Microfiber and steam for environmental cleaning during an outbreak.

Faced with a norovirus-gastroenteritis outbreak, a 229-bed hospital in Australia compared two approaches to cleaning and disinfecting in Ward C and D respectively:

1. Ward C used conventional cleaning and disinfecting with detergent followed by bleach.

2. Ward D used steam vapor with microfiber cloths and mops.

Researchers concluded: “Environmental cleaning using the microfiber [and] steam technology proved to be an effective and efficient cleaning methodology, appropriate for use during an outbreak situation.”

(American Journal of Infection Control, May 20, 2013)

Read the full report.

[Editor’s note: steam vapor is a chemical-free approach that eliminates exposure to chemicals otherwise used for cleaning and disinfecting in this setting.]