Despite being incredibly practical and convenient, if used incorrectly, an antibacterial wipe’s effectiveness will be significantly reduced. Anything from an incorrect contact time to the wrong technique can render even the best wipe ineffective. In this blog, the Guardpack team have provided some common examples of how you may be using your wipes incorrectly.
Antibacterial wipe’s effectiveness: Are you using the wrong product?
By ‘wrong product’, we’re not asking whether you’ve accidentally bought a family-sized pack of toilet paper when you meant to buy wipes. You may, however, through no fault of your own, have fallen for a classic marketing trick. Many domestic brands will lead you to believe that their wipes are the only thing you could ever need. They will probably state that they kill 99.9% of bacteria, but are they really up to scratch? The minimum standard on which you should judge an antibacterial wipe’s effectiveness is the European Standard EN1276. This certifies the product as antibacterial.
The best products will have been proven to kill viruses also. You should look out for products that have a contact time of a maximum of 60 seconds and have been certified to EN14476:2013 + A2:2019. Guardpack’s range of antibacterial and antiviral formulas, for example, are professionally tested to kill viruses in less that 30 seconds, along with an astonishing 99.999% of germs!
Are you storing your wipes correctly?
When you’re not using your wipes, keeping them in a cool, dry space with the lid closed securely is standard practice. This will prevent them from drying out. To ensure an antibacterial wipe’s effectiveness, it’s paramount that they retain plenty of moisture. Keeping a multipack of wipes on its side is a great tip. This is because as the moisture settles in the pack, all the wipes will retain an even amount.
Are you cross-contaminating?
If you’re investing in the right wipes, you should have no issue using them to disinfect multiple different surfaces. In order to avoid cross-contamination, however, it’s important to use a fresh wipe for each new surface. Not doing so could result in germs transferring from surface to wipe to new surface, and spreading even further. A fresh, moist wipe should be utilised for each new surface! And be sure to dispose of each used wipe in the bin!
Is your cleaning technique affecting your antibacterial wipe’s effectiveness?
All of the issues mentioned above add up to a subpar cleaning technique. So, we have offered a few simple steps to ensure you are cleaning safely and effectively:
- Take a fresh wipe from the pack. If stored correctly, this wipe release a sufficient cleaning agent onto the surface in order for it to be disinfected effectively.
- Aim to avoid wiping the same area twice, whilst wiping in a regular pattern, to ensure full coverage. Once the entire surface have been covered evenly, the cleaning agent will do the rest.
- Let the surface air dry naturally – all chemicals need time to act. Professional products should have a contact time of 60 seconds or less. Be sure to check the label on your pack of wipes to confirm this.
- When you move on to a new surface, be sure to use a new wipe to avoid cross-contamination.
- Finally, always dispose of wipe correctly. Even if your pack of wipes claim to be flushable, never flush them! They can cause a multitude of problems to our waterways and drainage systems.
Would you like to find out more about our variety of wipe products and our antibacterial wipe’s effectiveness? If so, please get in touch! Contact Guardpack today on 01245 505 807.
