What is a disinfectant fogger?
A disinfectant fogger is a device for spraying a fine mist, or ‘fog’ of particles throughout an area to disinfect it. Most foggers come in either a handheld or backpack style of device. Foggers are usually battery operated and include a spraying nozzle and a tank containing disinfectant.
No wiping or drying is required after using a fogger, although allowing some time to ventilate the area and let any dampness evaporate is recommended.
How do foggers work?
A fogger propels a fine fog of very small disinfectant particles into the air, distributing them evenly across the treated area. Because the particles are so small, they float in the air before settling on surfaces. This means that they can penetrate every corner of the area, and will settle on all surfaces, including walls and ceilings. The disinfectant fog also kills germs, bacteria and viruses which are airborne at the time of spraying, eliminating these nasties before they ever touch a surface.
There are various methods that foggers may use to ensure even and complete dispersal of disinfectant mist. These include thermal, ULV (ultra-low volume) and electrostatic. XO2 uses proven and patented electrostatic technology in their Professional Cordless Sprayers. This technology electrostatically charges the disinfectant particles, allowing them to cling to and wrap around surfaces. (Yes, we love clingers here!) These charged particles will adhere to curved or vertical surfaces, ceilings, and even the undersides of furniture.
How to use a disinfectant fogger
1. First make sure the area is tidy and there is no visible dirt, dust, or grime on surfaces.
2. Wear personal protection equipment as required including gloves, respirator/face mask, goggles and coveralls.
3. Ensure you have loaded the correct disinfectant into the fogger and that it is charged.
4. Spray the area, ensuring you aim the fog in all directions, including towards walls and ceilings.
5. There is no need to wipe down surfaces afterwards, so you are done. Easy peasy!
What are the benefits of a fogger?
1. It’s powerful
A fogger is one of the most powerful disinfection application methods because it ensures even coverage on all surfaces, as well as disinfecting the air itself.
2. It’s efficient
Using a fogger is much faster than manually spraying and wiping surfaces. As a single-step process that is not physically taxing for the operator, fogging is often the easiest and most efficient option.
3. It’s effective in large areas
Due to the efficiency of foggers, even large areas can be disinfected quickly and thoroughly. Backpack disinfectant foggers are especially helpful in larger areas.
4. It’s lightweight
Most disinfectant foggers are lightweight and can be easily carried and used by one person.
5. It provides extensive coverage
A fogger coats and covers all surfaces in a room, including walls, ceilings, undersides of furniture, touchpoints like door handles or light switches, and hard to reach corners.
Where and when to use a disinfectant fogger
Foggers cut down on labour time and allow multiple surfaces to be quickly disinfected by one operator. As such they are an excellent choice in many settings. Below are some scenarios where a fogger may be especially useful, however, a disinfectant fogger is a versatile tool which can be applied almost anywhere.
When contaminants in the air need to be eliminated
Since fog floats in the air before settling it kills germs, bacteria and viruses that are still airborne.
High-risk areas
Due to the thorough coverage provided by a fogger as well as the ability to kill airborne contaminants fogging is an effective and safe choice for high-risk settings such as hospitals, aged care or medical centres.
Large areas
Fogging allows large and open areas, or areas with multiple surfaces requiring disinfection, to be quickly sanitised by a single operator.
Areas that are heavily used and need frequent disinfecting
Due to the labour-saving and time-saving nature of fogging, it is often the best choice for anywhere that needs to be disinfected very frequently.
When manual disinfection is physically difficult
Sometimes illnesses and disabilities make manual spraying and wiping impractical. A fogger is much easier to use, requiring minimal physical exertion.
Enclosed spaces
Fogging penetrates hard-to-reach corners and crevices, and clings to all surfaces, making it a practical option for disinfecting vehicles and other enclosed spaces.
(Also, is it just me, or does fogging kind of sound like fun? You can pretend you’re a graffiti artist. Or that you’re waving a big flamethrower around. No? Just me then I guess...)
Fogging for COVID-19 and Influenza
COVID-19 and Influenza are both airborne viruses, spread by droplets travelling through the air. These droplets can settle on surfaces, leading to infection spreading when people touch the contaminated surface. Because fogging ensures a complete and even spread of disinfectant throughout a room and across all surfaces, it is a very good choice for disinfecting areas known to have been exposed to a virus.
To ensure that COVID-19 and Influenza are targeted a disinfectant that kills these specific viruses should be used. XO2’s hospital-grade disinfectant Disso can be used with our Professional Sprayer and is proven to kill both Coronaviruses and Influenza.
Micron size
The tiny particles foggers spray are measured in microns. A micron is one millionth of a metre. Some foggers have a range of micron sizes you can select. A larger size will spray larger droplets, resulting in more of the disinfectant being released at once. Larger droplets are also heavier, meaning they won’t float in the air for as long.
XO2’s Cordless Sprayer can spray at 40, 80, or 110 microns. Choose a smaller size when you want the mist to float in the air more, and easily cling to vertical or curved surfaces, for example in a front office. A larger size is best for quickly sanitising large or multiple surfaces, such as desks in a classroom.
Choosing the right disinfectant for fogging
Any high-quality disinfectant can be used in a fogger. Look for disinfectants that are hospital-grade, TGA listed, and fragrance-free. The best choices will also have a fast kill rate on a wide range of viruses and bacteria. Our favourite hospital grade disinfectant for routine and deep cleaning is Disso, which is TGA listed, microbiologically tested, and proven to kill numerous bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19.
Fog It – Another fogging option
In addition to XO2’s Professional Cordless Sprayer, we also offer Fog It, a single-use sanitising bomb in a can. Fog It is loaded with enough disinfectant for as much as 120m³ surface sanitisation.
It is easy; simply ensure the area is completely closed, then activate the can and leave. A super fine dry fog will be released, penetrating corners and disinfecting every surface in the room. Best of all, it’s cost-effective and no effort is needed.
Are foggers dangerous to humans or environmentally harmful?
No, fogging is not dangerous but keep in mind not all disinfectants are suitable for fogging. Safety instructions given for a specific disinfectant (like wearing gloves or a mask) should be followed for any disinfection method, including fogging. But so long as you are using a high-quality hospital-grade disinfectant, like those produced here at XO2, there is no danger to the person spraying.
Fogging is not environmentally dangerous either. XO2’s fogger is an electrostatic fogger, which disseminates nothing more than disinfectant particles charged with static electricity. Neither of these can damage the environment. Our Fog It sanitising bomb is also a safe and responsible option, made without any ozone-depleting chemicals.
The ease and versatility of disinfectant foggers make them an excellent choice to keep your workplace, facility or home safe and germ free. Look to XO2 for top quality fogging equipment and a range of powerful disinfectants for fogging use.
David Blamire, CEO at XO2
David is one of Australia's leading cleaning industry innovators. He's spent his entire working life solving cleaning challenges others thought were impossible. He's best known for his product creation and development skills along with a deep knowledge of business operations and all things ERP. In his spare time, David's a keen fisherman and adventurer. And he doesn't mind if you call him Davo.
Get in touch with David at www.xo2.com.au. He works from XO2's national headquarters and manufacturing centre in Queensland, Australia.
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