---
title: "Mind shift: Floors are high-touch surfaces causing cross-contamination"
description: Discover the impact of high-touch surfaces like floors on cross-contamination in this insightful article from System4 IPS Blog. Explore practical solutions to mitigate risks and maintain a healthier environment.
image: https://blog.system4ips.com/hubfs/February%20blog%20floors%20high%20touch%20surface.png
---

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# Mind shift: Floors are high-touch surfaces causing cross-contamination

![Monique Burgess](https://blog.system4ips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Monique%20Burgess%20-%20blog%20author%20-%20avatar%20(hi-res).png?width=45&name=Monique%20Burgess%20-%20blog%20author%20-%20avatar%20(hi-res).png) 

[Monique Burgess](https://blog.system4ips.com/author/monique-burgess)

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![February blog floors high touch surface](https://blog.system4ips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/February%20blog%20floors%20high%20touch%20surface.png?width=381&name=February%20blog%20floors%20high%20touch%20surface.png)

Floors are a conduit. When did you place something on the floor, then subsequently move it to a countertop or desk? Due to raised awareness over the past year, our behaviors have changed. Every industry has begun 

cleaning for health, not just appearance. Just because it smells or looks clean, doesn't mean it's actually clean. High-touch objects, like door handles, stair railings, and elevator buttons are being wiped down and disinfected multiple times per day. But what about floors? Are they being overlooked?

### Yes, floors are high touch

Studies and evidence-based reports reveal floors as the largest reservoir for contaminants. Indoor environments are a challenge when it comes to reducing germs. Many respiratory diseases are transmitted when individuals cough, sneeze and even speak, releasing aerosolized contaminated droplets. These droplets are eventually landing on surfaces via the pull of gravity. These surfaces (reservoirs) serve as a means of transmission. All the discussion on high-touch surfaces focus mainly on door handles, faucets, keyboards, elevator buttons, and light switches.

 

What about flooring? Floors are the largest reservoir for these contaminated droplets. As you'd guess, these droplets do not remain only on the floors. They are distributed throughout facilities on shoes, socks, bottoms of purses, bags, backpacks and pets. With this in mind, flooring is a high-touch surface and needs to be included in sanitizing and disinfection routines.

 

The American Journal of Infection Control shared a [report](https://healthcaredesignmagazine.com/trends/research-theory/research-matters-flooring-chain-infection/#slide-1) that evaluated how floors play a role in 

[![Research-Matters-Flooring-healthcaredesignmagazine](https://blog.system4ips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Research-Matters-Flooring-healthcaredesignmagazine.jpg?width=420&name=Research-Matters-Flooring-healthcaredesignmagazine.jpg)](https://www.system4ips.com/professional-cleaning-and-janitorial-services#CommercialCleaning)

the chain of disease transmission. Evidence shows 41% of high-touch items (cell phone chargers, bed linens, towels, etc) are in contact with floor surfaces.

 

The study's author, Abhishek Deshpande, MD, PhD [told Buildings.com](https://www.buildings.com/articles/28485/hospital-infections-are-coming-your-floor), "Limited attention has been paid to disinfection of floors because they are not frequently touched. The results of our study suggest that floors in hospital rooms could be an under-appreciated source for dissemination of pathogens and are an important area for additional research."

### Using the wrong cleaning product could damage your flooring

First, determine what type of floor is being cleansed. Using a good-quality product with neutral pH may be enough. But, introducing a cleaning solvent with a high pH, could permanently damage flooring materials and finishes.

 

[Cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting](https://www.clorox.com/resources/coronavirus/whats-the-difference-between-cleaning-sanitizing-and-disinfecting/) are not the same processes. Once you assess what your workplace requires, choosing a product for your specific type of floor is next. [Disinfectants](https://www.cmmonline.com/articles/disinfection-done-right) are designed for pre-cleaned, hard, nonporous surfaces like terrazzo, vinyl, and vinyl composition tile (VCT).

![February blog floors high touch surface (3)](https://blog.system4ips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/February%20blog%20floors%20high%20touch%20surface%20(3).png?width=300&name=February%20blog%20floors%20high%20touch%20surface%20(3).png) It's critical to first clean to remove dirt, dust and debris, which act as barriers, before applying a disinfectant. Sanitizers are made for porous and semi-porous surfaces like carpet, wood and other textiles. Reading the cleaning directions on the manufacturer's label is necessary to ensure proper procedures are followed to ensure efficacy and [protect your investment in one of the most visible elements, your flooring](https://www.cmmonline.com/articles/hard-floor-care-pro-tips).

