De“MIST”ifying Fogging and Spraying

The process of “fogging” has been used for years as a solution in remediation and pest control, while the process of disinfecting has been a traditional one of bleach and rag for even longer than that. Over time, technology has advanced in commercial kitchens, food manufacturing facilities and barns, disinfecting with foam-based products that cover all surfaces. And, in the last decade, disinfectant spraying and fogging have both been used as a way to clean spaces such as classrooms and locker rooms, but those who used these processes were limited. Until this year, when suddenly fogging is a process that nearly EVERY business is now considering.

Let’s break fogging down and demystify what it is all about by answering some of the most common questions that we get!

What is Disinfectant Fogging and Spraying?                                                              

Disinfectant fogging and spraying is the process of using a piece of equipment (fogger or sprayer) to disperse disinfectant into a specific space. In the case of a fogger, the disinfectant travels through a high-speed vortex and is atomized into a fine mist or “fog”.  In the case of a sprayer, the disinfectant is “charged” as it exits the sprayer so that it attaches and wraps around a surface.

Why would I choose fogging or spraying over elbow grease?

Two words: Time and Efficiency! The solution of good old-fashioned elbow grease works, but this means that every surface in a room needs to be cleaned manually. This is time-consuming, allows more room for error (how often do you clean EVERY light switch?), and does not take into account dwell time (the length of time wet disinfectant needs to sit on a surface to actually disinfect it).

With fogging or spraying, once a room has been cleaned (the process of eliminating debris and dirt), the fogger or sprayer will do the work for you! In about a quarter of the time, every nook and cranny of a room will be covered with a layer of disinfectant that will eat all surface bacteria and viruses.

But is it safe?

100%!!! People have been fogging and spraying for a long time, but that does not mean SAFETY shouldn’t be considered when fogging and spraying as there are a few things to take into consideration.  First, what TYPE of disinfectant is being used? Secondly, what PPE makes sense for that disinfectant?

You should also consider the spaces and WHO/WHAT will be in the space. Just because you can pour it into a fogger or sprayer does not mean that you SHOULD! You also need to consider that when you fog/ spray, the disinfectant is changing from a liquid state to a vapour state. This is why we always advise working with experts who understand not only their product but others as well!

How do I know it works?

Similar to manually disinfecting, when disinfecting with a fogger or sprayer, the best way to know the efficacy of the treatment is to perform tests. This is the same as with manual cleaning. With fogging and spraying, you can assess the coverage of disinfectant with testing papers to ensure that all areas have been covered. There are also a variety of swab tests available to reveal more complex before and after results.

Fogging and spraying is a cost-effective way to ensure a COMPLETE and DEEP disinfecting of your space.  Whether you have a service provider complete the work for you or you choose to purchase equipment and disinfectant solutions on your own, Go Fog It™ can support all your disinfecting needs in one place!