Schools need to disinfect surfaces and equipment regularly. This reduces the number of harmful pathogens in a facility and helps keep students and staff healthy. Wipes are an effective and convenient way to sanitize surfaces. However, choosing suitable wipes in bulk for your school is essential. EPA-approved disinfectant wipes have a specific dwell time for killing bacteria, germs, and viruses. Using the wrong one can increase risks and cause health issues.
Protects Against Germs
A disinfectant wipe can banish germs and bacteria with a single swipe. This cleaning tool is a valuable resource for many environments, including offices, retail spaces, schools, gyms, and hospitals. Disinfectant wipes contain:
- Antimicrobial agents that kill germs and viruses.
- Making them ideal for high-touch surfaces like desks.
- Door handles.
- Fitness equipment.
Purchasing disinfectant wipes in bulk can improve cleanliness and safety. It also saves time and money. However, it’s essential to consider the size of your order before committing to it. To avoid overspending, determine how frequently you use the wipes and their purpose. For example, some disinfectant wipes are formulated to clean electronics, while others are designed to remove dirt and grime from hard surfaces. Disinfectant wipes typically consist of active ingredients such as alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. They may also have inactive ingredients like water, fragrance, and preservatives. It’s important to note that some people are sensitive or allergic to these chemicals.
Before purchasing a particular brand, read its label to ensure it’s safe for your needs. The acquisition, manufacture, and distribution of disinfectant wipes generate significant non-biodegradable plastic waste. They also contribute to ocean pollution and can leach hazardous chemicals into the environment. To reduce their environmental impact, look for eco-friendly and biodegradable brands. Also, make sure your wipes are sourced from recycled materials.
Helps Prevent Illnesses
During the COVID-19 pandemic, disinfectant wipes became widely used to quickly sanitize surfaces and equipment as an extra precaution against spreading the virus. Many wipe producers ramped up production to meet the high demand, increasing production to as much as a million packages per day in some cases. Disinfectant wipes are a pre-dampened cloth that contains an active solution to kill germs. Their raw materials vary, depending on the brand and type of wipe. Most common, however, are a blend of cellulosic fibers (cotton, wood pulp, and viscose) and polyolefin fibers, such as polyester.
The production of wipes requires various forms of energy, from extracting the raw materials to producing them by machines and transporting them to their destinations. These processes require fossil fuels. Wipes also have a significant environmental footprint during the dwell time of their formula, which means they need to be in contact with the surface for a certain amount of time to kill harmful organisms. This is why it is essential only to use EPA-approved disinfectant products. The EPA has an online tool to help users find the best products.
Reduces Risk of Infection
As the pandemic continues, schools must keep a stockpile of disinfectant wipes in place for quick and effective cleaning and disinfecting. EPA-approved disinfectant wipes help kill disease-causing pathogens, curbing their spread and reducing infection rates. They’re also easy to use and safe for the environment. Disinfectant wipes, including electronics and remote controls, can be used for various surfaces and items. They’re also helpful for quickly sanitizing door handles, light switches, art supplies, gym equipment, and other shared objects that can spread germs. To ensure that you choose the right type of disinfectant, read the product label and follow any recommendations regarding surface types and required contact time.
Different surfaces may require different treatments to kill bacteria and viruses. Wipes can also be a convenient option for sanitizing hands without using hand sanitizer or water, which can be difficult in classrooms with limited space and a lack of water fountains. This can be especially helpful for students with sensitive hands or those who cannot wash their hands with soap and water for long periods due to work requirements, school schedules, or physical limitations. It’s always a good idea to purchase disinfectant wipes from a reputable supplier that offers reliable brands of wipes.
Disinfectants purchased from untrustworthy retailers may not be fully effective or contain dangerous chemicals that can lead to various symptoms, including chemical burns, rashes, eye and skin irritation, dripping, stinging, itching, coughing, nausea, or even breathing problems. Disinfectant wipes are a great way to clean and disinfect surfaces in schools and laundromats. Using them correctly and disposing of them responsibly can help prevent environmental contamination and safety risks.
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