Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated the importance of sanitizing wall surfaces in interior spaces. According to the CDC, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces can help prevent the spread of the virus, and it lists shared surfaces as walls, doorknobs, tables, countertops, etc. Cleaning protocols used by public facilities are still evolving, but Wallcoverings Association members are being proactive in testing against new cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting practices and are releasing test information to specifiers and end users as it becomes available. In addition, wallcovering providers are bringing new technologies to market that protect the product from today’s harsher cleaners. The Wallcoverings Association and its member companies are working toward establishing cleaning guidelines that address today’s increased need for disinfecting. To date, tests among the major U.S. wallcovering manufacturers have shown that the appearance of commercial vinyl wallcoverings is not affected by many disinfectants listed on the EPA’s List N of disinfectants.

For information on how specific wallcoverings perform under protocols, please contact the wallcovering provider directly and follow instructions accordingly.

Disinfecting with EPA-Recommended Cleaners

Commercial vinyl wallcoverings can be cleaned with many of EPA’s List N of disinfectants for use against SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. In addition to their ability to be disinfected with EPA List N of disinfectants, Type II commercial vinyl wallcoverings are very durable, providing high tear and tensile strength, mar and abrasion resistance, are highly cleanable and resistant to soiling and tough stains such as mustard, ketchup, ink, and iodine.

Technologies that Enhance Cleanability

Wallcoverings Association member companies are testing wall surface products against more aggressive cleaning and disinfecting protocols in response to COVID-19. Many wallcovering providers are highlighting new technologies that may provide additional product protection and allow for stronger disinfecting cleaners.

The Wallcoverings Association is facilitating the development of science-based cleaning guidelines that demonstrate efficacy against SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. In that effort, the WA is also tracking the work of other organizations such as ASID, the Vinyl Sustainability Council, the Chemical Fabric and Film Association (CFFA), the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (BIFMA), and the EPA. Research and test results are being released from the WA and WA member companies as they become available.