Cleaning Chemicals: What standards should my chemicals be meeting for my care home?
As industry leading suppliers of care home equipment and chemicals, we often get asked: What standards should my chemicals meet? And what are these chemicals used for? Whilst these are questions that our team can answer at the office, below are some examples and key information to help you choose the best chemicals for your care home.
If by the end of this article, you are still unsure of the answer, don't hesitate to give our team a call on 01392 823233 and we will do our best to offer you our expert and professional advice.
BS EN Certified Cleaning Products
In a commercial environment it is important to use BS EN certified products to ensure the highest standards of infection control. BS EN certified products come in all sorts of different types including ready-to-use solutions in trigger sprays, or 5 litre containers through to concentrates and super-concentrates that are diluted before use.
It is important that the correct chemicals are used in the correct format with the correct dilution ratio (if it is a concentrate) to ensure maximum effectiveness of killing the germs. Some chemicals meet multiple standards so that the kill bacteria and viruses.
Some of the British standards include EN 1276, 14476, 13704, 1650, 14675. Each of these standards prove that products are tested against a different range of viruses and illnesses such as E. Coli, MRSA, flu, C. Difficile, and so many more.
What do the British Standards numbers mean?
There are many different British standards that apply across several industries. However, when it comes to chemicals there are two main ones to be aware of:
- BS EN 1276
- BS EN 14476
Firstly, lets look at BS EN 1267. This standard is proof that a product meets stringent requirements to kill bacteria. Whilst most household products kill up to 99.9% of bacteria, in order to be awarded this standard, a product must kill 99.999% of bacteria within 5 minutes of use (also known as contact time). BS EN 1276 is required for use on surfaces that are at risk of harbouring bacteria, such as a kitchen, to control and prevent cross contamination.
BS EN 14476, however, relates to killing a number of viruses including poliovirus, influenza, norovirus and adenovirus. This particular standard became more important with the Coronavirus, as a product that meets this standard will kill viruses. BS EN 14476 is required for use on surfaces that are likely to be harbouring viruses such as around a toilet in the bathroom.
What is contact time?
When using chemicals they often have a specified contact time on the label. You may wonder why this is, and what it means. Essentially it is the time that the chemical needs to be on the surface being cleaned in order for it to effectively kill the pathogens it is targeting. Some products that contain more than 70% alcohol will have a very short contact time, even as low as 15 seconds. Other products such as a spray for wiping surfaces, or even a surface wipe require the chemical to be on the surface for a longer length of time in order for it to be effective. So, for a product that requires a longer contact time it is important that surfaces are not wiped dry before the chemical has had a chance to work. If you do not adhere to the recommended contact time you are likely reducing the impact that the chemical has to kill germs.
Benefits and Uses
Chemicals in laundry detergents such as surfactants, helps to clean clothing in both hot and cold water, enabling care homes to save money and energy. What’s more, with high concentrated detergents, fewer packaging materials are used leading to less waste being generated.
Household cleaning products that contain anti-bacterial cleaners, help to remove dirt and soil from the surface. These products can also kill germs that may lead to an illness although they are not usually certified to the same stringent standards as commercial products.
Chlorinated cleaning products help to protect your staff and residents against the seasonal cold and flu as well as foodborne illnesses. By using this type of cleaning product, you can ensure a germ-free environment!
Cleaning solvents such as glycol ethers are highly effective and an active component of heavy-duty glass, floors, and other hard surface cleaning formulas. They benefit from good water compatibility, high solvency for grease and oil, and have good biodegradability.
Processes Chemicals Are Used For
There are three main types of processes when using chemicals which includes cleaning, disinfection, and sterilisation.
Cleaning is the process in which extraneous matter is removed physically from devices and services. The ‘golden rule’ of cleaning is to work from the cleanest to the dirtiest area as this will help prevent cross contamination. Using disinfectant and hot water is recommended to help get the best result when cleaning. During this, drying is essential to help reduce re-growth and spreading of bacteria.
Disinfection is the removal of micro-organisms on a device or surface. However, this process does not sterilise the surface, meaning you will need to follow up with an additional clean. If you require disinfection of medical equipment, this will need to be conducted by a trained member of staff. This is to ensure the correct concentrations are used. Using the incorrect concentration may render the disinfectant process ineffective.
The third process for chemicals is sterilisation. This helps render objects free from viable micro-organisms including bacterial spores and viruses. This is a highly reliable process as it keeps environments such as hospitals and nursing homes sterile in around 15 minutes.
Health and Safety
As you know, ensuring that you maintain excellent hygiene within your care home is highly important when it comes to protecting the resident’s health and wellbeing as well as your own. Each form of cleaning chemicals has its own directions for use, and it is highly advised that you follow these to prevent any health-related issues from occurring. Due to this, you are able to access up to date COSHH Safety Data Sheets for all our products and chemicals or contact us to compile them for you.
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
If you are using chemicals when cleaning, taking the correct protective precautions can help minimise any risks to your health and safety. PPE includes wearing gloves, eye protection, aprons, respirators, and more. We can supply you with a range of items to prevent serious health issues from the use of chemicals. However, PPE should not be used as a substitute for other hazard control methods. Conducting safer working procedures will also help prevent injuries to your staff, residents or damage to any personal items.
Storage
When it comes to storing chemicals, there are safety precautions that need to be taken. All chemicals should be locked away in a well-ventilated and cool cupboard for safe keeping and it is a good habit to ensure everything is organised according to the ‘use by’ date. By doing so, you can ensure that any older products are used first. Also, separating different forms of chemicals such as acids & alkalis and solids & liquids is an important step when it comes to protecting your staff and residents.
If you require the usage of flammable chemicals, it is highly advised that you keep the amount minimal and they are stored in a separate fire proof cabinet.
