Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfecting Premises (Non-Healthcare Settings) Exposed to Infectious Diseases

First Released on 13 September 2024

This document by the National Environment Agency (NEA) provides general guidance to assist owners or operators of non-healthcare premises to carry out environmental cleaning and disinfection to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases. Remember to always follow specific-to-disease guidelines provided by NEA, as recommendations may vary depending on the specific infectious diseases.

NEA strongly encourages all stakeholders and premises owners to take precautionary measures to implement a structured cleaning and disinfection regime which can be carried out by in-house cleaners to minimise the risk of transmission of infectious diseases.

Section A: Important Information

Infectious diseases can be transmitted via particles containing bacteria or viruses expelled from an infected person, or via direct contact with infected persons or their secretions and bodily discharge, or via indirect contact with objects contaminated by infectious agents.

In general, cleaning and disinfection operations should include, but are not limited to, the areas below:

• High-touch surfaces such as door handles, escalator railings, lift buttons
• Toilets and shower facilities, including diaper changing areas in family rooms
• Family and children-centric facilities e.g. playgrounds
• Food preparation / service areas e.g. kitchens, table-tops

Immediate action is required for cleaning and disinfection in cases of bodily fluid spills or discharge incidents, such as vomiting. These situations demand a more rigorous cleaning and disinfection protocol to ensure complete removal of bodily fluids, discharges, and potential pathogens. Caution must be exercised to prevent and control the spread of potential diseases through the contaminated environment, especially during disease outbreaks.

Section B: Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs)

The following list the minimum required PPE that should be available when cleaning and disinfection of the affected premises is carried out:

• Disposable gloves
• Face mask* (Surgical Mask/ N95 or equivalent)
• Eye protection (goggles or face shield)
• Disposable aprons, gown or coveralls
• Disposable shoe covers

* Mask requirements differ between different diseases. NEA will issue more specific guidelines on the type of masks needed in the event of an outbreak of an infectious disease. N95 masks and goggles may be required in scenarios where there is a risk of aerosolisation of the infectious agents. 

Section C: Disinfectants

The disinfectant used should be selected based on the likely pathogen present. Disinfectants should be prepared and applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. Users should ensure that appropriate contact time is given before removing any disinfected materials. Users should also be equipped with the appropriate tools and where necessary, PPE as prescribed in the Safety Data Sheet of the disinfectants used, before conducting any cleaning and/or disinfection.

The following are common disinfectants that may be used in routine cleaning and disinfection procedures: 

• Hypochlorites – They are the most widely-used disinfectant and are readily available as household bleach (5.25-6.15% sodium hypochlorite). Hypochlorites have been shown to possess bactericidal, virucidal, fungicidal, tuberculoicidal and sporicidal properties.
• Chlorine-based products – Alternative chlorine-based products release chlorine dioxide, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, or chloramine-T, based on their mode of action. Refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for details on disinfection properties and use.
• Hydrogen peroxide – This disinfectant also possesses bactericidal, virucidal, sporicidal, and fungicidal properties.
• Alcohol-based disinfectants – Alcohol-based disinfectants are effective against bacteria and enveloped viruses, but they have limited fungicidal, tuberculoicidal and sporicidal properties.
• Quaternary ammonium compounds (QUATs) –QUATs are effective against bacteria and enveloped viruses, but they have limited fungicidal, tuberculoicidal and sporicidal properties.

Section D: Preparations 

Prepare these items before you start to clean the premises:

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Prepare the disinfectant for surface disinfection according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Trash Bags
• Disposable cloths or rags
• Pail
• Mop

It is important to ensure adequate ventilation in the work area(s) where cleaning and disinfection are carried out.

Clean and disinfect in the following order: general waste containment, hard surfaces, dishes, upholstered furnishings, floor/carpet, before waste disposal to minimise cross contamination.

