Interior Design Tricks to Keep Germs at Bay
If the Covid pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the speed and swiftness in which infectious bodies such as germs can travel and contaminate. Of course, germs have been with us for far longer than recent years, but it is only now that we are beginning to appreciate and apply innovative measures to ensure that our office environments are as clean and healthy as humanly possible.
Naturally, we can all do our part in minimising clutter and regularly cleaning, but as the rest of the world has evolved, so have cleaning methods.
Nowadays, interior design and cleaning are in harmony. In other words, the less we have on show, the less we have to clean. But there’s more to it. In identifying the hardest to clean areas that are highly susceptible to bacteria, we can make a few intelligent alterations to decrease the cleaning, and subsequent maintenance, that is required.
Standard supermarket bought cleaning sprays have received a big thumbs down in recent times. Not only can their stringent chemicals dull the appearance of furnishings, but harmful agents such as bleach and ammonia are providing users no health benefits either.
A great hygiene tip is to use biological formulations that stunt the regrowth of bacteria. They penetrate deep into surfaces where traditional products can’t reach, so you get a thorough clean whilst preserving your health and furnishings.
Bathrooms are high on the agenda too, with employers wondering how they can appease their anxious staff during these uncertain times. Intelligent storage design can ensure that whatever lotions, potions, and cleaning products that are used can be neatly tucked away, making cleaning a great deal easier and employees a lot less anxious.
Keeping Your Roller Blinds Germ Free
The structure of certain fabrics and textiles makes them a highly appealing area for unwanted microorganisms. With this in mind, take a moment to consider the materials that are present in your current workspace. Curtains? Blinds? Chances are, while you’ve spent time pondering the future of your workspace, you haven’t given these a second thought. Don’t worry, you’re not alone!
With many new contemporary options on the market (including windows that have blinds built into them), there is a renewed concern about fabrics spreading infection through direct contact. A pathogen fighting layer vastly improves infection control while also providing the fabric with greater longevity and protecting the surface from microbes.
Blinds, in particular, are notoriously difficult to clean, so are prone to developing unsightly stains and odours; a gentle wipe is also highly unlikely to eliminate many of the microorganisms. However, antibacterial technology is readily available and can be highly effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria including E.coli, MRSA, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Listeria.
Hygienic blinds provide effective and efficient protection against certain bacteria, with companies like Copaco having achieved a ‘strong antibacterial activity’ rating. Modern sunscreen blinds can therefore offer dual properties, by providing the perfect shading solution while also keeping bacteria at bay.
The key benefits of antimicrobial properties include a reduction in staining and unpleasant odours caused by bacteria, and increased infection control meaning that direct contact is less of a concern. This supports ease of cleaning and the prolonged life of the product
As designers and manufacturers of blackout and shade, Umbra are experts in eco-friendly design and can provide numerous shading options to suit your requirements. We offer a wide range of maintenance-free fabrics for blinds that will reduce the transmission of infection, protect against SUV’S and fire whilst providing longevity. We work with numerous fabric partners including Copaco to ensure that our customers receive a superior quality.
To take your office hygiene to the next level, contact Umbra today.