Wearing masks, staying out of social situations, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces are some of the most essential habits that can help stop the spread of germs. While disinfectant sprays are a great choice, wipes are equally effective. Wipes are easy to use and reduce the amount of chemicals released into the air. However, using them correctly is crucial.
Use Wipes in High-Traffic Areas
Surfaces in shared spaces that many people touch often require routine disinfecting. Wipes are an easy and convenient option for cleaning and sanitizing these areas. A readily available sanitizing wipes dispenser can help prevent germs from spreading between coworkers and customers.
For best results, choose disinfectant wipes that are EPA-registered to kill various harmful pathogens. For most EPA-registered products, direct users keep the surface wet for 2- 10 minutes to kill all germs. Wipes misused or for a shorter period can leave surfaces or equipment unclean, susceptible to cross-contamination, or may not effectively kill COVID-19 or other viruses and bacteria.
In addition, look for cleaning and disinfectant wipes that are premoistened with sanitizer or disinfectant. It eliminates the need for mixing and diluting chemicals, reducing labor time and the potential for missteps. Wipes also make it simple to clean and sanitize a single surface without the risk of contaminating other surfaces or tools.
Disinfectant wipes are ideal for healthcare facilities and businesses with high traffic or shared surfaces frequently touched by multiple people. These surfaces include office furniture, door handles, electronic devices, and fitness equipment. Disinfectant wipes can also quickly and easily sanitize patient rooms, nurse’s stations, and medical equipment.
Keep Wipes in an Accessible Place
Disinfectant wipes allow individuals to remove their germs from high-touch surfaces before and after using them, lessening the burden on janitorial teams. They also help reduce cross-contamination and infection by allowing staff members to clean their workstations.
Keeping wipes on individual workspaces and common areas is a great way to encourage use. Wipes are also a quick, convenient way to wipe down equipment and tools in medical settings. They can be used to clean items like blood pressure cuffs, keyboards, and phones after each use to reduce contamination in hospital operating rooms and other high-touch areas. Wipes can also be used in nurse’s stations and patient care areas to quickly clean up minor messes and disinfect surfaces between patients.
For commercial offices, consider putting a container of disinfectant wipes on each desk or in a central location to encourage employees to use them to clean their workspace. If you are a large company, consider having large canisters or dispensers of wipes placed in high-traffic areas around the facility, such as the lobby, conference room, and breakroom. To keep wipes easily accessible, choose a container with a resealable top or other easy-to-open packaging to prevent drying. Also, look for a product labeled as flushable to avoid unnecessary waste.
Follow the Directions
Disinfectant wipes are an easy, safe way to remove germs from frequently touched surfaces. When placed in accessible places and accompanied by an educational message about their use, they can help minimize the spread of harmful pathogens. Wipes are handy for disinfecting high-touch areas in shared spaces like break rooms and conference areas. When using disinfectant wipes, following the directions on the product label is essential. For example, some products require a specified contact time to kill harmful pathogens. It is also crucial to properly sanitize food-contact surfaces, such as counters and tables, with a disinfectant approved for those purposes.
While sprays may be quicker, disposable pre-moistened wipes are the safest method of surface cleaning and disinfection. Sprays can create mists that are inhaled and have the potential to cause surface damage. Wipes eliminate this risk and contain just the right amount of product to thoroughly clean and sanitize surfaces in one step. It is essential to provide janitorial staff with disinfecting wipes and educate them on when to use them in your facility. It will help them protect their health and the health of your building occupants by focusing on shared, high-touch surfaces when illness levels spike. Placing disinfecting wipes at individual workstations also encourages occupants to wipe down their workspaces and personal items.
Dispose of Wipes Properly
Despite their disposable nature, disinfectant wipes can cause environmental damage if improperly disposed of. It’s true if they are flushed, where they can travel on an underground journey that ends up clogging sewers and drains. As a result, they can contribute to fatbergs and other plumbing disasters that require the services of a plumber to disentangle.
To prevent this, dispose of wipes in a waste bin and never flush them. Unlike spray cleaners, wipes don’t release chemicals into the air upon application. It allows staff to use them in spaces where people may have respiratory issues, like a hospital operating room, without fear of breathing in dangerous chemicals.
Wipes can also be used on food prep surfaces to sanitize utensils and cutting boards quickly. However, when using disinfectant wipes on food, it is essential to wipe down a surface only once the allotted time for the disinfectant has passed. It ensures the wipes don’t interfere with the food’s taste or texture. For this reason, it is best to purchase sanitizing wipes labeled as non-toxic and safe for food.
