Equipment guide
What is a fogging machine and how does it work?
A fogging machine is one of those pieces of kit people have heard of but rarely seen explained. In short, it turns a disinfectant solution into a very fine mist that fills a room and reaches surfaces a cloth never touches. Here is how it works, where it fits in a cleaning routine, and why most organisations that use one regularly choose to lease it.
In short
A disinfection fogging machine converts a liquid disinfectant into a fine mist that disperses through an unoccupied room, settling on exposed surfaces — including awkward, high and hard-to-reach areas. It is used after normal cleaning, not instead of it. A Sanondaf fogger weighs about 8kg, is carried by hand, treats around five rooms per hour and, with SanoChem solution, achieves up to 99.9999% reduction of tested microorganisms under validated conditions.
6 min read ·
How does a fogging machine work?
The machine draws a disinfectant solution from its tank and breaks it into tiny droplets. Because the droplets are so small, they stay airborne long enough to spread through the space and settle across exposed surfaces — worktops, handles, chair backs, bed frames, keyboards and the corners that are easy to miss with a cloth.
The operator prepares the room, starts the cycle, leaves and closes the door. The room stays closed for the contact (dwell) time set out in the procedure, and re-entry is checked before anyone goes back in.
- Clean first: remove visible dirt and organic matter by hand
- Prepare: empty the room of people, close windows, protect sensitive items as directed
- Treat: start the fogger, leave, sign the door
- Wait: keep the room closed for the dwell time
- Return: check re-entry conditions and record the treatment
What does a fogging machine actually treat?
Fogging treats exposed surfaces within the room it is used in. It is especially useful where hand wiping is slow or inconsistent: busy clinical rooms, classrooms, vehicles, cabins, canteens, changing areas and offices after an illness goes round.
It does not replace cleaning, clear heavy soiling, or reach inside closed drawers and cupboards. Think of it as the step that makes a clean room consistently disinfected, rather than a shortcut around cleaning.
Is a fogging machine safe to use?
Used correctly, yes. Treatment only happens in unoccupied rooms, by trained operators, following a risk assessment and the manufacturer's procedure. SanoChem is hydrogen-peroxide based, breaks down after use and leaves no residue to wipe away.
Every Sanondaf lease includes on-site operator training, so the people using the machine know how to prepare a room, when it is ready and how to record the treatment.
Fogging machine hire or lease — what is the difference?
Day or weekly hire suits a one-off job. Most organisations that need disinfection more than occasionally find the cost, delivery and re-training of repeated hire adds up. A lease puts a machine on site permanently, with your own staff trained to use it whenever they need to.
Sanondaf machines are leased to organisations only — not individuals — on a 36-month commercial lease that includes training, two calibration visits a year and support, coordinated from the Shropshire & West Midlands office with the backing of the wider Sanondaf UK network. The monthly lease does not rise however many rooms you treat; extra rooms only use extra solution.
Who uses disinfection fogging machines?
Medical centres, care homes, schools and nurseries, universities, food factories, transport depots and hospitality venues all use fogging as part of routine hygiene and outbreak response. The common thread is shared spaces used by lots of people, where a quick, consistent treatment makes a visible difference.
Frequently asked
- How long does a fogging treatment take?
- A Sanondaf fogger treats around five rooms per hour per machine. The room then stays closed for the dwell time in the procedure before re-entry checks.
- Does fogging replace cleaning?
- No. Visible dirt must be cleaned off first. Fogging is the disinfection step that follows, reaching surfaces a cloth can miss.
- Can individuals lease a fogging machine?
- No. Sanondaf leases are for organisations such as medical centres, schools, care homes, food factories and transport operators — not private individuals.
- Is fogging the same as a ULV sprayer?
- We describe our equipment simply as a disinfection fogger. What matters is that the machine, solution and procedure have been tested together and are used by trained staff.
Sources and further reading
Commercial terms are confirmed at survey. Product efficacy depends on the validated application and conditions.