Latest news from Southern Maintenance Solutions UK Ltd

The Ultimate Defence Against Germs

15 December 2008

New from Solution UK Ltd, Cleanguard©, a unique and revolutionary cleaner incorporating long term ‘physical’ anti-microbial surface protection.

Product Description. Cleanguard© is a professional strength aqueous cleaner-sanitizer incorporating unique anti-microbial surface modifying technology, which permanently bonds to the surface or substrate.

Cleanguard forms an invisible protective and physical barrier, which kills bacteria upon contact! It effectively coats the surface with a microbiostatic finish resistant to bactericidal and virucidal contamination, whilst at the same time also protecting from unsightly discolouration and deterioration caused by mould and mildew.

This bond is very strong and can only be removed by ‘abrasive’ action. Cleanguard© can be used as a daily cleaner to restore this unique protection on areas subjected to wear and abrasion. Cleanguard© is fast, easy and safe to use. As a cleaner it cuts through grease, grime and heavy soiling easily, removes tough stains and breaks down odours at source. Ingrained dirt and heavily contaminated areas including that of blood, urine and other bodily fluids are quickly and safely removed leaving surfaces hygienically clean…even under testing conditions.

Cleanguard© offers a superior level of cleaning whilst delivering a broad-spectrum kill, and has been tested to BS EN 1276 and BS EN 13704. This unique antimicrobial cleaning solution is a revolutionary alternative to conventional sanitizers, disinfectants, bleaches and biocides. No other product in the market can offer the same level of performance, or long-term surface protection. This new technology ensures the surface is left hygienically clean, and unlike competitors products, offers a ‘physical kill’ rather than by the traditional method of poisoning microbes.

Surfaces treated with the Cleanguard© antimicrobial remain active for extended periods of time, challenging conventional anti-infective agents to combat the worldwide emergent of antimicrobial resistance bacteria. Cleanguard© as a finished formulated product can be used on almost any surface or material, including natural and man made; it is safe to use, safe in storage, reduces health & safety risks and requires no hazardous warnings on the label. It is fully biodegradable and environmentally safe. The Cleanguard© is unique and safe; its long-term residual antimicrobial effect restricts bacteria from re-colonising a surface.

Along with its exceptional cleaning and deodorising ability, some of the differences are in its chemical nature, effectiveness, durability and safety. This synergistic blend of technologies has a unique advantage over all previously known methods and applications: the antimicrobial component is bonded to the substrate surface. Microorganisms are then destroyed by simple contact with the surface. Since it does not dissipate, it minimizes or eliminates the potential for microorganisms to adapt, build up tolerance, or become resistant.

What makes Cleanguard different?

During the cleaning and treatment process Cleanguard© chemically bonds to, and literally becomes part of, the application surface. Since the antimicrobial is not absorbed by organisms, but remains a part of each application surface, it, in effect, transforms conventional surfaces and materials into active antimicrobial surfaces. These surfaces will remain effective for extended periods, which will result in a significant reduction of many infections.

It is also an exceptional cleaner; it offers the highest level of cleaning in any environment. Its ability to penetrate porous surfaces, including concrete enables it to tackle the most dirty environments such as toilets, bodily fluids such as blood and urine contamination. All are dealt with quickly and easily in a safe manner. Even the most stubborn stains on non-slip safety flooring are no longer a problem. Cleanguard© can be used on almost any washable surface, or material including carpets, upholstery and soiled linen.

Cleanguard© provides a broad-spectrum kill even when used in testing and dirty conditions. Unlimited applications for this brilliant technology… It is the only one of its kind! Another unique feature is that treated areas can be confirmed with the use of a "monitor" fluid unique to the product. These areas show under UV light to provide proof of application. This is a technological breakthrough and is the first to offer a “real” on-site test that does not disrupt or deface the treated surface.

How will this product contribute to reducing hospital acquired infections?

Cleaning is always going to be the critical ingredient in maintaining a healthy building. When contaminants are removed or minimised through cleaning, human exposure and risks are reduced. Cleanguard© is an exceptional cleaner, thereby lifting more soil into suspension ready for easy removal leaving surfaces hygienically clean. It has a broad spectrum kill offering unequalled safety from infection, not just from C.diff or MRSA but also mould, fungus and the defacement caused by mildew, particularly in bathrooms and around shower stalls.

The antimicrobial technology offers long-term, unprecedented protection from airborne bacteria and cross-contamination. Organisms are killed whenever contact is made with treated surfaces or materials preventing bacteria from re-colonising a surface. The technology does not leach, or migrate and is non-sensitising thereby allowing it to be used in sensitive areas and high dependency hospital wards. Microorganisms are unable to adapt, mutate or build resistance and therefore eliminate the development of drug resistant bacteria.

Why is this product more effective in reducing healthcare associated infection than other similar class of products?

Cleanguard© possesses unique features using a synergistic blend of the most effective biocides available, together with an antimicrobial technology that works by means of a physical kill. By contrast, all other antimicrobials, sanitizers and disinfectants are designed to diffuse and be absorbed. Once absorbed, they act by poisoning the microorganisms or causing fatal mutations. However, as they diffuse, they lose strength and adaptation can and usually does occur. Its cleaning and infection control are unparalleled thereby maintaining the highest standards in cleaning and hygiene management. The antimicrobial agent does not dissipate, migrate or volatilise thereby maintains its working strength preventing microbial resistance.

Cleanguard© is the only cleaner/sanitizer to incorporate this technology. What is the mechanism of action? For the most part, there are concentrated areas on the cell surface that are highly anionic (negatively charged), Cleanguard© is positively charged and so is attracted to the cell wall or membrane. This ionic interaction is sufficient to pull a long hydrocarbon chain (C18) of the molecule through the cell wall or membrane.

Cell lysis ensues (Disruption of the cell wall, membrane resulting in cell death). This property makes the technology unique since the molecule does not lend itself to microbial adaptation (ability of microbes to develop drug or antimicrobial resistance).

Rational for this is lack of target specificity on the cell wall. The above description refers to the microbiocidal action arising from the presence of a quaternary ammonium cationic function; intrinsic to the unique properties of this product is the binding capacity conferred on the active molecule through the trimethoxylsilyl moiety. This latter function enters into reaction with any hydroxylic or other nucleophilic entity on the substrate surface whereby the molecule becomes covalently bound to that surface.

You now have an alternative, so can you afford not to use new Cleanguard© from Solution UK Ltd. Cleanguard© is suitable for use as a daily cleaner and is safe and easy to use. It is classified as non-hazardous for supply. It is suitable for use in all environments where bacterial control is critical.