Dry Healthcare Wipes Guide
IPS Converters is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of wipes for the healthcare environment.
In this guide we provide more information about the range of dry healthcare wipes on offer and how they can be used.
What are dry wipes?
Dry wipes are cleansing products often used in healthcare environments like hospitals, nurseries, care homes and other places where it is important to maintain good hygienic standards.
As the name suggests, dry wipes are manufactured without any added cleaning solution – unlike wet wipes which come pre-saturated.
Different types of dry wipe have different properties, but they all tend to be strong, soft and absorbent. This means that they can be used for a range of different purposes including drying, wiping surfaces, cleaning patients and more.
How to use dry wipes
Because they are not pre-saturated with cleaning solution, dry wipes are incredibly flexible, versatile tools for maintaining a hygienic, healthy environment.
In a dry state, they can be used for drying up wet messes and drying patients. The absorbent fibre towels can also be used with different cleaning formulas to clean a variety of surfaces and patients.
To prevent cross-contamination between patients and surfaces, dry wipes should be disposed of after cleaning one area or patient.
Disposable vs reusable dry wipes
Strong evidence suggests that contaminated equipment and surfaces contribute to the transmission of pathogens, which can spread rapidly to vulnerable patients.
In the past, it was normal to see reusable cloths used on hospital wards and in other healthcare environments. These dry cloths would be laundered after each use, supposedly to remove contaminants and prevent infection.
But recent studies have shown that these reusable cloths can be ineffective and dangerous.
One study showed that rather than wiping away germs, these reusable cloths could actually be spreading them. Other studies have concluded that healthcare laundering practices are insufficient to get rid of contaminants and that cotton towels should not be used in healthcare environments because they reduce the effectiveness of disinfectant cleaning products.
If they are used correctly, disposable dry wipes are better at controlling infection, because they are thrown away after each use.
What are nonwoven healthcare wipes?
Nonwoven wipes are wipes manufactured from fibres that have been bonded together mechanically, thermally or chemically rather than fibres that are woven together.
Woven or knitted cloths was the industry norm. These cloths were strong and absorbent, but the woven bonds created safe spaces for germs to lurk.
Nonwoven wipes have a number of advantages over woven wipes. As well as being economical, most nonwoven wipes are also highly absorbent, strong and low linting.
Nonwoven healthcare wipes provide the performance and feel of a textile flannel, with the hygiene benefits of high-performance disposable wipes.
Dry Wipe Cost
In healthcare settings, cost is not usually a more immediate priority than effective infection control. But healthcare procurement groups are understandably concerned about the cost of renewables like disposable wipes.
Hizorb Patient Wipes are an economical choice, but they are strong and absorbent enough to use in clinical environments.
Environmental Impact of Dry Wipes
Growing environmental consciousness is driving a consumer trend away from single-use disposable products like plastic water bottles and domestic wet wipes.
To ensure effective infection control, some dry disposable healthcare wipes are thrown out after a single use. There are more environmentally friendly disposable wipes, however including Hizorb Airlaid Wipes. These products are suitable for disposal in a macerator, which reduce the risk of cross-infection while also reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill.
