Bane-Clene® News and Views: Do Carpet Cleaning Detergents Help Deactivate the Coronavirus called SARS-COV-2 that Causes the Disease Called COVID-19?

Here’s how they help destroy the coronavirus.

SARS-CoV-2 is a type of enveloped virus. This just means it has an outside protective layer around its genetic material. The outside layer is made of fat molecules and is one of the possible targets for destroying the virus. Surfactants in carpet cleaning detergents attack the coronavirus much like they emulsify oil in the water. One side of the surfactant molecule (the hydrophobic part that’s attracted to fat and repelled by water) wedges its way into the virus’ fat and protein protective shell and the other part (the water-loving hydrophilic part) sticks out in the detergent solution. This action breaks down the virus’ protective layer and makes it soluble in water, and it disintegrates. The harmless ripped apart pieces of the virus are then extracted from the carpet or rug into your recovery tank along with all the soil in the carpet or rug.

Coronaviruses belong to the class of enveloped viruses, which are covered by a fatty layer. When a COVID-19 victim coughs, sneezes, defecates and maybe even exhales, the virus has to get back inside someone quickly or it will perish. The SARS-CoV-2 virus lasts only four hours in droplet form, one day on cardboard, two days on stainless steel and three days on plastic surfaces, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

HOW LONG CAN CORONAVIRUS SURVIVE ON CARPET? Viruses such as COVID-19 can also remain infectious for about twice as long on non-porous surfaces than porous surfaces. Because carpets and upholstery are considered porous surfaces — just like clothing, wood and similar materials — they’re less hospitable to COVID-19 than non-porous ones.

CDC: Current evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings. For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. The CDC specifically recommends the following process for cleaning carpets. For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning - use products with the EPA-approved emerging viral pathogen claims that are suitable for porous surfaces.

We have received many phone calls wanting to know if cleaning the carpet in a home or office would be a measure to take to prevent or remove germs that may be associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the answer is “yes”. The best defense for preventing illness from the coronavirus is to avoid being exposed along with cleaning and disinfecting your work and living space. Maintaining a clean and sanitary surrounding at all times is essential for preventing the virus from spreading. One method being used by many of our customers to prespray with Sporicidin^® EPA approved disinfectant followed by extraction cleaning the carpet with the Bane-Clene^® truck mounted carpet cleaning system. Sporicidin is fast acting and goes to work in as little as two minutes, has carpet cleaning, deodorizing & decontamination claims on the label and recommends it be applied as you would a pre-spray, followed with hot water extraction and rapid drying. If desired, you can then reapply Sporicidin to continue sanitizing the carpet or rug.

NOTE: If you prevacuum the carpet or rug, only use a vacuum with a hepa-filter.

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