Managing the Unintended Consequences of Apartment Cleaning During COVID-19

Apartment cleaning shifted into high gear with the onset of COVID-19, including deep cleansings of everything on the property. Surfaces, floors, appliances and just about everything else were scrubbed with potent disinfectants and sanitizers to prevent the spread of the virus. More than a year later, however, the after-effects of frequent cleanings – some with harsh chemicals – are starting to show. Carpets are yellowing, doorknobs are changing colors and vinyl floors are pitting. Overuse and misapplication of disinfectants and sanitizers, some of which require personal protective equipment (PPE) to apply, are the likely suspects. “This is a big topic,” Shaw Industries National Director Jim Mannes said during a recent cleaning podcast. “There are a lot of unintended consequences that we are seeing.” Mannes said powerful products once reserved for annual deep cleanings have been used much more over the past year. Overuse, overspray and spreading by human feet are taking a toll on floors. But other touch points are being affected inside apartments and common areas. Just about all interior finishes have in some way been exposed to chemicals used for disinfection and sanitization, despite precautions.  “When you consider the interior-built environment, a lot of these products as we know get spread around,” Mannes said. “Human beings are very efficient transporters of soil and contamination. Where you typically see that problem present itself is anywhere where you transition from a hard to a soft surface.” The soup on the floor Mannes has seen first-hand a lot of damage at apartment communities resulting from chemical over- application during apartment cleaning. Shaw Industries, a residential and commercial flooring supplier, is working to understand exactly the effects of quaternary and phenolic compounds and oxidizers used in disinfectants and sanitizers. Use and handling of such chemicals require...