Disinfectant wipes are an easy, efficient tool for cleaning and disinfecting items and surfaces in your facility. Keep soft packs and canisters of wipes in high-touch areas easily accessible to employees.
Wipes should always be used at the proper dilution so the hard surface remains wet for the required contact time to kill pathogens. Using disinfectant wipes can be much faster than using spray products.
Eliminate Germs
Disinfectant wipes are a quick way to clean surfaces and eliminate germs, especially on touch points that come into contact with hands or mouths. They are safe for use on most surfaces and contain minimal chemicals, reducing your workplace’s exposure to potentially harmful chemical residues.
Most disinfectant wipes can kill bacteria and viruses, although some types may not be as effective against viruses. Check the label to ensure the product is EPA registered to kill harmful organisms and has a disinfectant active ingredient, such as benzalkonium chloride.
Disinfectant wipes can significantly reduce bacteria levels on desks and other office touchpoints in just one day. One study showed that after participants began using disinfectant wipes daily to clean their desks and telephones, bacteria levels decreased by 19-31%.
Wipes are easy to store and dispense and are handy for quickly cleaning up spills, sticky fingers, or food. They are also more convenient than sprays, making them ideal for cleaning hard-to-reach spaces like keyboards and computer mice.
Before using gym equipment disinfectant wipes, remove any visible dirt or grime with soap and water. Wipes can spread germs from surface to surface if they are too dry, so make sure your wipes are fresh. They should have a manufacturing date on the label, usually a string of letters and numbers: for example, “MR20106.” If you’re using disposable wipes, they must go into general waste and not be flushed down toilets, which can clog pipes and cause sewage backups.
Prevent Cross-Contamination
Unlike spray cleaners, wipes are pre-moistened with just the proper disinfectant. This means there’s no risk of accidentally spilling or squirting too many on surfaces and less exposure to chemical fumes for employees.
Wipes are also convenient for preventing cross-contamination between surfaces. A sanitizer can only kill bacteria, while a disinfectant destroys viruses, mold, mildew, and yeast. For instance, if you use a disinfectant wipe on a keyboard and then touch a doorknob with the same hand, that surface will pick up any viruses or bacteria from your hands, causing cross-contamination.
Disinfectant wipes are also quick and easy to use, as they don’t require other cleaning products’ dilution or mixing stations. This helps reduce janitorial time and effort while still providing a thorough cleaning.
Another benefit of using disinfectant wipes is their safe disposal. While spray bottles of cleaning chemicals need to be appropriately disposed of in designated waste receptacles, wipes can be tossed in general waste – making it a safer option for workers and the environment.
Wipes are also a great way to quickly clean and sanitize medical equipment in hospitals, schools, or public buildings. Items like blood pressure cuffs, elevator buttons, light switches, and phone touch screens can be easily wiped down with a disinfectant wipe to reduce the spread of Coronavirus (or any other virus). Wipes are also perfect for quick clean-ups in operating rooms to prevent cross-contamination between patients.
Save Your Surfaces
A clean and hygienic workplace keeps staff healthy, which can help to prevent the spread of germs. Disinfectant wipes can be a powerful tool to keep surfaces and items clean when used correctly. Ensure that your cleaning staff has the supplies they need to effectively disinfect surfaces by purchasing disinfectant wipes in bulk. This allows you to save money and have a collection for when covers or items need to be cleaned and disinfected quickly.
Before using disinfectant wipes, remove all soil and debris from the surface you want to clean. This can be done with a general-purpose cleaner, clean cloth, or paper towel. All disinfectants, including cleansing wipes, need a dwell time to be effective, so it’s essential to read the label carefully and follow all instructions.
Wipes that state “disinfectant” will kill bacteria and viruses on the material’s surface but won’t sanitize hands. They may also irritate the skin, mainly if used in the mouth. To avoid irritation, wipes should be used with water and not on the hands. It’s also a good idea to test a small area of the surface you’re cleaning with the wipe, as some characteristics are incompatible with disinfectants. Finally, when finished with a cleaning wipe, dispose of it appropriately by placing it in a trash can rather than flushing it down the toilet, as this can cause clogs in pipes and septic systems.
Save Money
Unlike cleaning wipes that remove dirt and dust from surfaces, disinfectant wipes kill germs. To qualify as a disinfectant, whether a spray, liquid, or wipe, products labeled “disinfectants” must show that they kill specific bacteria. Wipes are typically pre-moistened with the proper disinfectant concentration, eliminating the need for janitorial workers to purchase and store concentrated chemicals that must be diluted.
Disinfectant wipes also have the advantage of controlled usage. When a wipe is used, it is saturated with just the right amount of hospital-grade disinfectant to clean and sanitize one surface before it’s thrown away. This prevents the spreading of germs from one character to another and saves money on multiple purchases of cleaning products.
Wipes are convenient and encourage janitorial staff to clean and sanitize high-touch surfaces throughout the day in areas like nurse’s stations, computer stations, patient rooms, and the sign-in regions. Regular cleaning and disinfection of these areas will limit pathogens, reduce health risks between professional cleaning services and help keep your workplace safe and healthy for everyone. Disinfectant wipes can be found in various forms, such as soft packs and canisters that can be placed at any accessible workstation or mobile disinfectant wipe dispensers for maximum convenience.