A: There’s a lot we have yet to learn about the new Coronavirus called COVID-19. Although it’s believed that its primary method of infecting a host is through droplets transported in a cough, a sneeze, or through talking, there’s evidence that it might survive on surfaces and in the air for several hours or days. A human can then be exposed to COVID-19 by unknowingly getting it onto their hands when it’s still alive and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes (Public Health Agency of Canada).
Viruses can be killed by proper handwashing with soap and warm water or the use of hand sanitizers containing sufficient alcohol. There are specialized air purification technologies that leave the air and surfaces free of them. These devices use photo-catalytic oxidation, dielectric barrier ionization, or Far UVC light and are used in places, like health clinics and hospital operating rooms.
Cleaning your carpets and furniture with The Benchmark Standard Standard of Thorough Cleaning™ and/or hospital-grade disinfectant will kill viruses that might be alive on textile surfaces. However, viruses have a short life on textiles as opposed to hard surfaces. And it’s possible that a carrier can re-infect a recently cleaned textile. It’s not feasible, then, to clean your carpets and furniture every day. Cleaning will capture other types of live microbes, such as bacteria and moulds. They can live in a dormant state for an extended time unless disturbed. These microbes are a health problem for us when they’re able to grow and multiply as a result of a carpet becoming flooded with water. It can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mould unless it is properly mitigated. Additionally, when pet urine, feces, or vomit are on a carpet, bacteria can multiply and pose a serious health risk unless they are properly removed from the carpet and underpad.
So, The Benchmark Standard of Thorough Cleaning™ of your carpets and upholstery is of some value in protecting you for a short term from COVID-19 and other viruses, but cleaning best protects you from other microbes, such as bacteria, mould, and allergens.