Electrostatic cleaning uses charged particles to deliver more complete, consistent coverage on surfaces. Instead of traditional spray-and-wipe techniques that can leave gaps or create uneven results, electrostatic sprayers positively charge the disinfectant as it leaves the nozzle.
This charge helps the droplets cling to surfaces more effectively, even wrapping around corners and hard-to-reach areas.
Since most surfaces naturally carry a neutral or negative charge, the disinfectant is pulled toward them like a magnet.
The result is a fine mist that actively seeks out surfaces instead of simply falling where it lands. It spreads out evenly, clings to high-touch points, and wraps around edges and undersides that a traditional spray-and-wipe approach can miss. This makes it ideal for facilities that need consistent coverage that is as fast as it is thorough.
The Science Behind It: Why “Charged” Droplets Stick Better
Electrostatic sprayers work because of a basic principle you probably learned back in school: opposite charges attract. When disinfectant droplets are positively charged, they’re drawn toward surfaces that carry a neutral or negative charge. Instead of drifting through the air or settling unevenly, the droplets move with purpose.
Once they hit a surface, the droplets spread out and create an even layer of coverage. They don’t pile up, and they don’t slide off. This is what makes electrostatic cleaning so reliable for high-touch areas, textured materials, and surfaces with corners or curves.
Another benefit is the “wrap-around” effect. Because the droplets are actively attracted to surfaces, they can reach behind and underneath objects. That means the back of a chair or toilet, the underside of a handrail, or the sides of equipment get the same attention as the front-facing surfaces.
For facilities in Greensboro or Winston-Salem with lots of shared spaces or detailed equipment, that kind of consistency is hard to beat.
Step-By-Step: How the Electrostatic Cleaning Process Works
Electrostatic cleaning works best when it follows a structured, professional process. At Carolina Services of the Triad, our technicians take a systematic approach to ensure every surface gets the coverage it needs. Here’s how it works:
▶ 1. Assessing the Space
Before anything is sprayed, we walk the area to identify high-touch points, traffic patterns, and any sensitive equipment. This lets us tailor the process to your facility, whether it’s an office in High Point or a warehouse in Burlington.
We can determine the most ideal placement for the electrostatic devices, and take other considerations into account that may affect timing, coverage, or items and spaces that need to be put away first.
▶ 2. Selecting the Right Disinfectant
We use EPA-registered solutions that pair effectively with electrostatic sprayers. The choice depends on the facility type and any specific needs, such as food-contact areas or medical environments.
Where it makes sense, we largely use the Clorox 360 system for larger facilities.
▶ 3. Applying the Electrostatic Spray
Once the space is prepped, our technicians use commercial-grade electrostatic sprayers to distribute a fine mist of positively charged droplets. This creates the even, wrap-around coverage that makes the method so effective.
You’ll need to empty out the space for this phase, both so that people don’t breathe the spray but also to ensure ideal coverage.
▶ 4. Allowing Proper Dwell Time
Every disinfectant needs a certain amount of time to work. We make sure surfaces stay wet long enough for the product to fully neutralize pathogens.
Generally Clorox 360 kills numerous pathogens in 2 minutes. The full saturation time of 10 minutes is effective against mold, mildew, and serious pathogens like COVID-19 or salmonella. This is 4x faster than other disinfectant methods, and provides wide scale disinfection without significant downtime.
▶ 5. Final Walkthrough
After the dwell time is complete, we check coverage, ensure all high-touch zones were treated, and confirm the space is ready for use. This is especially valuable during apartment turnovers and urgent cleaning situations where timing matters.
When Is Electrostatic Cleaning Most Useful?
Electrostatic cleaning shines in environments where speed, consistency, and full-surface coverage matter. It’s especially helpful in facilities with high foot traffic or tight turnaround windows, where a traditional spray-and-wipe approach would take too long. Here are some use cases:
▶ Office Buildings and Corporate Spaces
Workstations, conference rooms, door handles, and shared equipment all benefit from fast, even disinfectant coverage. This is a popular option for businesses in Greensboro and Winston-Salem aiming to keep teams healthy and operations running smoothly.
A few years back, this was especially sought after as a way to keep office spaces safe for staff and prevent excessive absenteeism.
▶ Medical and Dental Facilities
Patient rooms, waiting areas, and exam spaces require precise coverage. Electrostatic sprayers help ensure surfaces are evenly treated without over-wetting or damaging equipment.
Disinfection is extremely important in these facilities, and the ability to regularly do so without interrupting patient flow is valuable.
▶ Schools and Childcare Centers
Schools have countless high-touch surfaces, from desks and chairs to toys and railings. Electrostatic cleaning helps cover them quickly so classrooms can be ready before the next group arrives.
And in the event where a few students are absent due to sudden illness, this goes a long way toward helping the staff sanitize classrooms to prevent wider spread outbreaks.
▶ Apartment Communities and Turnover Cleaning
When units need to be flipped fast, electrostatic disinfection provides an efficient way to prepare kitchens, bathrooms, and common-area surfaces for new tenants. It pairs well with CST’s regular cleaning and sanitation services.
▶ Industrial and Manufacturing Facilities
Machinery, workstations, and break rooms often have complex shapes and hard-to-reach areas. Electrostatic cleaning ensures those surfaces receive full, even coverage without slowing production.
▶ Gyms, Retail Stores, and Restaurants
These settings require frequent, reliable disinfection. Electrostatic sprayers allow for quick treatment between customer rushes or at closing time.
Whether your facility is wide open or full of equipment and small touch points, electrostatic cleaning brings a level of coverage that’s tough to achieve with manual methods alone.