Children touch everything! From school bus railings, to doorknobs, to desks, and everywhere in between, the number of high-contact surfaces children encounter daily is extremely high. That’s why it’s critical to keep these surfaces clean and disinfected to limit the spread of bacteria. While this may seem like a daunting task, the right tools and training can help! Read on for what you need to know to keep your classrooms clean.
Bacteria is everywhere!
A recent study of educational facilities found 2.7 million bacterial cells per square inch on common school surfaces!* These illness-causing bacteria can live on surfaces for hours or even days. To limit the spread of bacteria, it’s critical to break the chain of transmission between surfaces. Here are a few key ways to help break the chain:
Promote Effective Hand Hygiene
Proper hand hygiene is one of the best ways to limit the spread of bacteria. When children touch surfaces with bacteria and then effectively practice hand hygiene, it stops the bacteria from spreading to other surfaces. Ensure students have access to soap and water or hand sanitizer and know how to use these tools effectively.
Use Surface Disinfectants as Instructed
Surface disinfectants, like pre-saturated wipes, are a great tool to have in the classroom but are only effective when used correctly. Always read the manufacturer’s label for important information like instructions for safe use and the product’s dwell/contact time, which is how long it needs to stay wet on a surface to achieve its kill claim. Also, surface disinfectants are most effective when applied as an even layer on surfaces. Pre-saturated wipes allow users to do this easily, without the guess work that comes with trigger sprayers.
Opt for Long-Lasting Coverage
In classrooms, it’s nearly impossible to disinfect surfaces between touches. One study found that in order to kill 99.9% of bacteria over 24 hours, high-touch surfaces would need to be wiped at least 100 times with traditional non-residual wipes.* Choosing products that will protect surfaces throughout the day is critical to keeping facilities safe and healthy. Residual antimicrobials can help! These microbials kill on contact and create an active coating on surfaces that continues to kill pathogens for up to 24 hours, even after multiple touches. To learn more about residual antimicrobials, read this detailed whitepaper.*
Keeping Surfaces Safe with Scott® 24 Hour Sanitizing Wipes
Scott® 24 Hour Sanitizing Wipes* have been named the winner of the 2021 World of Wipes (WOW) Innovation Award. These wipes are the first pre-saturated wipe to create a 24-hour protective barrier against 99.9% of bacteria and cold and flu viruses, even after multiple touches. These wipes are bleach-free and don’t require rinsing.
To learn more about the Scott® 24 Hour Sanitizing Wipes, watch this video.
* If you require a more accessible version of this guide, please contact us and we’d be happy to help.
