COVID-19 has made people more mindful about cleaning and proper hygiene. In fact, in the early days of the pandemic when there was little information about the virus, people even disinfected their groceries. It was, admittedly, a little extreme but most wanted to err on the side of caution.
Later on, studies showed that the novel coronavirus was primarily spread through the airborne transmission of respiratory droplets. As such, it became even more important to properly wear appropriate masks or face coverings when in public settings to minimise the risk of spreading or getting exposed. Aside from this, medical professionals and researchers alike continue to emphasise that the most important thing to do to protect one’s self from COVID is to practise good hand-washing habits.
Still, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t clean surfaces anymore. While COVID-19 infection through contaminated surfaces remains low, this doesn’t mean that the risk is zero—anyone can be just one viral load away from contracting the disease. What’s more, other diseases can still be transmitted through fomites.
This is why disinfectant wipes are a must-have for the home and office. Indeed, even professional cleaning companies stock up on them for various purposes. These include disinfecting high-touch surfaces, as well as removing minor stains.
If you still aren’t convinced, below are a few more reasons why you should always have disinfectant wipes handy:
They Can Kill Viruses, Bacteria, and Fungi
The right disinfectant wipes can kill a wide variety of viruses, bacteria, and fungi on hard, nonporous surfaces. Do note that there are different active ingredients used by different manufacturers, so make sure to read the labels so you know you have the correct product.
For example, if the label says that the wipes have benzalkonium chloride, then they can only kill bacteria. Meanwhile, those that have quaternary ammonium or sodium hypochlorite are able to kill viruses. Due to the pandemic, disinfectant wipes that are capable of killing the COVID-19 virus are also labelled accordingly. Look for these products if you want to supplement your home or office’s COVID-prevention measures.
For maximum effectiveness, make sure to follow the usage instructions to the letter. Usually, the surface has to remain wet for about 4 to 5 minutes for the disinfectant to work. Disinfectant wipes also work best if you pre-clean the surface first. This way, the active ingredients will be in contact with the surface being disinfected and not the dirt on top.
They’re Great for Follow-Up Cleaning
If you miss a spot or two while cleaning up, it can be a hassle to bring out your tools and supplies again. On the other hand, if you have disinfectant wipes ready to go, then all you have to do is pull out a sheet or two and you’re all set.
What’s even better is that disinfectant wipes are generally safe on most nonporous surfaces. Unless there’s specific instruction on the label, you can assume that you can use the wipe on glass, plastic, metal, as well as sealed or treated wood.
They Can Be Used to Clean Your Hands
As previously mentioned, it’s crucial to wash your hands properly to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. However, there are times when this is impossible (i.e., there is no access to soap and clean water). During these situations, you can use wipes to quickly but effectively sanitise your hands.
Do note that wipes meant for cleaning your hands are labelled “sanitising” or “antibacterial” instead of “disinfectant.” You can still use the latter for your hands, but the active ingredient may be too harsh for sensitive skin. On the other hand, sanitising or antibacterial wipes may not be sufficient for your cleaning purposes. Make sure to choose the right product for your needs.
They’re Accessible and Affordable
What’s great about disinfectant wipes is that you can easily find and purchase them at most retailers including Countdown, New World, as well as Pak n Save. What’s more, they’re also inexpensive. One pack of 40 to 45 wipes cost less than $5; if you buy bigger packs or in bulk, you may even get bigger discounts!
They Smell Good
Last but not least, disinfectant wipes leave behind a pleasant smell. Unlike traditional cleaning supplies that leave your home or office smelling harshly of chemicals, disinfectant wipes have scents like lemon, lavender, mint, or even freshly laundered clothes.
In addition, many of these scents can be produced using natural ingredients; thus, if anyone in your home or workplace has any sensitivities, you can easily find products that are hypoallergenic.
As a final note, it’s important to realise that it’s highly likely that COVID is here to stay. In fact, some experts say that it can become a seasonal illness like the flu. Fortunately, keeping things clean and practising good hygiene, along with a healthy lifestyle, can help curb the spread of disease. With disinfectant wipes, the first two are so much easier to achieve.
Additional references:
Do Disinfecting Wipes Kill COVID-19? – Cleveland Clinic
Mistakes You're Making With Antibacterial Wipes (medicinenet.com)