### Dwell time is key

First comes the cleaning, then comes disinfecting. Each step takes time, something that is always running short. To disinfect, start with the right concentration of the product, then follow instructions regarding the proper dwell time stated on 

![February blog floors high touch surface (1)](https://blog.system4ips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/February%20blog%20floors%20high%20touch%20surface%20(1).png?width=300&name=February%20blog%20floors%20high%20touch%20surface%20(1).png)the label. Dwell time is the *amount of time the surfaces* *must remain wet* with the product for it to be effective. Recommended dwell times are outlined on the product's label. However, dwell times are affected by the method of delivery - fogging, wiping, and spraying, etc.

### Following the proper guidelines comes at a cost

Cleaning budgets in 2020, increased for companies and organizations![February blog floors high touch surface (2)](https://blog.system4ips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/February%20blog%20floors%20high%20touch%20surface%20(2).png?width=300&name=February%20blog%20floors%20high%20touch%20surface%20(2).png) across many different industries. Rising costs can be a challenge while trying to balance the need to [follow proper guidelines](https://www.cmmonline.com/articles/how-clean-floors-contribute-to-healthy-indoor-environments?utm_source=omeda&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cmm_daily&utm_content=CM+e-News+Daily_20210211&omid=1000281525). The majority of every dollar spent is attributed to cost of custodial labor, rather than cost of actual cleaning products. Budgetary restrictions are part of every business. Weighing the costs versus the health and liability consequences is constant concern.

### The bottom line 

We all know the five-second rule. Food lands on our kitchen floor at home, we ask: *Is it safe to eat?* But when you're in the workplace, if something like your backpack or purse is on the floor, you may ask: *Do I need to wash my hands after picking this up?*

 

By adding flooring to our list of high-touch surfaces, we better understand the chain of infection and keep our environments safer and healthier. Take a proactive approach. Include flooring in heightened cleaning protocols and infection control policies.

 ![February blog floors high touch surface (4)](https://blog.system4ips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/February%20blog%20floors%20high%20touch%20surface%20(4).png?width=300&name=February%20blog%20floors%20high%20touch%20surface%20(4).png)

How we view cleaning has been altered due to COVID-19. Cleaning for appearance only is long gone. Visibly seeing cleaners in action will be a long lasting trend. Seeing [professional cleaners](https://www.system4ips.com/services/commercial-floor-cleaning-services) tending to highly visible floor surfaces will assure employees and customers of a healthy indoor environment.

 

If you have experienced a COVID-19 singular case or outbreak amongst your staff or at your facility, call [System4 IPS](https://www.system4ips.com) and schedule your [disinfection service](https://www.system4ips.com/disinfection-and-antimicrobial-coatings) today. Our team listens to your needs, requirements, and timing. See our many [satisfied customer testimonials](https://www.system4ips.com/#Testimonials) and public [Google ratings](https://www.google.com/search?q=system+4+ips+north+kingstown+ri&oq=system+4+ips+north+kingstown+ri&aqs=chrome..69i57.77390j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8).

 

![Monique Burgess](https://blog.system4ips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Monique%20Burgess%20-%20blog%20author%20-%20avatar%20(hi-res).png?width=150&name=Monique%20Burgess%20-%20blog%20author%20-%20avatar%20(hi-res).png)

#### Monique Burgess

[Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniqueburgess/)

Monique is a seasoned public speaker, digital marketer, serial entrepreneur and global sailor. Her marketing strategies have contributed to multiple successful startup acquisitions, exponential revenue at publicly held high tech companies, and innovative sales programs at national organizations and franchises. She, her husband and two children are avid adventurers. They have sailed more than 35,000 nautical miles over two multi-year ocean voyages, spearfishing in remote atolls of the South Pacific, hiking volcanic calderas and living 1000's of miles away from modern civilization for months at a time.

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### [Spots, Stains and Spills - 9 Tips](https://blog.system4ips.com/spots-stains-and-spills-9-tips)

**9 Tips from Professionals for Removing Spots, Stains & Spills**

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### [When is it Time to Strip and Wax Floors or Steam Clean Carpets?](https://blog.system4ips.com/when-is-it-time-to-strip-and-wax-floors-or-steam-clean-carpets)

Regular mopping and vacuuming should be enough to keep floors and carpets in proper condition, right? Not exactly. Watch this short video for professional tips on...

![Monique Burgess](https://blog.system4ips.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Monique%20Burgess%20-%20blog%20author%20-%20avatar%20(hi-res).png?width=45&name=Monique%20Burgess%20-%20blog%20author%20-%20avatar%20(hi-res).png) 

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[Read More](https://blog.system4ips.com/when-is-it-time-to-strip-and-wax-floors-or-steam-clean-carpets)

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