Disinfectant Wipes

Keeping a clean and sterile workplace is a constant priority for industries and businesses of all sizes. High-touch surfaces facilitate disease spread as one person leaves behind pathogens and the next person picks them up. In crowded spaces, pathogens have plenty of opportunities to find new hosts. Limiting the spread of viral diseases has become a greater concern since the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and maintaining high cleaning and disinfecting standards is always crucial.

You can promote a healthier, safer environment by purchasing bulk antibacterial wipes and using them often on high-touch surfaces. Virucidal disinfectant wipes are the perfect solution for keeping up with health and safety standards. They help kill disease-causing pathogens, curbing their spread and reducing rates of infection. They’re also easy to use and allow for safe, quick disposal. All industries should maintain a stockpile of ready-to-use disinfectant wipes. Learn how to choose the best Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered wipes for your unique application.

What Are List N Disinfectant Wipes?

To ensure the quality of disinfectant products, the EPA has regulated testing and classification criteria. This uniformity is important, as it holds all disinfectant products against the same standards. Otherwise, manufacturers could make claims based on their own testing, which may or may not include rigorous qualifications. The EPA offers consumers assurance their disinfectant products will be effective against the COVID-19 virus and other pathogens.

The EPA has approved specific disinfectants for killing the COVID-19 virus, also called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). These products are all included on the EPA’s List N. Each product on this list has undergone laboratory testing and met EPA standards for approval. It’s important to note the EPA does not endorse these products but recommends them for use against the COVID-19 virus. The EPA updates List N often, including new disinfectant products. Not all effective disinfectant products have yet made the list — only those that have undergone EPA-approved testing are included.

What Does the Laboratory Testing Entail?

Consumers should understand how a product qualifies for List N. In a laboratory setting, germicidal disposable wipes have to demonstrate the ability to kill the COVID-19 virus, as well as a similar virus or a stronger pathogen. It’s important to note that some viruses are harder to kill than others. This has to do with a virus’s genetic material.

Viruses are not living things but strict parasites, meaning they can only reproduce within a host. All viruses have a protein shell called a capsid, and some have an additional layer on top of the capsid. Those with this second protective layer are “enveloped” viruses. They have an easier time evading immune system detection. The COVID-19 virus is an example of an enveloped virus. Other enveloped viruses have caused some of the worst widespread human diseases, including influenza, Hepatitis B and C and the Ebola virus.

Since enveloped viruses are better disguised and protected, they’re often harder to kill. The EPA testing standards require disinfectants to demonstrate efficacy against these difficult-to-kill pathogens. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol wipes should contain at least 70% isopropyl alcohol to keep a surface sterile and clean.

What Is the Difference Between Cleaning, Disinfecting and Sanitizing?

Though you may consider the terms interchangeable, cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing are not the same. It’s critical to recognize the difference to ensure you purchase the right products for your purposes:

Cleaning

Cleaning involves removing visible dirt, dust or crumbs from objects’ surfaces. Most often, you’ll use soap and water to clean. Cleaning serves primarily visual purposes — it makes a surface look neat and tidy. It does not always kill the surface’s microscopic pathogens. However, cleaning is still important because it removes pathogen-attracting substances and helps reduce the number of germs in an area. It can also weaken or damage the germs, reducing the risk of infection.

Disinfecting

Disinfecting involves using chemicals to kill the microscopic pathogens on a surface. It does not always involve cleaning the surface or removing the germs. In most cases, a disinfectant has to sit on a surface for a certain amount of time to be effective. List N only includes disinfectants, excluding sanitizer-only products. This is because disinfectants must meet higher EPA testing standards for effectiveness. Many products qualify as both sanitizers and disinfectants.

Sanitizing

Sanitizing involves decreasing the number of pathogens to an acceptable, safe level. Either cleaning or disinfecting can suffice as sanitizing, depending on the level of germs and the products’ effectiveness. A safe level of pathogens depends on the application — for instance, food service facilities have a lower level of acceptable germs than standard offices.

What Bacteria, Germs and Viruses Do EPA-Approved Disinfectant Wipes Kill?

