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Sanitizing products that are safe but effective against coronavirus?

  • 1.  Sanitizing products that are safe but effective against coronavirus?

    Posted 05-05-2020 09:22 AM

    Hello!
    We are still closed, but want to be prepared for the day when we can reopen. One of the many concerns we have is that our current sanitizer is not effective against COVID-19 unless we make it in a much stronger solution (our test strips don't even go that high) and leave it on the surface for 10 minutes instead of two minutes. Also, it would have to be rinsed instead of left to air dry. We currently use quaternine ammonia in concentrated form, which is cost-effective.

    Please share what you are doing or plan to do in terms of sanitizing. I know the EPA has a list of products, but would love to hear which of these are best for us in early childhood.

    thank you!



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    Nina Burrows
    Preschool Director
    FUMC Preschool
    Fort Worth TX
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  • 2.  RE: Sanitizing products that are safe but effective against coronavirus?

    Posted 05-06-2020 06:52 AM
    Hi Nina, 

    Have you considered using soap and water?  See video link below.

    https://www.cnn.com/videos/health/2020/04/17/dr-sanjay-gupta-demo-how-to-clean-with-soap-and-water-coronavirus-town-hall-vpx.cnn

    Kathy Aplington

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    Kathleen Aplington
    Chicago IL
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  • 3.  RE: Sanitizing products that are safe but effective against coronavirus?

    Posted 05-06-2020 08:50 AM
    Nina, 
    I highly recommend that you check with your local Health Department. They usually have very specific guidelines around sanitizing and the appropriate products to use.

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    Terri Kelley
    Elizabeth CO
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  • 4.  RE: Sanitizing products that are safe but effective against coronavirus?

    Posted 05-06-2020 11:11 AM
    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html
    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-childcare.html

    Hi Nina...  I'm an RN here in Texas,a Master Professional Trainer, and Child Care Health Consultant. I do training under the Core Competency 8 of Health, Safety, and Nutrition. 
    Above is a link to the CDC guidance for reopening child care centers and for those that remain open. Just realize they are recommended guideline.  
    Texas Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers 2018 has specific guidelines for ensuring a healthy environment at your center (pg.120). The product should have an EPA label that is to be followed.  If it is not approved by EPA there are specific steps after it's use (pg. 6) There have been some changes to guidelines over the last couple of years. Whole purpose of the use of EPA cleaners is to assure it does not harm the health of the children at the center. Not sure if the quaternine ammonia you use is EPA approved, but it should have on the Safety Data Sheet.
    I hope this is helpful.  I don't generally respond to these posts, because I don't know every states regulations! 
    Good luck to you and all others during this difficult time.


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    Sherry Hahn
    Kingsville TX
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  • 5.  RE: Sanitizing products that are safe but effective against coronavirus?

    Posted 05-06-2020 03:26 PM
    Steramine Sanitizing Tablets I found on line. You add 1 tablet to one gallon of water, and can safely eliminate bacteria on toys and surfaces that you would normally be spraying with bleach solution.  Safe for child care, epa approved to kill covid 19, and you don't have to make a new batch daily as you would with bleach. I found it on Ebay, but just do a search on google and read up on it yourself.


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    Kim Baxter
    owner
    Honeybee Child Care LLC
    Carleton MI
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  • 6.  RE: Sanitizing products that are safe but effective against coronavirus?

    Posted 05-06-2020 07:12 PM
    https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2#filter_col1

    Just following up with a little additional information about disinfecting supplies.  EPA opened up this web page to help people check whether the disinfectant they are using will be effective against COVID-19.  Generally that information is found on the bottle labels of the products, but COVID-19 is new so will not appear on labels at this time.  The directions for the site are pretty easy to understand.  By putting in the EPA number (found on the label) or the product name, it will show if it has been approved. It works! I tried it with some of my household cleaners. Some were on the list and some were not.

    I do infection control training for child-care centers here in Texas and I can tell you that not all disinfectants kill both viruses and bacteria.  The label may read "Anti-bacterial" (it will only kill certain bacteria) or it may say "Kills 99% of Viruses and Bacteria", but not all viruses and bacteria are equal.  There is always that 1%. It is extremely important to know the product you are using is the right one for the purpose you intend, and that it is safe. As I mentioned in my earlier post, some children are very sensitive to cleaning products i.e. asthma.

    Hope you all remain healthy and safe!!









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    Sherry Hahn
    Kingsville TX
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  • 7.  RE: Sanitizing products that are safe but effective against coronavirus?

    Posted 06-09-2020 11:59 AM
    Thank you, Kim!

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    Nina Burrows
    Preschool Director
    FUMC Preschool
    Fort Worth TX
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  • 8.  RE: Sanitizing products that are safe but effective against coronavirus?

    Posted 05-07-2020 07:55 AM
    As we all stay safe at home and eagerly anticipate returning to our little ones, we are aware that things will change. Policies, procedures, safety measures, etc. Let's start with the basics and support each other.

    What does your center use for sanitizer, disinfectant and what is your current cleaning policy? How do you feel this will change? Will the products you use change or just the frequency?

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    Heather Ha
    PPPIF Facilitator
    Program Manager
    CHI St. Joseph Children's Health
    Lancaster, PA
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  • 9.  RE: Sanitizing products that are safe but effective against coronavirus?

    Posted 05-09-2020 08:02 AM
    We are getting product from Ecolab which kills Coronavirus. It is multipurpose cleaner and disinfectant.

    Mona Bhatia

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    Mona Bhatia
    Director/Owner
    Kiddie Academy of Wexford & Cranberry
    Cranberry Twp PA
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  • 10.  RE: Sanitizing products that are safe but effective against coronavirus?

    Posted 05-13-2020 08:55 AM
    https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

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    Pamela McCullough
    Director
    GSCC
    Holland PA
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  • 11.  RE: Sanitizing products that are safe but effective against coronavirus?

    Posted 05-13-2020 08:55 AM
    https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

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    Pamela McCullough
    Director
    GSCC
    Holland PA
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  • 12.  RE: Sanitizing products that are safe but effective against coronavirus?

    Posted 06-10-2020 08:01 AM
    The state of New Hampshire has been supplying a product called Dual Blend-19 Lavender Disinfectant 256 EPA registration ​number 10324-141.

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    Lyn Schmucker
    Director/Lead Teacher
    Sunnybrook Montessori School
    Lancaster NH
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