Study Reveals “Wet Wipes” Spread Superbugs

For most people, disinfectant wipes are a convenient way to clean up where soap and water would make a mess, or are otherwise unavailable. But a new study out of the UK has shown that the detergent based wet wipes recommended for use in hospitals, may in fact spread various superbugs, instead of killing them.

The study tested 7 different commercial brands on three different infectious diseases, including Staphylococcus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile diarrhoea, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Altogether, these pathogens have been known to cause the most infections in hospitals. The researchers used the wipes on three different hospital surfaces by wiping them for 10 seconds each.

The researchers ultimately found that the wipe’s effectiveness was “inconsistent” at best, and often succeeded in spreading the pathogens. The Cardiff University Professor in charge of the study noted “This is the first report on the effectiveness of the most used detergent wipes in hospitals and what we’ve found is that in all too many cases they are not up to the job, with results showing huge variability” he added “Our tests show that although the detergent wipes succeed in removing superbugs, they immediately transfer them when the wipe is used on a different surface.”