How Are Disinfectant Wipes Different From Regular Wipes?

Wipes make a big difference

The concept of disinfecting wipes came much later. According to the industry standard of WS/T 512-2016 "Management Specifications for Environmental Surface Cleaning and Disinfection in Medical Institutions", it specifically refers to the use of non-woven fabrics, fabrics, clean paper or other raw materials as carriers, purified water as production water, and appropriate amount of disinfectant added. and other raw materials, products with cleaning and disinfection effects, suitable for the human body, the surface of general objects, the surface of medical equipment and other objects.

The difference between sanitary wipes and disinfectant wipes

Different range of adaptation

According to my country's industry standard WS 575-2017 "Sanitary Requirements for Sanitary Wet Wipes", sanitary wipes are suitable for cleaning and sterilizing the surfaces of hands, skin, mucous membranes and ordinary objects.

The scope of application of disinfectant wipes is mainly based on the group standard T/WSJD 001-2019 "Hygienic Requirements for Carrier Disinfectants" issued by the China Health Supervision Association. This type of wipes is also suitable for hands and intact skin, but not for mucous membranes. In addition, it is more suitable for disinfection of environmental surfaces, medium and low risk medical device surfaces and medical supplies surfaces.

Different requirements for indicators

Combining the above criteria, it will be found that the microbial indicators of the two types of wet wipes are slightly different.

Note: Pathogenic pyogenic bacteria include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and hemolytic streptococcus

The microbial killing indicators of the two types of wipes are also different.

According to relevant standards, the sterilization index of sanitary wipes requires that the killing rate of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus should be ≥90%. If it is indicated that it has bactericidal effect on fungi, the killing rate of Candida albicans should be ≥90%. %; if it is indicated that it has a killing effect on other microorganisms, the corresponding microorganism killing rate should be ≥90%.

Can Disinfecting Wipes Kill New Viruses?

The new virus belongs to beta coronavirus, which is sensitive to ultraviolet light and heat, and can be inactivated by ether, 75% ethanol, chlorine-containing disinfectant, peracetic acid and chloroform. In theory, disinfectant wipes containing the above ingredients are effective against viruses.

However, it should be noted that ether and chloroform do not belong to the category of disinfection products; chlorine-containing disinfectants and peracetic acid are both strong oxidizing substances and are high-level disinfectants, which are corrosive and irritating to human body and metal, and should not be used in the environment. Daily disinfection of surfaces; 75% ethanol is inflammable and explosive, and is not suitable for surface disinfection of large-scale ordinary objects.

What should I pay attention to when using disinfectant wipes?

While some disinfecting wipes are effective against the new virus, they can backfire if used incorrectly. According to WS/T 512-2016 "Management Specifications for Environmental Surface Cleaning and Disinfection in Medical Institutions", when disinfecting environmental surfaces, the use concentration and action time of disinfectant wipes must be used in strict accordance with the product instructions.

According to relevant standards, the disinfection time of disinfectant wipes for hygienic hands is ≤ 1 minute, and the action time for environmental surfaces and ordinary object surfaces is ≤ 15 minutes.

Finally, when purchasing disinfectant wipes, you should pay attention to the product description and shelf life, and try to buy disinfectant wipes with small and medium-sized packages or individually packaged ones. Large-packed wet wipes will be used for a long time, which will lead to the volatilization of active ingredients, thus greatly reducing the sterilization and disinfection effect of wet wipes!