How viruses are transmitted on surfaces

Over the last two years we’ve all been trying hard to combat an invisible enemy. But how likely are we to transmit the Covid 19 virus? Can viruses be transmitted on surfaces? 

Just like the common cold, infection from a coronavirus usually occurs through close contact with an infected person.  Coughs, sneezes or hand contact are the most common ways the virus passes from one person to another.  

The University of Plymouth says that “a person can also catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands”

Can the coronavirus survive on surfaces? 

The amount of time that scientists believe COVID-19 can survive on a surface is between 2 hours to 9 days.  The survival time depends on various factors such as the type of surface, temperature, relative humidity and the specific strain of the virus.

How viruses are transmitted on surfaces – factors to consider:

• The time between when a surface becomes contaminated and when a person touches the surface.
• The interaction with environmental factors (e.g. heat and evaporation)
• The amount of virus expelled from an infected person.

There’s been a lot of research into how viruses are transmitted on surfaces and how long they can survive.

On porous surfaces, the virus is unlikely to be detected after minutes or hours.

However, on non-porous surfaces, an active virus can still be detected days or weeks later.  

And if you’re wondering: 

• A porous surface could be paper, untreated wood, cardboard, sponge or fabric.  
• A non-porous surface could include plastic, glass, metal, leather, vinyl, or ceramics.

How effective is cleaning and disinfection

Hand washing is still one of the most effective things you can do to prevent transmission.  Using soap, detergent or a specific antimicrobial solution can substantially reduce your ability to pass the virus on.

Once the virus is on a surface though, it must be treated with a disinfectant product or specially designed cleaning technology.

The Rutland Cleaning Company’s Professional Disinfection Service

The professional disinfection service that I offer sanitises all the surfaces at your location. I can bring my disinfection equipment to offices, shops, leisure facilities as well as healthcare, education or home settings.

My system uses a European certified antimicrobial disinfectant via a CE approved fogging machine.  This produces, as its name suggests, a fine mist-like fog that allows tiny particles of antimicrobial disinfectant to cover every inch of indoor space.

The Rutland Cleaning Company is one of only a handful of companies in the UK that can provide digital testing to prove the effectiveness of the disinfection.  State-of-the-art digital measuring equipment clearly shows you that the decontamination has been effective with before and after tests.  I also provide you with an official certificate of sanitising after each treatment.

The products I use successfully kill 99.9999% of bacteria and viruses. They have been independently tested and proven to be effective against:

• Coronavirus (e.g. SARS, MERS)
• Hepatitis C Virus
• Swine flu
• Feline Calicivirus (human Norovirus surrogate)
• Feline Coronavirus (SARA surrogate)
• Tuberculosis
• HIV
• C.difficile

*plus many more

For more details about the services I offer and news about The Rutland Cleaning Company, please follow me on Facebook and Instagram