Wiping cloth material choice significantly impacts the bactericidal efficacy of select disinfectant chemistries in environmental surface decontamination.

Abstract

Background: Manual surface wiping, a primary method in preventing hospital-acquired infections, varies significantly in its ability to eliminate bacteria and prevent cross-contamination.

Methods: Four liquid-based cleaning and disinfecting formulations (hydrogen peroxide, ethoxylated alcohol, quaternary ammonium compounds (Quat and Quat2), and a water-based control) were evaluated for their bactericidal efficacy in combination with 3 different wiping materials: microfiber, polypropylene, and cotton. Each chemistry and wipe combination were evaluated for its ability to reduce microbial contamination on a hard, nonporous surface measuring 1 m. The bactericidal efficacy of each pairing was tested against 2 bacterial strains, Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442).

Results: Wipes containing hydrogen peroxide exhibited the highest bactericidal efficacy among tested formulations, transferring the least bacteria across test surfaces. Polypropylene wipes consistently outperformed cotton, removing a greater proportion of bacteria from the inoculation site and transferring fewer to secondary areas. Wipes impregnated with ethoxylated alcohol, Quat, and Quat2 retained viable bacteria on the wipe, contributing to increased cross-contamination to other surfaces.

Conclusions: Wiping material choice impacted the bactericidal efficacy of liquid chemistries in surface decontamination, underscoring the need to select effective material-chemistry combinations to reduce viable bacteria and limit cross-contamination.