Over the past decade, disinfectant wipes have become a staple for facilities of all kinds.
- Fitness centers offer them to allow members to sanitize and disinfect equipment after use.
- Offices and workplaces invest in them to promote hygiene amongst staff and employees.
- Schools use them to help stop the spread of germs.
- Hotels have them available as a brand standard to let guests and travelers know that cleanliness is their top priority.
- Hospitals and medical facilities rely on them to help reduce HAIs and protect patients.
Disinfecting towelettes have become a preferred go-to cleaning product, especially for athletic and fitness centers. The days of using spray bottles and towels to remove germs and grime from surfaces and equipment are outdated.
WHY PEOPLE PREFER DISINFECTANT WIPES
What makes towelettes so popular among customers, guests, and employees?
- Easy to use – Guests like that they can simply grab a wipe from a dispensing bucket or stand, wipe the machine they’ve used, and toss it.
- Convenient – When towelettes are easily accessible, it makes cleaning and sanitizing hands, surfaces, and equipment much simpler.
- Time-saving – Wiping equipment and surfaces usually takes less than a minute, significantly less time than using a spray bottle and towel or other cleaning method.
- Safer – Mixing and pouring of potentially dangerous chemicals for spray bottles is not required when pre-moistened towelettes are offered.
If you haven’t already, you may want to consider investing in wipes for your business. But do your research first! There are specific questions you should ask a supplier or manufacturer to understand if a specific wipe is what’s needed in your facility.
WHAT IS THE FORMULA?
Knowing what chemical ingredients a towelette is pre-moistened with is essential. It’s important to read the ingredient list, label or SDS sheet to understand what the disinfectant wipe is composed of.
WE RECOMMEND AVOIDING THESE CLEANING CHEMICALS…
- Isopropyl Alcohol is a highly flammable chemical that may be used for cleaning by some, yet it can be dangerous. Besides being corrosive for certain surfaces and pieces of equipment, when accidentally mixed with bleach it releases chloroform vapors–vapors which can harm the central nervous system, can irritate the skin, and can cause liver or kidney damage. If you feel you must use alcohol, be exceptionally careful!
- Bleach is a highly toxic, highly volatile chemical that emits a toxic and sometimes deadly vapor when mixed with ammonia, isopropyl alcohol, and other chemicals. The SDS (Safety Data Sheet) for bleach indicates it’s a corrosive substance that can cause severe skin and eye damage, and inhalation can cause respiratory irritation. We recommend against using bleach products for facility cleaning. But if you do, you MUST handle bleach with caution and use proper protective equipment, including gloves, eye protection, and respiratory protection.
- Hydrogen Peroxide is generally considered safer and less toxic than bleach. But it can still be harmful to those who come into contact with it, especially when proper PPE is not used. Again, we recommend against hydrogen peroxide.
All in all, disinfectants that utilize the above chemicals can impact your business in unwanted ways. Equipment can be damaged, shortening its lifespan. Unpleasant odors could be left behind. And frankly, isopropyl alcohol and bleach are simply dangerous to use and control.
USE ONLY EPA REGISTERED DISINFECTANTS
By definition, a product is not a disinfectant unless it is tested and registered by the Environmental Protection Agency. While bleach may be a cheap (but dangerous) cleaner, we recommend using EPA registered disinfectant towelettes like the ones offered by 2XL. Our disinfectant wipe labels list the pathogens each disinfectant wipe kills, along with the contact time (dwell time) needed to kill the respective pathogen.
WHAT IS THE DWELL TIME OF YOUR DISINFECTANT?
Dwell Time is also referred to as “Kill Time” or “Contact Time”. It is the period of time a disinfectant wipe’s formula must remain wet on a surface to kill harmful organisms. Your disinfectant solution must be able to stay wet on the surface for the contact time listed on its label. If wipes contain alcohol, the solution may dry up more quickly, reducing contact time. Understanding dwell time is crucial for effective disinfecting.
