Tim Beale disinfects Featherston School’s playground. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
ARTHUR HAWKES
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Baylee and Tim Beale, who operate the cleaning company Wash Rite, have offered free disinfecting to schools and public areas, in an effort to keep people safe during the covid-19 pandemic, and provide a little community support.
Initially they offered the service at no cost. Since that announcement, made while we were still in Level 2, they are still honouring every agreement – and still disinfecting for free.
“When we were on Level 2, before we went up to Level 4, we put a post out there offering our services,” Tim said.
“The core of our business is house washing and the bleach solution we use is the one they use for sanitising – and it kills any viruses. So, we just thought: let’s put it out there, for public schools, playgrounds, play centres, preschools.”
So far, the team have serviced several schools, including Featherston School, St Teresa’s, Masterton Intermediate, Solway College, Fernridge School, Carterton School, St. Mary’s School, Makoura College, and others.
While the team are no longer offering new contracts for free disinfecting, Baylee said they were still offering the service at a heavily discounted rate.
“Because of the financial effects lockdown has had on us we’re now offering it at a discounted rate,” she said.
“For everyone that contacted us before we went into Level 4, we have honoured that and done it for free – and we’re going to continue to do Featherston School for free, and other places that are in our immediate local area.
“So, it’s not free as of now, but it is heavily discounted, to make sure that everybody can have peace of mind.”
As for the equipment, it’s much the same as that used by governments and military forces seen spraying public walkways all around the world: a pressurised bottle that mists a powerful disinfectant that kills covid-19.
“It’s a mist: a bleach-type disinfectant which is applied on to all the play equipment,” Baylee said.
“We are using a sodium hypochlorite solution, as recommended by the guidelines from WHO and CDC – so it’s a lot stronger than normal disinfectant you’d find at home, which means it can be used in larger public areas.”