EPA-approved wipes should kill a wide variety of bacteria, germs and viruses. They also help inhibit mold and mildew growth. Most disinfectant wipes should be effective against the following pathogens:

• SARS-CoV-2
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
• Pseudomonas
• Salmonella
• Campylobacter
• Escherichia coli (E. coli)
• Staphylococcus aureus (Staph)

This is not a comprehensive list of the pathogens a disinfectant wipe should be able to kill. Instead, this list can give you an idea of what a disinfectant wipe is capable of. Keep in mind, most disinfectant wipe manufacturers recommend cleaning the visible dirt off of a surface before disinfecting. They also suggest various contact times, often at least one minute. Be sure to follow all the directions on the disinfectant wipe label.

Uses of Disposable Wipes

Disposable disinfectant wipes are useful in a wide range of settings. Many industries require the use of disinfectant wipes to maintain human health and safety. In a high-risk environment, the CDC recommends wearing disposable gloves and a suitable medical gown while using disinfectant wipes. Here are a few settings in which disinfectant wipes are necessary:

Disinfecting Wipes for Offices

Offices are havens for harmful viruses and bacteria. According to the National Institute of Health, the average office desk has 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat. When you also consider high-touch surfaces like door handles, light switches, countertops and elevator buttons, the numbers grow even higher.

Disinfectant wipes are a vital tool for keeping an office clean and safe. They’ll help kill viruses, bacteria and other harmful microbes. In an office setting, it’s important to disinfect each of the following areas:

• Desk surfaces
• Doorknobs
• Light switches
• Countertops
• Elevator buttons
• Computer keyboards
• Touch screens
• Handles

When disinfecting electronics, be sure to use wipes rather than sprays, as sprays might damage the technological components. Check wipe labels to ensure they’re safe to use on electronic devices. Keeping an office clean and disinfected can limit the spread of diseases, supporting employee safety and productivity.

Disinfecting Wipes for Classrooms

Classrooms are another environment in which disinfecting wipes are important. Students, especially young students, are not always conscious of their germ-spreading behaviors. They may not yet know to cover their mouths and noses when they sneeze or cough, and they may not always wash their hands when necessary. As a result, classrooms are often breeding grounds for germs.

The CDC recommends cleaning and disinfecting classrooms often, at least a few times per day. Be sure to disinfect high-touch surfaces, such as door handles and light switches, as well as shared objects, such as printers, books, keyboards and pencil sharpeners. It’s a good idea to disinfect objects at key moments throughout the school day — including before students arrive, between classes, after using shared objects and at the end of the day.

Disinfecting Wipes for Hospitals

Of course, disinfection is a priority in healthcare settings, including hospitals. Patients often require hospitalization due to infectious diseases. Some patients may have compromised immune systems, which makes the risk of contracting disease more dangerous. Hospital staff members have to work together to keep every surface as germ-free as possible. Having disinfectant wipes on hand is beneficial. Hospital-grade germicidal wipes help keep everyone safe, including doctors, nurses, patients and guests.

In a hospital setting, almost every surface and object needs disinfecting often. Healthcare professionals should always have access to hospital-grade disinfectant wipes to keep their equipment and surfaces germ-free. Healthcare alcohol wipes are a fundamental piece of inventory for any hospital or other healthcare facility.

Disinfecting Wipes for Food Service

Disinfecting is a top priority for any food service operation, as foodborne illnesses are a prevalent hazard. Food service sanitizing wipes help to keep employees and patrons safe. Only some disinfectant wipes are acceptable to use on food-contact surfaces. Some disinfectant chemicals are too dangerous to risk ingestion, so they’re not a safe choice for these surfaces. The EPA’s List N designates disinfectants that are safe as “food contact,” meaning you can use these products on:

• Cutting boards.
• Cooking utensils.
• Dishes.
• Countertops.
• Other food-contact areas.

You may need to rinse and dry these surfaces and objects after disinfecting. It’s important to read the disinfectant’s label to ensure proper, safe use. You should also disinfect all the high-touch areas you would in any other environment, including door handles, point-of-sale systems, hand railings and other surfaces.

