Do antibacterial wipes kill viruses? All you need to know

The demand for cleaning solutions such as antibacterial wet wipes has increased recently, with the release of Covid-19. These wipes clean dirt and bacteria from many surfaces while protecting our health. But you wonder “Do antibacterial wipes kill viruses?”. In this article, we will provide you important information relating to antibacterial wipes.

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1. What are antibacterial wipes? Uses of antibacterial wipes

Antibacterial wipes are soaps or cleaning pads impregnated with an antimicrobial agent, such as. They kill bacteria and other microbes on hard surfaces that are also “high-touch,” such as television remote controls, doorknobs, phones and countertops.

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2. Do antibacterial wipes kill viruses?

Antibacterial wipes are designed to clean hands and other surfaces, but do antibacterial wipes kill viruses? The answer is no. Let’s examine two characteristics of antibacterial wipes in order to better understand why they don’t work.

2.1 Contact time

Antibacterial wipes must be used after the proper contact time for them to function well and get rid of germs. The success or failure of how thoroughly a surface is disinfected is greatly influenced by contact times.

A disinfectant must be moist on a surface for a certain amount of time called a contact time in order to effectively destroy any germs or viruses. Depending on the germs and viruses that the treatment claims to remove, this can vary between products and can take anywhere from 15 seconds to 30 minutes.

2.2 Chemicals

When talking about antibacterial wipes, it’s important to note that not all antibacterial wipes have chemicals that can kill both bacteria and viruses. For instance, some wipes may only be approved to kill bacteria and not viruses because they are manufactured entirely of benzalkonium chloride.

Disinfectants must eradicate all bacteria, fungus, and viruses. They will therefore contain much more substances and be harsher. Because of this, there are tight guidelines governing what qualifies as a disinfectant and a sanitizer. And this is why cleaning wipes should not be used for:

• food preparation facilities
• paper towels
• infant wipes

Read more: Are antibacterial wipes safe? | How to use them correctly

3. Do antibacterial wipes kill coronavirus?

The quick response is, “Maybe,” but they shouldn’t be used as a person’s sole line of protection. In an emergency, hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipes can be used in place of handwashing. However, they won’t completely eradicate all infections due to contact time and chemicals.

4. Can I use antibacterial wipes for hands?

Yes. But always read the label on the package first. If the wipes are labeled antibacterial or sanitizing, they are safe to use. However, if they are labeled “antibacterial AND disinfecting,” they should not be used on human skin because they contain ingredients that strip away the skin’s natural oils and “good” bacteria. Rashes, itchiness, and swelling are common side effects of taking too much acetaminophen. 

5. How to use antibacterial hand wipes safely

How do antibacterials kill bacteria? In order for antibacterial wipes products to be effective at eliminating bacteria and viruses, you need to know how to use them properly. They are eaten with the skin of the hands, but if not used properly, they will become superfluous. Here’s how to get the most out of your antibacterial wipes.

Verify FDA acceptance

The FDA, often known as the Food and Drug Administration, controls antibacterial hand wipes. This is necessary because they must be secure enough to be applied to human skin or hands. Remember that antibacterial wipes aren’t intended for use on delicate materials like clothing.

Read the guidelines

The instructions for the majority of hand sanitizer wipes are the same, but it’s advisable to err on the side of caution. For cautions and ingredients, consult the dispenser’s instructions. Search for terms that mean “disinfect.” This indicates that using such wipes to sanitize hands is not safe.

Completely sanitize both hands

Use the antibacterial hand wipes to scrub each hand thoroughly. For optimal results, wipe the front and back, between the fingers, and beneath the fingernails.

Note for surfaces

•  If the surface is too dirty (too much dust), it may interfere with the antibacterial and disinfecting agents from working. Need to clean the surface before using antibacterial wipes
• Studies have shown that wipes can work best on an area of 1-2 square meters if the surface is wet for long enough. So it’s best to keep using new wipes for different surfaces

Preservation is extremely essential

There are a few easy things you can do to prevent your wipes from losing moisture, such as storing them properly by keeping them in an appropriate storage area and making sure the lid is properly sealed to prevent the wipes from being exposed to open air.

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6. EN standard for antibacterial wipes

• BS EN 1276 is the European standard for the bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants as proof of effective infection control against dangerous  microorganisms such as MRSA, Salmonella, E.Coli, the H1N1 influenza virus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. After being assessed by an independent laboratory, products must show a bacteria kill rate of 99.999% within 5 minutes in order to pass this requirement.
• EN 14476 is a European standard which signifies the product has undergone testing to determine the virucidal efficacy of chemical disinfectants used in the medical field. The product must pass tests to prove that it kills the poliovirus type 1, adenovirus type 5, and murine norovirus in order to meet this requirement. This is due to the fact that certain viruses are more resistant to disinfectants; hence, when a disinfectant is successful against them, it can be assumed to be effective against any untested virus, including coronavirus.
• The EN 1500 is a European Standard test method that determines if a handrub is effective by counting the number of live bacteria that are still present on the fingertips following contamination and exposure to the handrub. A handrub, such as hand sanitizer gel or the liquid in hand sanitizer wipes, is a therapy that includes massaging the hands without the use of water. The settings for determining whether a hygienic hand rub reduces the release of transitory flora from the hands are particularly simulated by this procedure.

Do antibacterial wipes kill viruses? As mentioned in the discussion, not all antibacterial wipes have different ingredients and how they work. Besides the usual ones, there are still antibacterial wipes that kill viruses. However, it is important to note that you need to choose the right product for the intended use, specifically check the certifications listed on the package carefully. If you want to be consulted with any questions, please contact DHTI immediately for timely support.

Dong Hiep Trading and Investment Joint Stock Company: 

• Representative office: 69B Thuy Khue, Thuy Khue Ward, Tay Ho District, Ha Noi City.
• Manufacturing site: Lot CN7, Tu Liem Industrial Cluster, Minh Khai Ward, Bac Tu Liem District, Ha Noi City.
• Hotline: (84-24) 3716 0270.
• Website: https://dhti.vn/

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