Religious establishments should be kept clean for both practical and symbolic reasons. The latter being that a place of worship and faith shouldn’t be dirty, as messy-ness and contamination are counterculture to religion.
On the practical side, religious institutions are a place of communal gathering and social interaction, usually in close proximity. Not only will tens or hundreds (or sometimes thousands) of people gather and cause their local institution to have to clean up multiple times a week, but each individual tracks in potential contaminants unique to their own life and schedule. Whatever that looks like for your religious institution, here are 5 things to keep in mind as far as proper cleaning procedures go in your religious institution:
Religious Institution Cleaning: CDC Guidance
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the CDC, offers a very useful guidance for disinfecting public spaces. The guidance was released just days ago in an effort to educate the public on the best and most effective cleaning procedures for public places that are starting to reopen and return to normal.
Tips start with the obvious: develop, implement, maintain, and frequently revise your cleaning plan. Another useful tip is increasing the frequency of routine cleaning of all surfaces with soap and water to reduce exposure of potential viruses. Also, use the new line of EPA-registered disinfectant wipes and solutions. These have been tested and approved as effective in killing 99.9% of COVID-19, amongst other viruses.
Religious Institution Cleaning: Start With High Traffic Areas
When it comes to religious institutions, their high traffic areas are easier to deep clean as religious activities have a certain flow and ritual to them. People will get up and move cyclically for the same or similar reasons, making it easy to visualize or even draw up a heat map. Always start with deep cleaning the high traffic areas, as these are the most important areas to maintain to the highest degree of sanitation when your religious institution reopens.
Religious Institution Cleaning: Pay Attention to “Environmental” Cleanliness
The build-up of “soil” and other contaminants and organic materials throughout the main and peripheral areas of your religious institution’s “environment” is important. Airborne viruses easily attach and travel through the air to other areas, and can be easily inhaled. Dusting and routine general cleaning are critical to mitigating the risk of exposure to viruses in your institution.
Religious Institution Cleaning: Isopropyl for Electronics
Because the usual amount of water or disinfecting solution can damage electronics such as TVs and computers, use isopropyl alcohol for cleaning. Highly concentrated isopropyl alcohol needs very little liquid to quickly disinfect.
Religious Institution Cleaning: Finish Your Wood to Finish Your Cleaning
Religious institutions may feature a lot of wood in their interior. Wood fixtures, furniture and other interior wooden items should have a quality finish applied, as isopropyl alcohol in lower concentrations can be used to quickly and effectively disinfect wooden surfaces as well.