Section E: Surface Disinfection & Cleaning

• Use an appropriate disinfectant (e.g., diluted bleach solution, alcohol-based products with at least 70% alcohol)
• Ensure the disinfectant remains on surfaces for the recommended contact time
• Pay special attention to high-touch surfaces such as:
  • Doorknobs and handles
  • Light switches
  • Countertops
  • Toilets and sinks
  • Electronic devices
• Soak cloths with prepared disinfectant and wipe all frequently touched areas (e.g. tables and chairs (non-cloth based), lift buttons, handrails, doorknobs, arm rests, tables, keyboards, switches, etc.). Observe recommended contact time according to manufacturer’s instruction.
• If using disinfectant from a spray bottle, spray disinfectant onto a cloth instead of spraying directly onto the surface, to avoid creating splashes which can further spread the pathogens.
• A steady wiping motion (from clean to dirty areas) should be used when cleaning either floors or horizontal surfaces to prevent the creation of aerosols or splashing. To prevent any cross-contamination, rinse and soak the cloths with the prepared cleaning solution before moving on to clean the next surface or use another cloth.
• After the appropriate contact time, the surface may be wiped again with a clean wet cloth, allow to air dry after wiping.

Section F: Cleaning of Floors 

• Avoid sweeping or dusting to minimise the agitation of infectious particles.
• Fill a bucket with an attached wringer with disinfectant solution. Mops should not be hand-wrung.
• Dip the mop head into bucket with disinfectant solution, wring dry and mop the floor from one end of the premises to another. Avoid going from an area that has not been cleaned to an area that has been cleaned, to avoid dirtying the cleaned area.
• A steady sweeping/ wiping motion is recommended to prevent splashing.
• Allow to air dry. 

  Vacuuming of floors

• For general cleaning, use a vacuum cleaner equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Using a vacuum cleaner is not recommended as part of general cleaning unless it is equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

  Cleaning of Carpeted Floors

• Carpets, rugs, and mats should be wet-vacuumed. They should be steamed cleaned if soiled by bodily fluids instead of hanging up and swatting them. 

Section G: Cleaning of Bathroom / Toilet

• Clean from high to low (e.g. wall to floor), and from clean to dirty areas (e.g. shower to toilet bowl).
• Prepare bleach for disinfecting of toilet surfaces, sink U-trap, floor trap, urinal, and toilet bowl (dilute to 5000ppm or 0.5% sodium hypochlorite; bleach solutions with 5.25-6.00% sodium hypochlorite can be diluted with 1 part bleach in 9 parts water).

• Sink U-trap and floor trap shall be disinfected to reduce the risk of aerosolisation  from wastewater before cleaning starts.
• For disinfection of sink U-trap, pour a cup (approximately 250mL) of 0.5% bleach   solution into the sink.
• For disinfection of floor trap, pour 2 cups (approximately 500mL) of 0.5% bleach solution into the floor trap.
• The surfaces and interior of the toilet bowl can be disinfected by pouring (5000ppm or 0.5% sodium hypochlorite; bleach solutions) into the toilet bowl, leaving it for 10 minutes and follow by flushing.
• Disinfect toilet handles, seats, exterior and surfaces of the toilet bowl with a cloth or sponge soaked in (5000ppm or 0.5% sodium hypochlorite; bleach solutions). Ensure adequate contact with disinfectant. Wipe down the surface of the toilet bowl in the order from cleanest to dirtiest:

• Water tank and flushing knob,
• Top cover,
• Seat ring, and
• Lower toilet seat.
• Allow contact time of 10 minutes before cleaning with detergent and water. 

• Soak cloths with prepared bleach disinfectant and wipe all frequently touched areas (e.g. Sinks, taps, soap dispensers, toilet roll dispensers, doors, handles, flush buttons , etc).
• If using disinfectant from a spray bottle, spray disinfectant onto a cloth instead of spraying directly onto the surface, to avoid creating splashes which can further spread the virus.

 High pressure jetting of toilet should not be performed to prevent agitation of infectious particulate.   

• Observe recommended contact time according to manufacturer’s instruction.
• A steady wiping motion (from clean to dirty areas) should be used when cleaning either floors or horizontal surfaces to prevent the creation of aerosols or splashing.
• After the appropriate contact time, the surface may be wiped again with a clean wet cloth, allow to air dry after wiping.  

Section H: Post-cleaning Disinfection & Waste Disposal, and Removal of PPEs

Post-Cleaning

Documentation

• Keep records of cleaning and disinfection activities
• Note any areas that could not be adequately cleaned or disinfected