Products that have shorter dwell times may be more convenient for busy facilities that have numerous high-touch surfaces. If more than one person will be using a surface immediately after the last user on a regular basis, you may want to consider a disinfectant with shorter dwell times. But remember, the most important aspect of a disinfectant is that it kills the pathogens you need it to kill!
WHAT ARE THE KILL CLAIMS OF YOUR DISINFECTANT?
Many disinfectant wipes on the market claim to kill 99.9% of germs and bacteria, but what germs do they specifically kill? It’s important to understand this when selecting the best wipe for your facility. Again, start by reviewing the label and Safety Data Sheet. Does the product kill the pathogens that are most commonly associated with your facility? Naturally, we’re all concerned with removing harmful cold and flu viruses, but beyond that, the answer will vary based on your industry. Hospitals, gyms, kitchens, and schools are all breeding grounds for infections, but not always the same ones. For example,
- Fitness centers are especially prone to MRSA, ringworm, and staph infections.
- Offices see more outbreaks of norovirus, salmonella, listeria, and gastroenteritis.
- Restaurants are prone to foodborne illnesses caused by E.coli, listeria, and campylobacter.
- Hotels need to focus on controlling MRSA, norovirus, and staph outbreaks.
- Hospitals are more likely to harbor C. Diff and Hepatitis Viruses
You need to know the bacterial threats in your industry. This can help you choose disinfectant wipes that kill a wide spectrum of pathogens. Doing so can enhance safety and infection prevention, keeping your customers, employees, and your reputation safer.
WHAT IS THE THE WIPE COUNT?
Wipe count affects your total annual costs, convenience for customers and employees, and environmental impact.
First, consider how many wipes your facility will need. How many wipes will be used in each area each day, on average? To determine this, factor in approximately how many times each area will need to be disinfected each day. How many wipes is that per area, per day? Multiply this by 31 to calculate your average monthly usage of individual wipes.
For some assistance, use our handy wipe calculators.
Next, find out how many wipes are in the canister or bucket you will be purchasing. Lower count containers can result in more orders and running out of disinfecting wipes in critical locations.
Highly trafficked facilities may want to order 700-count or more containers. You’ll save money and time with this approach because you’ll order and need staff to refill less frequently. You’ll also incur fewer costs for the actual containers which can add up. Additionally, look for wipes that come in recyclable buckets instead of canisters as canisters can cost more and are not biodegradable.
WHAT IS THE QUALITY OF THE TOWELETTE MATERIAL?
The quality and material of the towelettes you select are critical. Not only do good quality wipes contribute to the effectiveness of the product and safety of your facility, but they can also:
- Improve the user-experience: Who wants a wipe that tears while they’re using it?
- Decrease consumption: Flimsy wipes will require more to be used, which can add up and be wasteful in the long run.
- Decrease your environmental impact: Fewer wipes used means a reduced environmental footprint.
Consider the quality of the wipe by asking these questions:
- Does it tear easily?
- Is it adequately saturated?
- Is it durable?
- Is it large enough to disinfect a piece of equipment?
- What is the material?
- Does it leave a residue?
Different tasks require different types of material wipes. Durability, total count per roll, and absorbancy are all a result of the material your wipes are made from.
- Non-woven cellulose is thin and often leave fibers on surfaces.
- Non-woven polyester and polypropylene are recyclable and have mid-level durability.
- Woven and knitted fabrics are the most durable options.
- Biodegradable fabrics range in thickness and quality.
Thinner disinfecting wipes may suit your facility’s needs if they are the correct size, durability, and moisture content for an effective dwell time. However, woven and knit fabrics and some biodegradable wipes are on the premium end, offering the most efficient and effective solution. Again, the best choice for your facility will be determined by the things that are unique to your space.
DETERMINE WHAT YOU NEED FIRST
There are many factors to consider in choosing the best disinfectant wipe. The unique needs of your facility will guide your decision. When you understand what to consider, your choice will be easier in selecting a manufacturer or brand.
Contact 2XL customer service or visit our product pages for specifications on every wipe we offer. We’ll be happy to talk through the needs of your building or facility and help guide you in your decision making.