Do antibacterial wipes kill bacteria and viruses?
Do antibacterial wipes kill Coronavirus (COVID-19) germs?
Are antibacterial wipes the same as antiviral wipes and disinfectant wipes?….
The quick answer is, it depends. Every pack of sanitiser wipes should have its own certifications / approvals, and should state on the packaging or on the website you buy them from what germs they are able to kill. Or they may just be heavy duty wipes for removing grease etc, and not actually include a disinfectant ingredient. If you are using them with the intention of protecting your workplace from COVID-19, or reducing the spread of this virus, you must be very careful to ensure the wipes are certified to kill this 99.9% of this virus. Some wipes, like the kind made with benzalkonium chloride, are only approved to kill bacteria. They might not work as well on viruses so they are not approved to do this. Wipes that say “disinfectant” on the label usually kill bacteria, viruses, and mold. Checking the product’s label for the EPA registration number helps find out what it is approved to. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) keeps a list of approved disinfectants on its website.
Can I use antibacterial wipes to clean my hands?
Some antibacterial wipes or sanitiser wipes are suitable to use for your hands. You need to ensure the label states they are suitable for use on hands or skin, or even better, is dermatologically tested. Disinfectant wipes that aren’t approved for using on hands could give you an allergic reaction. It might give you contact dermatitis, which makes your skin red, itchy, and swollen. Harsh chemicals could cause even more problems on children’s hands.
What are the best antiviral wipes and the best antibacterial wipes?
Here are some examples of wipes, so you can see the difference between wipes for killing viruses and bacteria, wipes for removing dirt, grease and grime, and wipes for sanitising hands…
Big Wash Antibacterial Hand & Surface Wipes – Alcohol Free
These wipes are designed and certified not only to be used for disinfecting surfaces, but for using to sanitise hands. They are Dermatologically tested, which means they are kind to skin, and have no harsh chemicals like bleach. These antibacterial and antiviral wipes are certified to kill many different germs: Bacteria: EN1276, EN16615, EN13727, EN1500. Viruses: EN14476 (Coronavirus), EN16615, EN1650
- Big Wash® Hand & Surface Wipes are high performance wipes designed to protect workers & the general public from Community Acquired Infections (CAIs)
- Great for disinfecting high touch points to help prevent the spread of viral and bacterial infections.
- The pre-moistened wipes consistently deliver the right amount of active ingredient in every wipe to prevent cross-contamination
- Big Wash® Antibacterial Hand & Surface Wipes contain no bleach or alcohol and have been
dermatological tested making them kind to the skin. - Kills common viruses* and bacteria (*Proven to kill 99.99% of coronavirus)
- Professional super large wipe size (32x20cm)
- Tested to proven EU Standards
- Non-abrasive and lint free
- Active ingredients: Quaternary Ammonium Compound (EU Biocide Compliant)
- Safety benefits: NO BLEACH, NO ALCOHOL, User friendly, Dermatologically tested, Non-taint, No mixing, no measuring, No mess, No training required.
- Efficacy: Bacteria: EN1276, EN16615, EN13727, EN1500. Viruses: EN14476 (Coronavirus), EN16615, EN1650
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Big Wash Antibacterial Surface Wipes – Alcohol Free
These antibacterial wipes are made for disinfecting surfaces to kill bacteria, as well as viruses. This helps reduce the spread of infection, if you use to wipe touch points like desks and keyboards, as most bacteria on these surfaces will be killed, which reduces the chance of somebody catching the germ.
- Blue Antibacterial Surface Wipes in a large tub
- Convenient, Effective Germ Control
- Designed to protect surfaces and prevent contamination
- Ideal for sanitising any surface to minimize the spread of bacteria and viruses
- For fast and hygienic cleaning
- Conforms to EN1276 and EN14476 (COVID-19) standard
- 500 wipes per bucket
- Wipe Spec: 32gsm 75%:25% – Viscose: Polyester Mix
- Wipe Size: 18.7cm x 25cm
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Big Wash Alcohol Hand & Surface Wipes, Antibacterial Tub of 500 Wipes
These wipes are tested and approved to kill not only bacteria, but viruses as well, including coronavirus. They are suitable for sanitising surfaces and hands, making them a versatile disinfectant wipe.
- Ideal for sanitising any surface to minimize the spread of bacteria and viruses
- Alcohol wipes, also suitable for sanitizing hands
- Tested and approved to EN1276 and EN14476 (COVID-19), EN1500
- Large wipe size 250 x 190mm
- Large Bucket of 500 blue wipes
- Convenient, effective germ control
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Hanzl Power Wipes for Cleaning Hands, Tools & Surfaces
Rather than being ‘disinfectant’ wipes, these are heavy duty wipes designed to remove heavy dirt including grease or wet paint from surfaces or tools, or even hands! They are designed to be tough on dirt, but kind to skin.
- Luxury smooth textured hand cleaner wipes
- Heavy duty wipes to remove heavy dirt, tar, grease, wet paint, ink and many other hard-to-remove soils.
