Electrostatic spraying is a cutting-edge method of applying antimicrobial shields to surfaces. It’s understandable for there to be confusion about electrostatic spraying as an application process for disinfection. Part of this comes from how the equipment looks. With similar tanks and sprayers, the equipment bears a passing resemblance to the equipment used to disperse pesticides for lawn maintenance and pest removal. Part of the confusion also comes from the name “electrostatic” — what is electrostatic spraying, and why is it so effective?

People are increasingly weary of potential buzzwords being thrown around, especially when it comes to their health and well-being in the current climate. And a term like “electrostatic spraying” can appear to be just another frivolous description in a litany of similar sounding, scientific jargon. But electrostatic spraying has substance, and is an especially effective method of dispersing disinfectant solutions.

What is Electrostatic Spraying?

At the most basic level, electrostatic spraying is the dispersal of charged particles to coat a surface. Using a specialized solution, combined with air and an electrode within the sprayer, the solution is able to be positively charged as the mist is dispersed from the sprayer. Additionally, the solution itself contains positively charged particles.

As these particles are misted, they are attracted to negatively charged particles on surfaces and objects, clinging to and forming a molecularly bonded barrier against the surface. This also means surfaces already coated with the mist will repel any additional spray, making electrostatic spraying an extremely efficient dispersal method.

What are the Benefits of Electrostatic Spraying?

Let’s consider the standard method for applying disinfectants. Usually, disinfectants are applied by wet dusting using less sophisticated spray bottles and equipment. This method is extremely labor intensive, requiring crews to physically interact with each surface they’re trying to treat, while ultimately being less precise than electrostatic spraying. This method is also more costly, as it requires a larger crew to complete a thorough disinfection, and which needs to be repeated on a regular daily, or even hourly, basis to ensure that the chemical cleaners are continuously applied to be able to do their job.

Coating surfaces using electrostatic spraying allows the disinfectant solution to be applied evenly and thoroughly throughout a space — including cracks, corners, and hard to reach areas. This is because the positively charged spray wraps and evenly coats the surfaces it is sprayed against, being attracted to the naturally negative charges of the particles on those surfaces. The times it takes to apply solutions such as MicrobeCareTM through electrostatic spraying is also dramatically reduced versus other methods, allowing for increased cost effectiveness through reduced labor and material costs.

Compare this to the traditional method of dispersing other disinfectants, which must remain liquid to work properly. When applied, they are unable to fully coat surfaces as easily, pooling and creating pockets where pathogens and microbes are allowed to remain. Using liquid applications tend to need to over-spray in an effort to combat this less precise mode of application. Then the disinfectants need to sit for anywhere from 5-to-15 minutes to allow them enough time to effectively kill the bacterial and fungal spores they are working against, and are only effective so long as they are wet, adding time on top of the time already taken to apply the disinfectants in the first place. Furthermore, as soon as the substances dry, the surfaces once again become vulnerable to open-air microbes, requiring continuous, regular visits to ensure airborne pathogens can be stopped from settling on surfaces.

Utilizing electrostatic spraying also ensures that the barrier coating provided by antimicrobial barriers will last. Due to the chemical bond, the solution stays present and activated for up to 6 months, allowing for much longer periods of time between additional applications. Because of the unique make-up of MicrobeCareTM, treated surfaces are dry to the touch with no leaching onto clothes, fabrics, or equipment, and treated surfaces can be interacted with in as little as 15 minutes after application, without worrying that those interacting with the surfaces will be exposed to the harsh side effects of chemical cleaners, such as inhalation issues or skin irritation.

Conclusion

Overall, utilizing electrostatic spraying to disperse an antimicrobial agent provides a more thorough disinfection than traditional methods, in a way that is also faster and more efficient. Using electrostatic spraying in conjunction with thesesubstances ensures the highest level of disinfection of the surfaces within a facility, and placing the safety and well-being of those within the facility at a higher level of importance.

Reduce the frequency and increase the effectiveness of disinfection for your needs, while safe-guarding the health of clients and employees. Reach out to Clean Technologies today to see how our service could help protect your areas, surfaces, and equipment from germs, mold, mildew, and bacteria. Visit our website, or contact Clean Technologies today!