A reader writes: “I use disinfectant wipes on almost every surface including phone, key boards, light switches, toilet seats, etc. The label says that I do not have to rinse but I have had comments from tenants about odor and toilet seats. What am I doing wrong?”
Sounds like you are doing a lot of “right” things however, you need to consider using a clean, damp cloth/wipe (just water, not chemical) to follow through with the chemical wipes on key touch surfaces such as toilet seats. Although it is advisable for a person to use a toilet seat cover (or toilet tissue) on a bare toilet seat, it is not always done. This means the person can be touching bare skin to a surface that has a chemical residue on it. I certainly do not know the statistics but out of 100 or 1,000 or 10,000 events some people may be sensitive to this particular product or a chemical in it. The safest bet is to allow the chemical wipe the specified dwell time and then follow through with a clean, damp wipe to remove any residue.
Although I am not familiar with the product you are using you need to understand that it contains not only a disinfectant but also a mild detergent as well as perfumes, stabilizers and other chemicals that may or may not be safe for extended contact. One of my recommendations is for you and all staff to wear personal protective equipment (in this case gloves) to protect your skin from ongoing exposure to the chemicals in the wipes. Please investigate any potential health issues with this product if it is used over an extended period of time. Check the MSD carefully and use a search engine for others who may have had skin reactions.
Custodial Best Practices always encourages going above and beyond in protecting not only the health of your customers but that of your employees as well. Your comments and questions are important. I hope to hear from you soon. Until then, keep it clean...
Mickey Crowe has been involved in the industry for over 35 years. He is a trainer, speaker and consultant. You can reach Mickey at 678-314-2171 or [email protected]
Clean your surfaces according to label directions. Use enough so that whatever surface you're cleaning stays wet for the recommended amount of time—in the case of disinfecting wipes like the ones from Clorox
Clorox
The ingredients in Clorox bleach are water, sodium hypochlorite, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium chlorate, sodium hydroxide and sodium polyacrylate. For historical reasons, and in certain markets, the company's bleach products are sold under regional brands.
Lysol (/ˈlaɪsɒl/; spelled Lizol in India) is a brand of American cleaning and disinfecting products distributed by Reckitt, which markets the similar Dettol or Sagrotan in other markets. The line includes liquid solutions for hard and soft surfaces, air treatment, and hand washing.
Disinfecting wipes do work — research tells us that — but it also tell us that if you don't follow the rules carefully, you could be spreading germs across your entire kitchen, just as you think you're wiping away potentially dangerous ones.
It is important to read the registration number properly to make sure the correct product is on the desired list. Using the EPA registration number is the best way to accurately identify a product.
The main purpose of wipes is to remove contamination from surfaces. Additionally, some wipes may provide some antimicrobial activity by the inclusion of a disinfectant although this activity might be limited based on contact time, type of surface and contamination present.
Once you have finished using disinfecting wipes on a food preparation or eating surface, make sure you rinse the surface with potable water and then dry off with a towel. This should also be followed for children's toys and objects they may put into their mouth. Dispose of the wipe properly once you have finished.
Sanitizing and disinfecting wipes are fine to touch while you're cleaning with them, but they should never be used to clean hands or other body parts. Disinfecting wipes, such as Nice 'N CLEAN® Disinfecting Wipes, contain chemicals that kill bacteria and viruses, which may cause skin irritation.
Always check for an EPA number on the label of any wipes you are going to use. If you find an EPA number, they are disinfecting wipes, and should never be used on human skin or used by children.
Always read product labels and follow safety instructions when using disinfecting wipes. Never use them before or while eating, and always wash hands with soap and warm water when done. In addition to cleaners, body care products such as toothpaste, acne face wash and deodorant contain antibacterial chemicals.
Sanitizing kills bacteria on surfaces using chemicals. It is not intended to kill viruses. Yes, EPA registers products that sanitize. Disinfecting kills viruses and bacteria on surfaces using chemicals.
Whether you use a disinfecting wipe, or a disinfecting spray followed by wiping with a paper towel, your hands and anything that touched the contaminated surface may now also be contaminated. If you don't wash your hands after disinfecting the surface, you risk getting sick from E.
Like bleach, they do expire, but they do not go bad in the same way as food. The rule is that most disinfectant wipes will expire 12 months after they have been manufactured. In terms of expiry, disinfecting wipes will still have a certain level of effectiveness after these 12 months.
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A reader writes: “I use disinfectant wipes on almost every surface including phone, key boards, light switches, toilet seats, etc. The label says that I do not have to rinse but I have had comments from tenants about odor and toilet seats. What am I doing wrong?”