How Many Germs Live on High Touch Points?

High touch points (HTPs), or surfaces that are touched many times per day by dozens, hundreds or even thousands of people, can quickly become crowded with infectious microbes of all types. Dozens or even hundreds of different bacteria can reside on high touch point surfaces, some of which can be incredibly dangerous. Common examples include Staphylococcus aureus, the pathogen responsible for staph infections, and Enterococcus, a type of bacteria commonly responsible for UTIs.

Before you panic, it’s worth noting that people live around these pathogens without getting sick.

According to the CDC, Staphylococcus aureus can be found on the skin and nose of about 30 percent of people at any given time. It’s a much more serious concern for people vulnerable to staph infections, including those who have medical devices inserted in their bodies or weakened immune systems.

Studies performed on high touch point surfaces regularly find a diverse range of bacterial growth on virtually every surface they sample. These studies are often performed to test cleaning products and their effectiveness in high-risk settings, like hospitals.

The most reliable disinfecting solution is, unsurprisingly, disinfecting after every touch. Unfortunately, that’s simply not a feasible option when considering the most common high touch points in the average work, retail or healthcare setting. Some of the most common surfaces responsible for microbial transfer include:

• Door handles
• Staircase railings
• Water taps
• Elevator buttons
• Touchscreens
• Light switches
• Toilet seats and flush handles
• Sinks and soap dispensers
• Trash cans

What’s the Solution for Minimizing the Spread of Illnesses Due to High Touch Points?

Many disinfectants are highly effective at eliminating the majority of bacteria, viruses and microscopic fungi and spores living on high touch point surfaces, but the length of disinfection can vary. 

Some factors that will influence long-term effectiveness include dilution due to additional cleaning, exposure to water, concentration of the disinfectants and evaporation.

For example, alcohol-based cleaners are still popular in part because they evaporate quickly after killing pathogens on contact. It’s great for surfaces where you don’t want to leave any residue behind, which may be vital in certain settings (schools, childcare facilities, restaurants, etc.). However, an alcohol disinfectant’s ability to evaporate also means it offers very little prolonged protection. The strength of the solution also significantly influences overall disinfection effectiveness, with alcohol concentrations below 60 percent decreasing the solution’s efficacy.

Conversely, properly formulated quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) do provide comparatively long-term residual antimicrobial performance after the cleaning solution has dried. This may be ideal for high touch point surfaces that can’t feasibly be cleaned very often, like door handles, elevator buttons and handrails.

The residual protection of quats can be washed away by water or other cleaners, meaning additional cleaning in between applications will lessen or eliminate the longer-term protection offered by quats chemicals. This doesn’t mean your cleaners should avoid cleaning surfaces disinfected with quats, but the timing of follow-up cleanings should be thoughtfully scheduled.

Hydrogen peroxide, popular in hospitals, can be ideal in scenarios where cleaning between patients or frequently throughout the day is necessary and realistically feasible. Because hydrogen peroxide decomposes into water and oxygen after application, it leaves behind no high-risk residues. It delivers less long-term protection but can be applied frequently in high-risk settings.

Are There Professional-Grade Disinfectant Products or Applications?

Yes. Professional cleaners may have access to disinfectants with higher chemical concentrations that are not sold in traditional consumer-oriented stores. Some, like phenolic disinfectants, typically are not sold to the average consumer because application should be performed by trained professionals with the proper gear. Its highly potent nature makes using it dangerous without appropriate training or personal protective equipment.

There are also some specialized products, like microbial sealants or antimicrobial surface coatings, that are exclusive to professional cleaning. The precision of application is key to the long-term efficacy of these products.

Get Long-Term Protection for Your Facilities in Midlands and Odessa

West Texas Commercial Cleaning offers a diverse array of professional-grade cleaning services to all types of corporate, institutional, government and educational clients in and around Midland and Odessa. This includes our reliable electrostatic disinfecting and fogging services using CDC and EPA-registered industrial-strength disinfectant products.

Our office cleaning and janitorial professionals also utilize professional-grade cleaning practices and materials during routine and one-off cleaning services to ensure your workplace is safe for employees and customers. Plus, all our services are backed by a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee.

Call us at 432-552-9520 to schedule a cleaning quote or to request additional information on our disinfectants and procedures.