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Not just visibly clean, with Vikan ErgoClean, it’s clinically clean

Ultramicrofibre (UMF) cloths are significantly more effective than J cloths (Dishcloth) in removing harmful bacteria from hospital surfaces, proves a research paper carried out by University College Hospital Trusts’ Department of Microbiology.

Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) continue to exist despite increasing concern and resources allocated to their control.  Although the source of HAIs remains controversial, many outbreaks have been attributed to environmental factors.   However, for the consistent and effective removal of pathogens, classical cloth-based cleaning requires disinfectants (such as quats) and/or detergents.    Quats though, are well known to be harmful to health, degrade the built environment as well as, in some cases driving antimicrobial resistance.   Hence, the importance of identifying effective bacteria removal without the need for toxic and destructive biocidal agents. 

Microfibre and more latterly UMF cloths and mops have been successfully used in hospitals for some time without any need of detergents or disinfectants.   But how effective are they in the removal of harmful pathogens?  

UCLH selected UMF cloths from Vikan ErgoClean, wellknown for their high quality ultramicrofibres, to test for the removal of MRSA, Klebsiella oxytoca, ACCB and C.diff spores on a range of hospital surfaces.    Rough and smooth tiles, laminates and stainless steel were first sterilised, then contaminated with bacterial suspensions made in phosphate-buffered saline or without 7% BSA.    Both the Vikan ultramicrofibre cloths and J Cloths were moistened with deionised water prior to use.    ATP swap tests were taken to quantify the performance of each of the cloths. 

The UCLH findings concluded “UMF cloths are considerably more effective than J cloths at removing MRSA, ACCB, K.oxytoca and C.diff spores from all three of the surfaces tested.  In most cases, cleaning with UMF cloths, but not J cloths, resulted in complete, or almost complete, removal of culturable or C.diff spores.”

“The data clearly demonstrates that when compared with J cloths, (Vikan) UMF cloths consistently remove a larger proportion of organisms responsible for HAIs from several intentionally contaminated surfaces, irrespective of organism type.”

Full details of the research paper can be purchased from Science Direct by clicking on this link