- A powerful multipurpose wipe
- Free from harmful solvents
- Super versatile, can be used to clean hands, tools, equipment, surfaces and more
- In addition to hands, you can use these wipes to clean up spills, drips and splatters from many non-porous surfaces
- Eliminates the need for water or towels
- With a clean citrus fragrance
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What is EN1276 standard?
BS EN 1276 is the European standard for the bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants as proof of effective infection control against harmful micro-organisms such as MRSA, Salmonella, E.Coli, Flu Virus (H1N1) and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. In order to pass this standard, products have been tested by an independent laboratory and must prove a bacteria kill rate of 99.999% within 5 minutes.
What is EN 14476 standard?
EN 14476 is a European standard which means the product is tested to evaluate the virucidal activity of chemical disinfectants intended for use in the medical area. In order to recieve this standard, the product must be tested to kill the following viruses: Poliovirus type 1, Adenovirus type 5 and murine norovirus. This is because these viruses are more resistant to disinfectants, and when a disinfectant is active against them can be considered effective against any other virus not tested, including coronavirus.
What is EN 1500 Standard?
The EN 1500 is a European Standard test method that evaluates the efficacy of a hygienic handrub, by measuring the number of viable bacteria remaining on the fingertips after contamination and handrub exposure. A handrub is defined as a treatment that involves rubbing the hands without the addition of water, such as hand sanitiser gel, or the liquid in hand sanitiser wipes. This method specifically simulates conditions for establishing if a hygienic handrub decreases the release of transient flora from the hands.
How to use wipes properly for the best effects…
Did you know to successfully kill germs on the surface you are wiping, you shouldn’t dry it straight after wiping? The surface or hands should stay visibly wet for a while. It could be anywhere from 15 seconds to 10 minutes. The amount of time depends on the product’s ingredients and what germs you are trying to kill. Usually the wipes label will include directions. You can search by the product’s registration number to find out more on the EPA website.
Most wipes can clean and disinfect, but if the surface is really dirty you should really clean it before sanitising it for best results. A lot of dirt and grime can make it hard for disinfectants to do their job. You can clean surfaces properly with soapy water or another household cleaner before disinfecting.
Most wipes aren’t made for soft surfaces like carpet or fabric. The reason for this is fabrics or textiles suck up moisture from the wipe. This means they don’t stay wet long enough for the chemicals to work in killing germs. Wipes work well on hard, nonporous things like plastic and stainless steel. These type of surfaces are where germs, including viruses like COVID-19, tend to stay around the longest.
Experts aren’t sure how much you can disinfect with a single wipe. A wipe loses moisture the more you use it. If a wipe gets to dry you could end up spreading germs from one surface to another. Studies have shown wipes may work best on 1-2 square feet if the surface stays wet long enough. So it’s ok to disinfect a couple of light switches, doorknobs or other touch points with the same wipe, but its best to keep using fresh wipes for different surfaces, for the best outcome. Wipes should be stored at room temperature. If they get too warm, such as in a hot car, they could dry out. Disposable wipes can’t kill germs without moisture, so its best to ensure you close the lid properly after using so they don’t dry out.
On another note, wipes need to go in general waste, and the same goes for paper towels. Once they are used they cannot be recycled as they are classed as contaminated waste. They should not be flushed down the toilet as they can clog your pipes and even cause a sewage backup down the line. Even “flushable” wipes don’t break up in water the way toilet paper does. Sewer spills can end up in lakes, rivers, or oceans, which is not good for the environment.
Why do I need to use disinfectant wipes?
The new coronavirus, COVID-19, spreads between people through small droplets released from the nose or mouth of an infected person, like many other respiratory viruses. These droplets can either be inhaled by people nearby or can land on surfaces. When the surfaces are touched by uninfected people, it often leads to the transmission of the virus. Studies have shown that COVID-19 can survive in air droplets for as long as three hours, and on some hard surfaces for up to three days. This points up the need to regularly sanitise surfaces that people regularly touch, using antibacterial wipes or surface sanitiser sprays, and also regularly sanitise your hands. Surfaces that need regular sanitising include:
Door handles
Light Switches
Computer Keyboard and Mouse
Desks / Tables / Worktops
Phones
Photocopier Buttons
Pens
Coffee Machine Buttons
Lift / Elevator Buttons
Remote Controls
Bathroom fixtures
Toilets
It is a good idea to have a company cleaning schedule or plan to make sure disinfecting happens as regular as it needs to, especially since the recent pandemic. Having hand sanitiser gel and a wipes dispenser station placed in easy to get to areas helps ensure your staff have easy access to disinfectant products.
Consider making your wipes holder more aesthetically pleasing at work with a stylish wipes dispenser station with a built in bin, available in black, white or grey colours. Ensure wipes are easily to hand and quick to dispose of with a designated waste bin! Waste bin includes our Longopac continuous liner system, improves hygiene, reduces plastic usage, saves time. Click here to see how the Longopac liners improve hygiene & reduce cross infection control
Place this wall mounted wipe bucket holder in a convenient location to make hand & surface sanitiser wipes easily accessible to everyone in your workplace. Adjustable opening helps it fit different wipe tub sizes… made of brushed stainless steel.
BROWSE OUR RANGE OF WIPES HERE
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