CONTACTLESS CLEANING Q+A: Examining the tech that takes the guesswork out of sanitation Interview has been edited for clarity and length.
T
he future, as they say, is now, and with each passing day our world is looking a little more like that of The Jetsons. As recently as a decade ago, the prospect of self-cleaning anything was a mere dream, but that is changing as companies like NanoTouch introduce hands-off cleaning technologies that are making workplaces and buildings safer and healthier. Company co-founder Mark Sisson explains this is just the beginning of a bold new frontier in facility cleaning.
8 / FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE / SUMMER 2020
What is a self-cleaning surface?
For the purposes of facilities and hightraffic touchpoints, the term is used to describe a surface that eliminates contaminants autonomously, without any manual labour or chemicals. If you compare a self-cleaning surface to traditional cleaning and disinfection, there are a couple of main differences. Disinfectants are a ‘one-time kill.’ This means the very next touch, sneeze, or toilet flush recontaminates the surface and it PHOTOS BY MICHAEL BURNS PHOTOGRAPHY
