Processed textiles for surface disinfection containing hydroxycarboxylic acids

Abstract

Processed textiles provided with an impregnating liquid, wherein the processed textiles are obtained by washing used textiles, the washing comprising only the partial removal of a washing liquid and the addition of at least one aqueous disinfectant concentrate and water to the used washed textiles, to obtain the processed textiles provided with the impregnating liquid, wherein the aqueous disinfectant concentrate comprises one or more hydroxycarboxylic acids with 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to reprocessed textiles such as cloths or mops, impregnated with an impregnation solution comprising water and at least one hydroxycarboxylic acid, and the use of the cloths or mops for disinfection, in particular of hard surfaces. A further disclosure relates to a process for reprocessing textiles that have previously been used for surface disinfection to produce reprocessed textiles impregnated with the above impregnation solution. Technical background

[0002] Surface disinfection plays a crucial role in healthcare for preventing infections. Disinfection is often carried out using textiles, such as floor mops or wipes for smaller surfaces, which are impregnated with a disinfectant solution. These textiles are typically sold ready-to-use and simply need to be removed from their packaging and applied by the user. However, hospitals, medical practices, and nursing homes, in particular, have a very high demand for mops or wipes for surface disinfection, making the use of reusable textiles essential.

[0003] The cloths and mops are prepared by washing them in a washing machine, subjecting them to a disinfection step to make them as germ-free as possible, then rinsing, spinning, and drying. The reprocessed, dried textiles are then soaked with the desired disinfectant immediately before use and are usually put to use on the same day.

[0004] The drying process serves to make the reprocessed mops and cloths more storable. Storing damp mops would lead to the multiplication of germs, for example from the rinse water or newly acquired from the environment, contaminating the damp textile. Drying is intended to prevent this. However, machine drying is very energy-intensive and therefore costly. The shelf life of machine-pre-moistened textiles is typically limited to a maximum of 72 hours.

[0005] Until now, disinfectants based on quaternary ammonium compounds (neutral / alkaline) have been used to impregnate washed and dried textiles. Quaternary ammonium compounds essentially behave like fabric softeners; they adhere to the textile fibers. It has long been known that QACs accumulate on cellulose-based fibers and reach the surface to be disinfected only in a reduced (and therefore less effective) form. This can also be observed with high-performance fibers used in professional cleaning (microfibers made of, for example, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene). Over their lifespan, these fibers accumulate increasing amounts of QACs in the fabric. Washing them out during processing is hardly successful, the textiles become matted together, and lose their cleaning performance. This process is difficult to quantify and therefore difficult to correct even with a precautionary overdose, and practically impossible to validate.Besides the reduced lifespan of the textiles, this justifiably raises critical questions about the machine pre-impregnation process. The maximum durability of 72 hours also arises from this context. Object of the invention

[0006] Improved storability and thus a longer shelf life for reprocessed, pre-impregnated textiles is desirable, as this would further simplify logistical processes in healthcare facilities. The object of the present invention was therefore to provide disinfectant compositions suitable for impregnating and thus reprocessing used textiles, such as mops or wipes, so that the reprocessed and impregnated wipes can be stored for longer than 72 hours and are safe to use thereafter, because the active ingredients are released onto the surfaces in the desired concentration and accumulate less on the surfaces, ensuring that the wipes still exhibit the necessary efficacy even at the end of the storage period. The use of quaternary ammonium compounds should be avoided. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention relates to reused textiles impregnated with an aqueous disinfectant concentrate, obtainable at least by washing the textiles after use, thereby obtaining a washing liquid, and only partially removing the washing liquid and adding at least the aqueous disinfectant concentrate and water, wherein processed textiles impregnated with an impregnation liquid are obtained, the aqueous disinfectant concentrate comprising at least one hydroxycarboxylic acid with 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The washing of the textiles generally includes, in addition to the washing itself, the following processes: disinfection, rinsing, and spinning.

[0008] Surprisingly, it was found that the textiles treated in this way are characterized by the fact that, after more than 72 hours, the hydroxycarboxylic acid content in the impregnation liquid exceeds 90% by weight of the hydroxycarboxylic acids used, and / or the impregnated textiles meet the efficacy requirements of DIN 13063. These requirements include a microbiological benchmark test according to EN 16615 / E. hirae, EN 13727, P. aeruginosa and E. hirae, whereby the concentration / time relationship of the product used, as advertised as effective, must be verified.

