Disinfecting Service & Cleaning

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can survive on some surfaces, like towels, razors, furniture, and athletic equipment for hours, days, or even weeks. It can spread to people who touch a contaminated surface, and MRSA can cause infections if it gets into a cut, scrape, or open wound.
How can I keep my hands clean to prevent the spread of germs like MRSA?

Keeping your hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs like MRSA. Use soap and water to clean your hands if available. After wetting your hands and adding soap, scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. If you cannot access soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to clean hands. Apply the sanitizer to one hand, rub your hands together, trying to cover all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.

How can I clean and disinfect surfaces to prevent MRSA infection?

    Cleaners or detergents are products that remove soil, dirt, dust, organic matter, and germs (like bacteria, viruses, and fungi). They lift dirt and germs off surfaces so they can be rinsed away with water. Cleaning with a detergent is necessary to remove dirt that can prevent disinfectants from working. Some disinfectants have a cleaning agent mixed in, check the label to know which product you have.
    Disinfectants are chemical products that are used to kill germs in healthcare settings. Disinfectants effective against Staphylococcus aureus, or staph, are also effective against MRSA. The disinfectant’s label should have a list of germs that the product can kill, along with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration number. These products are also sold at grocery and other retail stores and may be helpful when someone has an infected wound.

What should I clean to prevent MRSA from spreading?

When cleaning and disinfecting, focus on surfaces that frequently contact people’s bare skin like desks, chairs, benches, gym equipment, lockers, faucets, light switches and remote controls. In particular, clean any surfaces that could come into contact with uncovered wounds, cuts, or boils. In addition to cleaning surfaces, frequently cleaning hands and keeping wounds covered keeps MRSA from spreading.

Large surfaces, such as floors and walls, have not been associated with the spread of staph and MRSA. There is no evidence that spraying or fogging rooms or surfaces with disinfectants will prevent MRSA infections more effectively than the targeted approach of cleaning frequently touched surfaces and surfaces that have been exposed to open wounds.