The British company LTC Worldwide states in a recent publication that in the past five years a change has occurred in the cleaning and control of this textile. Instead of starting from “feedforward control” with the use of thermal disinfection, more feedback control is applied in which it is determined whether disinfection has actually been achieved. This gives textile service companies more room to apply other processes and low (er) temperatures. A method that has been applied for a long time within the Certex® quality management system with the “final product control hygiene” and the requirements set for this. The article also points out the risks when it comes to washing up uniforms at home.
Stains of nutrient medium
Most stains in this workwear contain proteins and/or plant material that form a breeding ground for micro-organisms that come into contact with the textile during the transfer of the textile to the user or storage in the clothing locker. In order to prevent this, the nutrient medium, ie the stain, must be effectively removed.This naturally requires optimum processes with the right chemicals and effective control over the effectiveness of the cleaning process. According to the publication t hermitages cal disinfection through a washing process at 71 o for three minutes effective for removal of bacteria and viruses except spore-forming bacteria.Thermal killing of this is possible but difficult; often it is trusted to rinse and dilute the concentration of traces.
Preference certified professional cleaning
The publication indicates that even professional cleaning requires a lot of care, optimal processes and control. Cases that are self-evident within Certex®-certified companies, partly because Risk Analysis Biocontamination Control (EN 14065) is an integral part of the quality management system. The publication also shows that hygienic cleaning is not achieved in the home washing process. This requires a reorientation to the guidelines that apply within nursing homes and home care! Certainly with due regard for the reaction of experts to the above.
They state that thermal disinfection does not kill bacteria but only reduces them and that they survive in double-stitched parts. Both have the mangle and the tunnel finisher in itself no complete disinfectant and no sterilizing effect! Mirco-organisms always remain behind, which requires good cleaning; low-temperature washing requires washing processes with chemical/thermal disinfection using a CTGB 1 approved disinfectant. The chance that this is the case with home washing is considered very small ……!