advisable to share vacuums. Especially at homes where members have severe allergy concerns and fragile immune systems.
WHAT WE RECOMMEND
- For our clients we recommend that our cleaning technicians may utilize your private vacuum, in order to avoid cross-contamination from other houses, they have previously cleaned from. With a guarantee of vacuum care and cleaning at the end of service.
- For the general public we recommend buying your own vacuum for your private home and car, and respectfully denying a friends or neighbors request for vacuum sharing.
We recommend the brand MIELE, with concealed 100% biodegradable dust bags and HEPA filters that capture’s 99.97% of 0.3 microns
ABOUT MICROBES AND VACUUMS
Microbes accumulate in our homes, in the form of food particles, dead skin cells, hair, particles from linen and external pollution. External pollution only enter our homes, because of a contaminated material that someone or something brought in (eg: grocery bags, air, shoes, purses, clothing, outdoor pets, etc…). These microbes might contain viruses, bacteria, fungus, that if not properly cleaned can build up and infect residents with a cold, the flu, allergy attacks, asthma, covid-19 and the list goes on…
Using a vacuum is absolutely essential to get those microscopic particles out of your home. We recommend HEPA filters that capture’s 99.97% of 0.3 microns (please be sure that this specification is written, avoid purchasing filters that say ‘HEPA type’ or ‘HEPA like’), and concealed vacuum bags. Vacuums with dust compartments may seem more ecological, however, we estimate that for each concealed bag, you pour out the vacuum’s dust compartment 8 x. Meaning each time you breathe in those fumes. Concealed bags are guaranteed to be more sanitizing and many brands produce them 100% biodegradable and recyclable technology.
We are living in times where pollution, chemical contaminations and illnesses are higher than ever, making our green educational mission a life philosophy and political. We understand that it is up to people and business owners to properly research and implement the changes they would like to see spread. For us at Sparkling Clean Pro. we realize that sharing ‘how to properly clean’ is a significant part of educating new generations of ecological thinkers and to build communities that care about the well-being and health of neighbors, friends, clients and kin.