Overcoming Challenges on the New Frontier of Apartment Cleaning

A big challenge facing facilities maintenance teams at multifamily properties every day is reducing exposure to COVID-19 in the process of apartment cleaning, including not just the units themselves but also leasing offices, common areas and other areas of the property. Cleaning and maintenance is no longer about just wiping down surfaces. Deeper and more frequent applications of multiple, powerful solutions are being used to limit the virus’ spread. The CDC prescribes a two-pronged approach of routinely cleaning with soap and water, then applying a properly mixed disinfectant to achieve safe levels of sanitization. And the more frequently surfaces are touched, the more they should be treated. Now a year into the pandemic, most multifamily facilities maintenance teams have made deeper cleansings routine. But experts say keeping things germ-free isn’t the only issue at play. There’s a safety issue for the teams to consider as well. These experts advise extreme care when handling disinfecting and sanitizing products, some of which can be harmful to health or damage surfaces if not used according to directions. Clean first, disinfect next At the recent virtual RealPage Maintenance Summit, industry professionals encouraged maintenance teams to be smart about using products that are effective in killing germs associated with the virus. They advise wearing masks, reading instructions, and getting proper training to safely use the many available solutions on the market. “There’s a proper way to clean, disinfect and keep yourself and your residents safe, so continue to be diligent about that,” says Nate Gaubert, who manages research and new product development for Spartan Chemical Co. “Trust your resources, ask questions, seek out your training. When in doubt, read your label and trust it’s been vetted to do what it needs to do.” Gaubert joined HD Supply’s Brian Collins, Gregory Kashmanian of Pro Multifamily...