[0009] The residue of the remaining wash liquid, the added aqueous disinfectant concentrate, and the water used to dilute the disinfectant concentrate, plus any other additives, constitute the impregnation liquid. In other words, the impregnation liquid is the liquid with which the textiles are at least coated after washing, the partial removal of wash liquid, and the addition of water-diluted disinfectant concentrate, and which they later release partially for surface disinfection. The wash liquid in the impregnation liquid is all the liquid that remains in the textile after washing and, in particular, spinning. According to one embodiment, the wash liquid essentially consists of water from a rinsing cycle.

[0010] Hydroxycarboxylic acids with 1 to 4 carbon atoms are carboxylic acids that contain no groups other than -OH, COOH, and possibly C=O. Their salts, dissociated in solution, are also considered hydroxycarboxylic acids. Suitable hydroxycarboxylic acids include, in particular, lactic acid, glycolic acid, tartaric acid, their salts, and their mixtures (including mixtures of the salts). Mixtures of lactic acid and glycolic acid are especially suitable, e.g., in a weight ratio of 1:10 to 10:1.

[0011] The disinfectant concentrates preferably contain 1 to 20 wt.%, particularly preferably 2 to 15 wt.% and particularly 4 to 10 wt.%, of the hydroxycarboxylic acids with 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0012] The impregnating liquid preferably contains 0.01 to 2 wt.%, particularly preferably 0.01 to 0.5 wt.% and particularly 0.02 to 0.2 wt.%, of the hydroxycarboxylic acids with 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0013] The degree of impregnation with the impregnating liquid is, for example, 0.5 to 6 times, and in particular 2 to 5 times, the weight of the textile. The impregnating liquid contains, in particular, more than 90% water by weight.

[0014] The textiles are preferably made of polyester, polyamide, polypropylene (each also recycled) or blends thereof. These are primarily microfiber cloths or microfiber mops. Detailed description of the invention

[0015] The disinfectant concentrate may further contain at least one solubilizer, preferably 0.1 to 20 wt.%, in particular 2 to 15 wt.%. The solubilizers are one or more hydrocarbons (with, for example, a total of 3 to 8 carbon atoms) each with ether and / or alcohol and / or ester groups, in particular ether and / or alcohol groups, further preferably each with 3, 4, or 5 interconnected carbon atoms (optionally also only in one segment or also segments of, for example, 3 plus 3, 3 plus 4, or 4 plus 4 carbon atoms) and preferably a maximum of 8 carbon atoms per molecule, in particular 1-methoxypropan-2-ol, 1-butoxypropan-2-ol, 1,2-dihydroxypropane, and / or 3-methoxy-3-methylbutan-1-ol.

[0016] The disinfectant concentrate may also contain: one or more anionic surfactants, in particular fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty alcohol ether sulfates, fatty alcohol sulfonates and / or olefin sulfonates, preferably sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl ether sulfate, alkyl sulfonates, branched and unbranched and / or alpha-olefin sulfonates.

[0017] In addition to or instead of anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, especially fatty alcohol alkoxylates, may also be contained in the disinfectant concentrate.

[0018] In addition, the disinfectant concentrates preferably contain one or more further acids, such as methanesulfonic acid or phosphoric acid, for pH adjustment. Nitric acid, methanesulfonic acid, sulfamic acid, phosphoric acid, and / or sulfuric acid, especially phosphoric acid, are therefore suitable acidifying agents for pH adjustment. The disinfectant concentrates are preferably adjusted to an acidic pH.

[0019] The disinfectant concentrate preferably contains no peroxide compounds and / or no quaternary ammonium compounds.

