The War on Biofilm in our Homes!

Biofilm. Even sounds nasty.  By definition, biofilms are a group of microorganisms in which cells stick to each other on a surface. They are sticky cells which are frequently embedded within a self-produced matrix of EPS’s or extracellular polymeric substances which also can be referred to as SLIME.  Yes you read it right SLIME.  Biofilms may form on both living and non-living surfaces, like teeth (plaque) in your mouth, that sticky hard to remove soap scum in your shower, rocks at the bottom of a stream, inside pipes and duct work, on boat hulls and even on indwelling medical devices such as catheters and IUDs.  The organisms when together, often change, but can co-exist even in the harshest of environments under the harshest of conditions and can be very difficult to remove. High humidity or moisture environments are growing environments for biofilm.  They become very hard to kill or remove.  Biofilms have been found to be involved in a wide variety of infections within the body, up to 80%.  With the growing rate of nosocomial infections, this becomes serious business. For decades, bleach has been used a last defense against nasty microorganisms. The unassuming bully to bacteria and virus.  But science is now finding that it is often not strong enough to be effective.  And while bleach kills many bacteria, virus and nasty things on contact, an established biofilm matrix can prevent or deter contact long enough to make bleach ineffective at killing what we need it to kill without long sitting times.  And let us be honest, who actually lets bleach or bleach containing cleaning products sit on a surface for more than a few seconds while cleaning.  Unlikely and perhaps unwise given the potentially corrosive nature of bleach.   Given the downsides of bleach (environmental toxin, skin and respiratory irritant, corrosive agent) which acts more like a big bully who isn’t trying to be one-- there is a solution.  Enter dry vapor steam.  With only a 2-4 second exposure time, dry vapor steam at >250 degrees can cut through the protective matrix and kill the organisms within it very effectively with high heat steam….  Dry vapor steam is non-toxic, environmentally friendly leaves no chemical residue and can also be a cost effective way of defeating biofilm.  So, that is the end of this cleaning story.  Dry steam vapor taking on the role of effective microorganism killer, replacing bleach for our own health as well as that of the environment. Contact us at www.asmarterclean.com for dry vapor and other cleaning services.  First 10 contacts to schedule a cleaning service that includes dry vapor steaming of $100 or more will receive one FREE room of carpet cleaning. Let us help you get a jump on Spring House Cleaning!