With the winter flu and cough season in full swing and Covid 19 still rearing its ugly head, infection control is a critical issue for public sector procurement in all regions of the UK. With the country still grappling with the effects of the pandemic, practical ways of controlling the spread of infectious diseases have become more crucial than ever – and one of the front-line areas where infection control can often be improved is in the laundry rooms of hospitals, schools, and other public organisations.
One of the issues arises from the use of traditional laundry bags, which can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. In contrast, soluble laundry bags provide a more stringent level of public health protection, minimising contact between laundry operatives and potentially dangerous contaminants. In this article, we’ll explore five benefits of soluble laundry bags for infection control:
1. Convenient and hygienic:
Soluble laundry bags are easy-to-use and dispose of. They can simply be placed into a commercial washing machine without having to separate the laundry from the bag at the end of the wash. Soluble bags are typically made from a PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) film, which dissolves quickly and completely in water, leaving no residue on the laundry. The film on high quality bags is also resistant to punctures, tears, and leaks, making it a hygienic and efficient option for handling contaminated laundry, such as towels and bed linen.
2. No residues:
Traditional reusable laundry bags can leave behind fibres, dust, and other residues that can harbour bacteria and viruses – some of which can survive outside of the body for several days. Soluble laundry bags, on the other hand, dissolve completely in water, leaving no trace behind, reducing the risk of cross contamination and the spread of infection, and ensuring that your laundry items come out clean and free from any bag remnants!
3. Safe for septic systems:
Since they dissolve in water, soluble laundry bags are safe for septic systems, reducing the risk of the bags clogging pipes and filters and causing blockages or damage.
4. Environmentally friendly:
Many soluble laundry bags are made from biodegradable materials, designed to break down quickly in the wash without harming the environment. This makes them a sustainable procurement choice for public hospitals, care homes, and other public-facing facilities that need to handle contaminated laundry on a regular basis.
5. Cost-effective:
Soluble laundry bags are often considered more expensive than traditional non-soluble bags. However, investing in soluble laundry bags can save money for public organisations in the long run. For instance, traditional bags need to be disposed of separately, increasing the cost of managing contaminated laundry – as soluble bags eliminate the need for post-wash handling and processing, there are no costs involved for additional labour and disposal infrastructure.
Soluble bags for laundry from Slik Pak
If you’d like to find out more about water-soluble laundry bags for infection control, click here to see how we can help you today.
Image Source: Canva