Damp Wiping Procedure and the Janitorial Equipment Needed

Recommended Supplies and Janitorial Equipment:

 EPA Registered Cleaner/Disinfectant
 All-Purpose Detergent Cleaner
 Trigger Sprayer (Labeled), Pump-Up Sprayer, Pressurized Aerosol, Foam, etc.
 Wiping Material (Rags, Paper Towel, Sponge, etc.)

Recommended Method:

1. As in all cleaning procedures, the first step is to gather the recommended janitorial equipment together and bring to the area to be cleaned.
2. Start damp cleaning all horizontal surfaces in the room at the entrance doorway.
3. Work your way around the room in a clockwise or counter-clockwise pattern.
4. Spray the item to be damp wiped or spray the rag, paper towel, sponge, etc. with freshly diluted or ready-to-use solution.
5. Wipe the surface, paying particular attention to obvious soil spots.  Don’t overlook the edges of tables, chairs, shelves, etc.
6. Wipe all horizontal and vertical surfaces on an as-needed basis.

While this procedure may seem very basic, the damp wiping procedure is crucial to the daily control of soil and micro-organisms.

If you are damp wiping in a health care facility, it is recommended that you use the cleaner/disinfectant.  By pre-mixing and placing in a properly-labeled spray bottle, you are ensured that the solution is clean and fresh each time you spray.  If you are using a rag or sponge for wiping, you should also have a bucket of properly-mixed cleaner/disinfectant and rinse and wring your wiping material frequently as you work around the room.

If you are damp wiping in other facilities, an all-purpose cleaner is acceptable if you are not trying to control micro-organisms.  As above, even if you are not trying to disinfect, a pail of properly-mixed all-purpose cleaner will ensure that the wiping material is clean as you go along.  When the solution becomes dirty, the cleaner is no longer effective and it is time to prepare another pail.

An alternate method for either health care facilities or other facilities is the “Pail and Wipe” method, eliminating the use of spray bottles and/or aerosols pump bottles, etc.  As previously mentions, the pail should contain properly-mixed solution of either cleaner/disinfectant or all-purpose cleaner.  Again, be sure to change the solution when it becomes visibly dirty.

The amount of time you spend damp wiping depends on the amount of soil and the frequency of cleaning the area.  In health care facilities, it is recommended that all patient areas be damp-wiped daily.  Less frequency is required in non-patient areas and in facilities other than health care.

Keep in mind that the more often you damp wipe, the easier it is each time.