[0020] Examples of suitable textiles include: - CombiSpeed ​​Pro r-MicroLite Max (pocket mop), Vileda professional - 100% polyester by weight, weight of a 50 cm mop: 170 g, weight of a 40 cm mop: 127 g - Swep Duo r-MicroPlus Pro Mop, Vileda professional - 68% polyester by weight, 32% polypropylene by weight. Weight of a 50 cm mop: 141 g - Swep Single r-MicroPlus Pro Mop, Vileda professional - 60% polyester by weight, 40% polypropylene by weight, weight of a 50 cm mop: 113 g - r-MicronQuick, cloth, Vileda professional - 70% polyester by weight, 30% polyamide by weight, size 38x40 cm, basis weight 135 g / m²

[0021] Mop heads are typically 40 to 50 cm long and weigh 100 to 200 g each. Cloths are typically 0.1-0.2 sq m in size and, regardless of size, generally have a weight of 100-170 g / sq m.

[0022] The processing usually takes place in validated industrial washing systems with programmable process parameters (manufacturers e.g. Miele professional, Schneidereit, Kannegiesser, Girbau).

[0023] Either pass-through washing machines (barrier machines) with spatial separation of the dirty and clean sides, or conventional washer-extractors with organizational separation of the process steps, are used. The processing procedure consists of a multi-stage washing program with defined temperature, time, and chemical parameters.

[0024] The processing optionally includes one or more pre-washes, the main wash, and disinfection with a subsequent rinse cycle. This is followed, optionally, by acidification (to shift the pH value towards neutral), whereby the rinse cycle and neutralization can also be combined into a single step. Finally, dewatering takes place, e.g., by a spin cycle or wringing.

[0025] Washing and preparing the textiles can include, for example, the following steps: Pre-wash (optional): Pre-washing is typically carried out at temperatures of 20 to 40 °C, for example, for a duration of 3 to 8 minutes. Low-alkaline, surfactant-based detergents are used, for example, to remove coarse organic soils and prevent protein fixation.

[0026] Main wash (actual cleaning step): The main washing process is usually carried out at 40 to 60 °C, e.g. for 10 to 20 minutes, and typically using alkaline detergents with surfactants, complexing agents, and optionally enzymatic additives. This step served to remove remaining soiling and reduce the microbial load.

[0027] Disinfection: Disinfection is typically carried out as a chemo-thermal process at temperatures above 40°C. A temperature of 60 to 70°C is usually maintained, for example, for a holding time of 10 to 15 minutes. Depending on the method, disinfectants used include peracetic acid-based systems, active chlorine compounds (e.g., sodium hypochlorite), or oxygen-releasing bleaching agents (e.g., sodium percarbonate). Alternatively, purely thermal disinfection at 90°C or higher with a holding time of, for example, 10 minutes, can be performed.

[0028] Rinsing and neutralizing: After disinfection, rinsing cycles (e.g., 2 to 5 minutes per cycle, preferably at cold temperatures up to 40 °C) are performed to remove residues of washing and disinfecting chemicals. Alkaline residues are typically neutralized with acidic neutralizing agents. This improves skin compatibility and stabilizes wetting and cleaning performance.

[0029] Drainage: Mechanical dewatering is carried out in particular by centrifugation, e.g. at a minimum of 800 rpm, such as 800 to 1200 rpm.

[0030] Mechanical pre-impregnation with the disinfectant concentrate: The extracted contents are weighed, for example, using a weighing system integrated into the machine. Based on the residual liquid content determined during process validation and the desired degree of disinfectant saturation, the dilution factor (optionally with a safety buffer, i.e., an overdose) of the concentrate and the total amount of dilution are determined. The appropriate amount of water and disinfectant concentrate is then added to the extracted textiles, either separately or pre-mixed. To ensure even saturation, the textiles are tumbled in the drum at low speeds until sufficiently uniform saturation is achieved. The pre-moistened textiles are then removed, layered in clean containers, sealed, and labeled with the expiration date.

[0031] Preferably, the load for the washing process is essentially uniform with regard to the material of the textiles.

[0032] For example, the mops weigh 20 kg after mechanical dewatering. Of this, 5 kg is residual liquid. The effective concentration of a disinfectant concentrate with 10% w / w hydroxycarboxylic acids is, for example, a 1% dilution. The impregnation should be three times the weight of the dry textiles (degree of impregnation). For completely dry textiles, 3 x 15 kg = 45 kg of a 1% disinfectant solution would then be required for impregnation, i.e., a mixture of 44.55 kg water and 0.45 kg disinfectant concentrate.

