School Infection Control Handbook - 2010

Chapter 4: Selection of Products, Dispensing Equipment, and Application Systems

Reusable Cotton Cloths

Disposable Cotton or Paper Towels Cotton is better than paper but retains less moisture than microfiber

Presaturated Wipes for Surfaces

Conventional Mop and Bucket

Microfiber Mop Pads and Bucket

Reusable Microfiber Cloths Superior – microfiber cloths have such a high density and surface area that they can absorb up to 7 times their weight in water and retain that moisture Prevents cross- contamination if changed regularly and when uses or rooms change Increased fiber surface area and static electric charge enable it to better hold captured microbes Although microfiber needs to be washed and dried, it dries faster than cotton, so there is less chance for microbes to proliferate

Criteria

Ability to Maintain Adequate Contact/Dwell Time to Kill Microbes

Good

Superior – microfiber cloths have such a high density and surface area that they can absorb up to 7 times their weight in water and retain that moisture Prevents cross- contamination if a color-coding system is used and if changed when types of uses or rooms change Because mop head is not dipped back into the solution, there is no cross- contamination of solution in bucket Increased fiber surface area and static electric charge enable it to better hold captured microbes

Good

Can dry out on surface

Although wipes are designed to provide a premeasured amount of solution, the possible uneven saturation level within the container may compromise this Microbes can survive on the cloth and can cause cross-

Cross- Contamination Advantages and Disadvantages

Solutions must be changed regularly Mop must be cleaned and dried or microbes will colonize on the fibers A bucket divided for clean and dirty water prevents cross- contamination when mops are dipped back into solution Disinfecting mop is difficult; one hazardous practice is soaking overnight in bleach

Can serve as a breeding ground for microbes and cause cross- contamination if not laundered and dried before reuse

Cross- contamination may occur between towel dispenser handle and dispensers, especially if located in splash zone

contamination Avoids cross-

contamination that might occur from dipping cloths back into solution

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