Hoarders expert reminds businesses, individuals, importance of being clean

Woman cleaning the house

By: Sam T. Jensen — [email protected]

Humboldt, IA — Many area businesses are closing their doors on a temporary basis due to concerns over spreading COVID-19. However, businesses deemed “essential” such as select retail or grocery stores are remaining open.

This raises the question on how to properly clean work areas.

Expert cleaner and CEO of Steri-Clean Cory Chalmers says that disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer will not cut it against the coronavirus.

“Because all these biofilms that sit on surfaces obstruct the disinfectant from reaching and penetrating the viruses.”

Chalmers says to remove biofilms, any spray cleaner will do the trick. The important part is scrubbing the area and using a clean towel.

“We’ll get a 12 by 12 rag. We’re going to fold it in half, then fold it in half again, and why we do this is we’ll clean just a couple feet with one quarter of the rag then flip it over to use for the next couple feet.”

Chalmers says if you keep using the same rag, you’re just spreading germs to other places, rather than actually cleaning. This advice goes for businesses or those at home. He says everyone has to do their part to help slow the spread. This is not something only affecting elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Chalmers says a 39-year-old completely healthy woman from his hometown in Idaho contracted the virus and is now on a ventilator.

“You got to take all the warnings, stay home as much as you can, disinfect and clean everything you can to stay safe.”

Chalmers is a featured expert on the TV show Hoarders and says that after his company deep cleans for people on the show, it still goes back to the individual to make changes. He says the same goes for people during the pandemic. It’s important to not rely on companies or outside help, but use the steps mentioned earlier to properly disinfect.