Maintenance guide for disinfectant mats

Knowledge Center Hygiene

Hygiene measures in greenhouses are of utmost importance nowadays. You want to prevent that viruses and bacteria enter the greenhouse via for example the shoes of visitors. The disinfectant mat helps you control these micro-bacteria, but for an optimal performance maintenance of the disinfectant mat is key. Underneath you will find a guide that helps you perform maintenance on the disinfectant mat.

Clean the disinfectant mat on a regular basis

The disinfectant works best when direct contact is made between the mat and the shoe. This is one of the reasons the disinfectant mat should be cleaned regularly. When there is dirt on the mat for example, the disinfectant can not disinfect the shoe as it should. Next to that organic materials such as leaves break down the disinfectant in the mat.

Actions you can take

Make sure your shoes are clean
Is there a brush available? If so, brush your shoes (for example via a hygiene station)
Clean the disinfectant mat at least once a week by rinsing it with water

Tip: Do you have a disinfectant mat that is filled automatically? For example by a Flexxopump? Circulate clean water through the mat once a week for approximately 30 minutes (first remove the hose from the container containing the disinfectant).

Top up the disinfectant mat on a regular basis

The disinfectant mat needs to be topped up with disinfectant on a regular basis. An agent that’s widely used in horticulture is Menno Florades. You can top up the mat manually. Use pH indicator paper to check the pH level of the agent and to see if the solution is still active. This is the case at a pH level below 4.5. Make sure to check this multiple times a week, especially if the disinfectant mat is used intensively.

Tip: You can top up the disinfectant mat automatically with a Flexxopump.

Mind the location of the disinfectant mat

In order to reduce wear and tear of the disinfectant mat, it’s important to place the mat at the best location. If used correctly and maintained regularly, your mat can be used for years. When mats are used for intense internal transport, you should avoid locations where the transport steers and breaks. Place the disinfectant mat at locations where the transport drives in a straight line. Next to that it’s important to check the mat for wear and tears every month. A dry mat wears much faster than a wet one.