With International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) recognized around the globe Oct. 14 – 20, ITW Dymon has released the '3 P's of Disinfecting' to help cleaning professionals who represent the "front-line" in preventing the spread of viruses and contagious diseases.

"Professional cleaners should be proud of the role they play in preventing the spread of diseases in office buildings, hospitals, schools and other public spaces," said ITW Dymon Director of Sales & Marketing Rich Bucher. "By keeping the '3 P's of Disinfecting' in mind, cleaners can further ensure they maintain the most effective first-line of defense in preventing the outbreak of disease."

The '3 P's of Disinfecting' include:

Product –It's important to only use disinfectants registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which ensures they have been scientifically tested and proven to perform for their intended use. Look for an EPA registration number on the product label or visit the EPA database.

Procedure – It's essential to follow the proper procedure when applying a product. Every disinfectant lists a "contact time" or a "dwell time" on the label that could be from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Surfaces being disinfected must be left wet with the product for the entire duration of this time. If not, the disinfectant may fail to kill all the germs and the disinfectant must be reapplied.

Place – For the cleaning product and procedure to be effective, it's critical to clean the proper places. Disinfect high-traffic areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, break rooms, office areas, classrooms, locker rooms and cafeterias often. Other surfaces prone to contact include desks, tables, chairs, benches, lockers, toys, door knobs, light switches, sinks, toilets, showers and refrigerator exteriors, to name a few.

Along with following the "3P's," Bucher says cleaning professionals should ensure they have a clear understanding of the differences between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting.

"Cleaning merely removes visible soil, dirt, stains and other debris from surfaces and is generally performed by wiping surfaces down using a multi-purpose cleaner or soap and water," he said. "Sanitizing is the process of reducing the number of disease-causing germs on cleaned surfaces to a safe level, while disinfection is a chemical process that actually destroys viruses, bacteria, germs and other harmful microorganisms."

International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) provides a focal point for infection preventionists, healthcare professionals, consumers, organizations, and industry partners to shine a light on infection prevention and its power to save lives.