Surfaces and textiles

The coating needs something to bond to. That is the whole of the practical theory: a clean, dry, reasonably stable surface holds a treatment for its full life, and a dusty, greasy, damp or crumbling one does not. Most disappointing results in the field are a preparation problem rather than a product problem.

The tested list. Hard surfaces: ceramic tiles, glass, plexiglass, galvanised iron, laminate flooring, unpainted cement and plywood. Soft surfaces and textiles: carpet, cotton, cotton blends and polyester. The testing deliberately mixes absorbent and non-absorbent materials, because that is what a real room is made of.

Non-absorbent surfaces (tiles, glass, plexiglass, galvanised iron, laminate) are the straightforward case. Clean, dry, treat. These hold a treatment most predictably and are where a coverage figure is most reliable.

Absorbent surfaces (unpainted cement, plywood, carpet) take up part of the application. Apply the same thin, even layer, work the edges and seams, and do not try to compensate by soaking the surface. On deep-pile carpet, concentrate on the edges and the junction with the skirting.

Surfaces outside the tested list, such as stainless steel, painted plaster, vinyl, resin floors, stone and lacquered or oiled timber: test a hidden area, let it dry fully, look at it in daylight, and record on the service report that the surface is outside the tested list.

Surfaces to leave alone: food contact surfaces, hand contact points such as grab poles, handrails and controls, safety-critical components and webbing, certified protective equipment, live electrical components, display glazing and screens, bait stations and monitoring devices, anything a child or an animal puts in its mouth, and any surface the label does not cover. When in doubt the label decides, not this article.

Textiles: cotton, cotton blends and polyester. Work the seams and tucks, which is where insects sit and where a fast pass usually misses. Test an inconspicuous area first for colour and finish, and let the item dry fully before it is used. A treatment does not survive a wash cycle, so any washed item is retreated at the next service.

Preparation, in order, whatever the surface. Remove dust and grease with an appropriate cleaner. Rinse if the cleaner leaves a residue, because a detergent film is a barrier. Let the surface dry completely. Then treat. Skipping the drying step is the most common cause of a patchy result.

Things that shorten the life of a treatment on any surface: frequent wet cleaning with detergent or solvent, abrasion from handling and foot traffic, and condensation. None of these are faults; they are the reason the reapplication interval exists.