Disinfecting Wipes for Industrial Use

Industrial environments also require disinfecting. Industrial equipment often includes several high-touch features, from grab bars and handles to monitors and buttons. Built-up dirt, oil, moisture or chemicals can provide the perfect setting for microbial life to thrive. This is why industrial antibacterial wipes are so essential.

Throughout your industrial facility, be sure to use disinfectant wipes on any high-touch areas or shared tools and objects. Contagions can cling onto these surfaces and infect nearby hosts, spreading diseases. Always use disinfectant wipes between tool or equipment use.

Disinfecting Wipes for Hotels

Disinfecting is also important for hotels and motels. Depending on its location and size, a hotel might host hundreds or thousands of different guests every day. High disinfectant standards are necessary to reduce disease spreading in these situations. Disposable wipes are useful for killing germs between guests and should be included on every cleaning cart.

Disinfecting Wipes for Gyms

Gyms include a lot of high-touch surfaces — many individuals touch the same equipment and other surfaces as they exercise. Viruses that spread through respiratory droplets, such as the COVID-19 virus, can spread at rapid speeds through gyms. This is because people tend to breathe harder while exercising, expelling greater numbers of respiratory droplets.

It’s important to disinfect fitness facilities often, focusing on handles, grab bars, railings, weights and any other shared equipment. Depending on how crowded a gym is and how much gymgoers use specific equipment, disinfection may be necessary several times a day. Gyms should always have disposable disinfectant wipes available.

Disinfecting Wipes for Airlines

Air travel is one of the main culprits for global disease spreading. Constant disinfecting is a necessity in these environments, perhaps more so than anywhere else. Pathogens on an airline’s high-touch surfaces can spread from one continent to another, leaving millions of people vulnerable. At least a few times per day, workers should disinfect all high-touch surfaces, such as railings, door handles and sink faucets.

Between boardings, someone should wipe down waiting area seats and, between flights, someone should wipe down all armrests, overhead handles and other shared surfaces. Each boarding station and each plane should have a collection of bulk sanitizer wipes on hand.

Disinfecting Wipes for Laundromats

Laundromats are another environment in which many people use the same handles, buttons, chairs and other objects. It’s important to disinfect these surfaces often using EPA-approved disinfectant wipes. Since some components are electronic, wipes are likely a safer choice than sprays. It’s a good idea to disinfect appliances after each use — you might even encourage patrons to disinfect their own appliances when finished with them.

Why Purchase Bulk Disinfectant Wipes From SUNLINE Supply?

Disinfectant wipes for businesses are an absolute necessity and will continue to be so after COVID-19 is no longer a concern. Using disinfectant wipes promotes the health and safety of employees, patrons and guests by curbing the spread of bacteria and viruses. Members of any industry should implement plans for daily cleaning and disinfecting.

If you’re looking for wholesale alcohol wipes, consider SUNLINE Supply. At SUNLINE Supply, we specialize in providing products and equipment for improved health and safety. We offer a wide selection of personal protective equipment (PPE) at wholesale prices, including nitrile gloves, hand sanitizer and EPA-certified disinfectant wipes. Our disinfectant wipes come in convenient packaging to encourage frequent use, and you can restock often with our reliable, fast shipping. Our international network includes multiple manufacturing partners, a massive product inventory and a streamlined supply chain to deliver alcohol wipes in any quantity.

Browse SUNLINE Supply PPE Products

Whether you are refilling your inventory or launching a new workplace health initiative, our team has you covered. At SUNLINE Supply, we provide competitive pricing and fast shipment on all orders. Thanks to our wide selection of affordable products, we make it easy to find the PPE and other items you need to promote a healthy, safe environment. With our FDA-certified PPE, you can be certain you’re using the most effective tools against dangerous pathogens.

SUNLINE Supply is your one-stop shop to buy bulk antibacterial wipes that meet CDC and EPA standards. Our inventory includes products from different manufacturers to give you a wide range of options, regardless of how many disinfecting wipes you need. Browse our online product selection to buy bulk antibacterial wipes today.