[0033] The resulting dilution has a content of 0.1 wt% hydroxycarboxylic acids. In this example, the 5 kg of residual moisture would need to be compensated for. 39.55 kg of water would be soaked with 0.45 kg of disinfectant concentrate (1.125 wt% dilution, corresponding to 0.1125 wt% hydroxycarboxylic acids). When wringing out the pre-soaked textiles, a 1% concentration (target concentration 0.1 wt% hydroxycarboxylic acid), but at least a 0.9 wt% concentration of the disinfectant concentrate (at least 0.09 wt% of the hydroxycarboxylic acid), should be ensured or verified. Example

[0034] The release of active ingredients and the efficacy of impregnated mops were investigated for the commercially available disinfectant concentrate CARBOFLOOR (based on lactic and glycolic acid), which has a claimed efficacy of 1% per hour according to DIN 13063. Vileda's Swep Duo r-MicroPlus Pro Mop was impregnated to a 1% concentration of the disinfectant concentrate. After 3 and 5 days of storage, the impregnation liquid was squeezed out, and the active ingredient content was analyzed using HPLC (duplicate determination). No changes were observed within the margin of error.

[0035] Similarly, further pre-moistened mops (same mops, same disinfectant concentrate, same concentration) were tested in the laboratory after 3 and 5 days of storage according to the requirements of DIN 13063 regarding the effectiveness of pre-moistened textiles after storage time. The following results were obtained: After 3 days After 5 days Active ingredient content in % of the target value Lactic acid 98% 100% Glycolic acid 100% 100% Effectiveness according to DIN13063 EN 16615, E. hirae > 5.6 log / < 50 KBE > 5.6 log / < 50 KBE EN 13727, P. aeruginosa > 5.1 log > 5.1 log EN 13727, E. hirae > 5.4 log > 5.4 log CFU = Colony-forming units

[0036] This demonstrates that a drinking liquid containing CARBOFLOOR is suitable for the mechanical drinking of pugs even after a storage time of 72 hours.

Claims

Processed textiles provided with an impregnating liquid, wherein the processed textiles are obtained by washing used textiles, the washing comprising only the partial removal of a washing liquid and the addition of at least one aqueous disinfectant concentrate and water to the used washed textiles, to obtain the processed textiles provided with the impregnating liquid, wherein the aqueous disinfectant concentrate comprises one or more hydroxycarboxylic acids with 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Processed textiles according to claim 1, wherein the content of the hydroxycarboxylic acid(s) in the impregnation liquid in the processed textiles is greater than 90 wt.% of the hydroxycarboxylic acids used after more than 72 h and / or the processed textiles meet the effectiveness requirements of DIN 13063. Processed textiles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hydroxycarboxylic acid(s) are lactic acid, glycolic acid, tartaric acid, their salts or mixtures thereof, in particular mixtures of lactic acid and glycolic acid. Processed textiles according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the disinfectant concentrate contains 1 to 20 wt.%, preferably 2 wt.%, 15 wt.%, particularly preferably 4 to 10 wt.%, hydroxycarboxylic acids with 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Processed textiles according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the impregnation liquid contains 0.01 to 2 wt.%, preferably 0.01 to 0.5 wt.% and particularly preferably 0.02 to 0.2 wt.% of hydroxycarboxylic acids with 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Processed textiles according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the degree of impregnation of the textiles with the impregnating liquid is 0.5 to 6 times, in particular 2 to 5 times, the weight of the textiles. Processed textiles according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the impregnation liquid contains more than 90 wt.% water. Processed textiles according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the textiles are cloths or mops. Processed textiles according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the textiles are made of polyester, polyamide, polypropylene or mixtures thereof. Use of an aqueous disinfectant concentrate for impregnating previously used textiles that have been used for surface disinfection and then washed, disinfected and, if necessary, rinsed with one or more washing liquids, wherein processed textiles are obtained after mechanical removal of a predominant proportion of the washing liquid, provided with an impregnation liquid comprising the aqueous disinfectant concentrate diluted with water and the remaining washing liquid from the washing process, wherein the disinfectant concentrate comprises one or more hydroxycarboxylic acids with 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Use according to claim 10, wherein the processed textiles are further characterized as in any one of claims 1 to 9.