Hand wipes are frequently used in hospitals and doctor’s offices to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses. They are also popular outside the medical community, with parents using them for young children and restaurants providing them for diners. However, they do not replace proper hand washing and decontamination.
Many hospitals and doctor’s offices strongly encourage the frequent use of special paper towels soaked in a mild detergent or antibacterial solution. These paper towels are known as hand wipes and are especially welcome whenever working with contagious or infected patients. Hand wipes should kill enough bacteria and remove enough contaminants to prevent transfers between patients and visitors. Hand wipes can also be used to clean a person’s hands after handling dirty or unsterilized medical equipment as well.
However, the use of hand wipes does not completely replace the need for proper hand washing and decontamination. Visitors to a patient’s room may use disposable wipes before touching the patient or handling their food. At the end of the visit, visitors should once again use hand wipes to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria or viruses. Medical professionals will also use hand wipes after handling trays of food or waste materials.
Hand wipes are also popular outside the medical community. Many parents carry waterless wipes with them to clean the hands of very young children, especially if a proper toilet is not immediately available. Waterless hand wipes contain a mild cleansing solution, chemical fragrance, and a fluid with a fast evaporation rate, such as denatured alcohol or a glycol-containing product. Once the package is opened, the solution on the wipes immediately begins to evaporate, meaning there is no need to rinse.
Because these hand towels can dry quickly when exposed to air, they are typically packaged in plastic dispensers with airtight lids or in single-use packages lined with foil. Some hand wipes are designed to allow one sheet to be dispensed while another sheet is drawn to take its place, much like pop-up tissue dispensers.
Diners ordering some greasy or fried entrees like fried chicken or grilled ribs can also find hand wipes on their plates. These so-called “wet naps” allow diners to wipe off any sticky or greasy residue from their fingers immediately after eating, making a formal trip to the bathroom unnecessary. These hand wipes also use a waterless cleaning solution, which evaporates to leave a pleasant scent on the user’s hands.
Some grocery stores and other outlets may also present disposable wipes to their customers as they enter the building. These wipes can be used to sanitize the handle and child seat of a shopping cart or to clean any potential contaminants picked up while shopping. Hand wipes are also found in many classrooms, where communicable diseases and other biological hazards are common. Both students and faculty are encouraged to use antibacterial hand wipes after playing with common toys or visiting the bathroom.
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