Antimicrobial wipes fight bacteria, viruses and fungi

Specialty Fabrics Review | April 2010

Experts estimate that one of ten hospitalized patients acquires an infection, despite scrupulous cleaning and infection control measures in health-care facilities. A disinfecting wipe is effective only if its fibers are small enough to capture bacteria, blood-borne pathogens and other microscopic infectious agents. UMF Corp., Wilmette, Ill., has developed wipes with high-performance three-micron ultramicrofibers™—300 miles of cleaning surface per single cloth. PerfectClean® wipes, the only product that conforms to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for cleaning up blood-borne pathogens, now feature the added benefits of antimicrobial capacity.

The rechargeable antimicrobial polymer, Micrillon®, is embedded into the PerfectClean wipes. Its broad-spectrum antimicrobial technology is effective against bacteria, viruses and fungi. The wipes are recharged during laundering with chlorine bleach. The Micrillon attracts chlorine molecules and binds them to the wipe’s enormous surface area, providing a clean, recharged wipe that doesn’t have the strong odor of chlorine. Tests show that the wipe eliminates methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), H1N1 influenza virus, athlete’s foot fungus and other microbes within five minutes of use. The recharge capacity doesn’t decrease after use, “because as you abrade the fabric, it exposes more binding sites,” says UMF CEO and founder George Clarke.

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