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Disinfectant mats | How to effectively use and maintain them?

disinfectant mats
Written by Jasper Verhoeven | Last update: 01-06-2020

A disinfecting mat, also know as a sanitation mat, is a preventive hygiene solution for areas in which there is a movement of people and traffic in the horticultural industry. It helps prevent the entry of micro-organisms and the consequences of such invasions. Therefore, it is important to use the mats in the right way. On top of that, installing the disinfectant mats alone will not suffice; they have to be well maintained for optimal performance. Our specialist explains how to use and mantain disinfecting mats.


How to use a disinfecting mat?

Position the disinfection mat in the walking route, without being able to walk around it. In this way, you always assure people are disinfecting their shoes and you prevent the entry of micro-organisms within your greenhouse. Therefore, the size of the sanitizing mat is very important. When there are multiple walking routes, it is important that every door is equipped with a disinfectant mat. By purchasing a disinfection mat it is important to take other factors also in account. 

Beside the use of a disinfection mat for people, it is also important to use mats for transport. Harvest trolleys, forklifts, electric tuggers are constantly moving through the entire greenhouse. Therefore, it is important to frequently sanitize the wheels of this greenhouse transport.

What should be in a disinfecting mat?

One of the disinfectants which is commonly used in combination with disinfectants mats in horticulture is Menno Florades. This disinfectant is recognised as a crop protection agent for all type of pathogens. On top of that, it is harmless to other materials. Please note: this product is only allowed to use in some countries. Get in contact with our specialist to see if you are allowed to use the product.


Maintenance of disinfecting mats

After using the mats a period of time, it is important to maintain the mats well and frequently. As a result, you are guaranteed of optimum operation of the mat and prevent the entry of micro-organisms.

  • Tip 1: Cleaning the disinfecting mat

    Good results in terms of hygiene require that your disinfectant mats are cleaned on a regular basis. A clean disinfectant mat optimises the contact that is made between the sole of the shoe/boot and the fluid disinfectant, which is not the case when the mat is dirty. Take a leaf that has fallen on the mat, for example: if you stand on it, that part of the sole will not be disinfected. Moreover, the disinfectant breaks down when it exposed to organic material.

    So how should you keep your mat clean? First of all, make sure that your shoes are as clean as possible before stepping on the mat. In some cases, a brush can be required to clean the shoes first. In addition, the disinfectant mat has to be cleaned on a regular basis. How often this is done very much depends on the extent to which it contaminates. We recommend cleaning your mats at least once a week, and even more frequently if required. The mat can be rinsed with water and subsequently treated with a squeegee. 

    Ideally, you will have a mat that is filled automatically. In that case, allow the pump to circulate clean water through the mat once a week for approximately 30 minutes (first remove the hose from the container containing Menno Florades). After approximately 10 minutes, use a squeegee to remove the dirt from the mat. 


Supplies to clean the disinfecting mat

3 tips for maintenance of disinfectant mats
Dirt - wash - clean

Tip 2: Top up in time

Besides washing the disinfectant mat, it also has to be topped up with disinfectant on a regular basis. This can be done manually or with the aid of an automatic top-up system (dosing pump or Venturi pump). One of the disinfectants commonly used in horticulture is Menno Florades. This disinfectant is recognised as a crop protection agent for all types of plant pathogens. It is harmless for other materials with which it comes into contact. You can use pH indicator paper to ascertain the pH level of the agent or to see whether the solution is still active (pH<4.5). This should be done regularly, and at least once every two days for mats that are used intensively. 

Tip: put on the subtitles.


Tip 3: Reduce wear and tear

You obviously want your disinfectant mats to perform optimally for as long as possible. If used correctly and maintained regularly, your mat can be used for years. However, mats that are used in locations of intense internal transport suffer significantly more, which is why you should avoid steering and breaking actions on them. You can do so by placing them in locations in which they are driven over in a straight line. This reduces wear and tear, and therefore their lifespan. Also check your disinfectant mats for wear and tear every month. Did you know that a dry mat wears much faster than a wet one?

More information

If you have questions about shoe disinfactant mats or if you require tailor-made advice, please contact our disinfection expert or use the form below to submit your question. We'll respond within 24 hours on working days.



 




About Jasper Verhoeven
Jasper Verhoeven, product specialist disinfection, is the first point of contact for growers when it comes to hygiene. "Customised advice has become increasingly more important, due to the risen demand for hygiene measures in horticulture and the associated challenges. Every time, I see it as a challenge to help a grower to create the ultimate situation at his enterprise."







 

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