Booking a professional disinfecting service for the first time? Here’s what actually happens, from the first call to the moment you walk back in, so you can plan your day. If you want the basics of what decontamination and disinfecting are, start with our guide: Professional Decontamination & Disinfecting Services in Miami, Explained.
Before the Visit: The First Call
When you call, we’ll ask a few questions so we can plan the job:
- What happened (someone was sick, tenants moved out, water damage or mold work just finished, reopening a business)
- The size of the property and how many AC systems it has
- Whether there’s any active leak, musty smell, or visible mold
- Whether you need a specific green or eco-labeled product (we use one on request)
We answer 24/7; when you call, we’ll tell you honestly when a technician can be there based on that day’s schedule. Hablamos español.
One Thing We’ll Check First: Moisture and Mold
Disinfecting doesn’t fix a leak or remove mold. If there’s moisture or mold, that gets handled first. We start with a free visual inspection with moisture readings and an infrared (thermal) camera, and FL Cleanup is licensed in Florida as a Mold Assessor (MRSA4035) and Mold Remediator (MRSR4158).
What We Don’t Handle
Unattended deaths, trauma scenes, and other blood or biohazard cleanups need a specialized biohazard cleaning company first. We can help with odor or restoration afterward.
How to Get Ready
We’ll go over prep with you when you book. In general, plan for:
- Being out for about 8 hours. Everyone, pets included, stays out during the whole-home air treatment. Line up a place for the day.
- Clear access to counters, bathrooms, door handles, and the AC closet or air handler.
- Telling us about anything special in the home, like fish tanks or other animals that can’t easily leave, so we can plan around them.
- A way to reach you so we can tell you when it’s time to come back.
On the Day: What the Crew Does
1. Walk-Through
The crew walks the property with you, confirms the areas to cover, and checks for anything that needs attention before disinfecting.
2. Cleaning First
Visible dirt and debris come off first, because disinfectants don’t work well on dirty surfaces.
3. Antimicrobial Wipe-Down
The whole property is wiped down with an EPA-registered antimicrobial product, used according to its label, with extra attention on high-touch spots:
- Doorknobs, handles, and light switches
- Countertops and tables
- Bathrooms and fixtures
- Railings, remotes, and other shared items
4. Whole-Home Air Treatment
For the areas a wipe can’t reach, the crew sets up a whole-home air treatment that runs through the space and the AC system. This is the part that takes about 8 hours with everyone out.
Coming Back In
We’ll let you know when the treatment is finished and it’s time to come back. Don’t go back in early. Once you’re home, run the AC as normal.
Who Uses This Service
- Homeowners after someone in the family has been sick
- Property managers, landlords, and Airbnb hosts between tenants or guests
- Homeowners after water damage drying or mold remediation is finished
- Offices, shops, and other businesses before reopening (FL Cleanup carries $1M in general liability)
What Affects the Price
- Size of the property
- Number of AC systems
- Whether other work (drying, mold removal) is needed first
- Residential vs. commercial
Call and we’ll give you a straight price for your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between cleaning and disinfecting?
Cleaning removes visible dirt. Disinfecting applies an antimicrobial product to cleaned surfaces to reduce germs. You need the cleaning first for the disinfecting to work.
How long does the whole visit take?
The wipe-down depends on the size of the property. The air treatment that follows takes about 8 hours.
Do I need to leave the property?
Yes. People and pets stay out for about 8 hours during the whole-home air treatment.
Will this get rid of mold?
No. Mold has to be physically removed and the moisture source fixed. Disinfecting can be a final step after that work.
Is it worth it after someone has been sick?
Many families book it as a reset once everyone has recovered. For health questions, talk to your doctor.
Can you use a green product?
Yes, on request. Tell us which product you need when you call.
Conclusion
A professional disinfecting visit is simple once you know the plan: a quick call, a walk-through, a full antimicrobial wipe-down, and a whole-home air treatment that takes about 8 hours with everyone out. If there’s moisture or mold, we’ll tell you and handle that first.
FL Cleanup is family-owned, IICRC certified, and has served Florida since 2016. We answer 24/7; when you call, we’ll tell you honestly when a technician can be there based on that day’s schedule. Hablamos español.
