Are Sani-Cloth® AF Wipes Antibacterial?
When it comes to cleaning products, we hear many terms being thrown around. ‘Detergent’, ‘disinfectant’, ‘sanitiser’, ‘antibacterial’—they all have subtly different meanings. When looking for a good cleaning product that will cut through the cycle of infection, you might find yourself using these terms in your search.
Sani-Cloth® AF wipes (formerly known as PDI Sani-Cloth Universal Wipes) are an excellent, multipurpose type of cleaning product. So are they antibacterial? Let’s take a look.
If you’re just discovering Sani-Cloth® AF wipes and want to know more about where you can use them, take a look at the articles in our blog.
What does ‘antibacterial’ mean?
The term ‘antibacterial’ is defined as an action, process, or agent that destroys bacteria and acts as a suppressant, slowing or stopping their reproduction ability. Many cleaning products contact chemicals with antibacterial properties that destroy bacteria cells. Similarly, some processes can be considered antibacterial. For example, treating something with heat will kill bacteria cells.
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How do Sani-Cloth® AF wipes destroy bacteria?
When it comes to antibacterial chemicals, it’s all about breaking down the cell membrane to kill the cell effectively. Once a cell’s protective membrane is compromised, the cell loses its’ structure, and the key components (the ‘organs’ if you compare a cell to a body) cannot survive and dissolve.
Sani-Cloth® AF wipes generally contain one of two active ingredients: alcohol or quaternary ammonium.
How Alcohol-Based Antibacterial Agents Work
The process by which alcohol destroys a bacteria cell is called denaturation. Alcohol molecules are amphipathic, meaning they have fat-soluble lipophilic and water-soluble hydrophilic properties. Bacteria cell membranes are made up of a fat-based and water-based side which means that alcohol molecules can bond to both and break down the walls of the cell.
How Quaternary Ammonium-Based Antibacterial Agents Work
Quats also kill bacteria cells by the process of denaturation. Quat compounds are cationic ions meaning they are positively charged. When quats bond with the negatively charged outer membranes of bacteria cells, they break the cell walls down, causing the vital components inside to stop functioning, leak out, and dissolve.
These antibacterial properties make Sani-Cloth® AF wipes excellent tools for cleaning and disinfecting non-porous surfaces, allowing the solution to come into contact with bacteria present, killing the cells in a matter of seconds.
That said, Sani-Cloth® AF wipes are not corrosive to materials like metal, plastic, rubber, or skin, which means they can be used in a variety of settings. Find out about how safe Sani-Cloth® AF wipes are and whether they can be used to clean skin.
PDI Sani-Cloth® AF Wipes are antibacterial disinfectant wipes pre-dosed with a quaternary ammonium solution. They have a broad spectrum, fast contact kill capability and can break down a range of common bacteria.
PDI Sani-Cloth® AF Wipes have been tested using the EN 16615 4 and EN 13727 testing methods to be effective against the following:
| Type of bacteria | Contact Time |
|---|---|
| Enterococcus hirae | 60 seconds |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 60 seconds |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 60 seconds |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 30 seconds |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 30 seconds |
| Enterococcus hirae | 30 seconds |
The wipes are also effective against enveloped and non-enveloped viruses (coronavirus strains include the strain that causes Covid-19), TB, and types of fungi.
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