Washing our hands properly is one of the best things we can do to help limit and prevent the spread of illness and help keep us healthy.
However, it is important to note that not all hand soap dispensing systems are created equal. The sad truth is that soap from bulk soap dispensers is prone to becoming contaminated.
According to recent studies, contaminated soap may actually do the opposite of what it is supposed to do. Instead of removing germs, contaminated bulk soap may actually be adding some!
Think about it. In order to refill a bulk soap dispenser, the dispenser and the left-over soap remaining inside of it are exposed to the environment. Airborne germs, foreign objects, and inadvertent hand contact from a janitor, who may have just cleaned the toilets, can all mix into the bulk soap dispenser and contribute to possible contamination. Not to mention the more sinister prospect of contamination through intentional vandalism to the bulk soap as it sits in an “open” bulk soap dispenser.
In the healthcare industry, it has been long accepted that a sealed soap dispensing system is necessary to better ensure infection control. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has published Guidelines for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings, which provides the following advice: “Do not add soap to a partially empty soap dispenser. This practice of 'topping off' dispensers can lead to bacterial contamination of soap.”
This unfortunate circumstance of contaminated bulk soap has also been researched and confirmed in public restrooms in non-healthcare settings as well.
Not only are the bulk soap dispensers and the soap contained in them potentially contaminated, but hands that are washed with contaminated soap can themselves become contaminated, leaving hands with up to twenty-five times more germs after washing than what was on their hands in the first place before washing their hands.
Yes, but these types of bulk soap dispensers are typically not cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis, and once contaminated, it is difficult to break the chain of contamination.
According to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “Dispenser remediation studies, including a 10-minute soak with 5000 mg l(-1) sodium hypochlorite, were then conducted to determine the efficacy of cleaning and disinfectant procedures against established biofilms. The testing showed that contamination of the bulk soap returned to pre-test levels within 7-14 days. These results demonstrate biofilm is present in contaminated bulk-soap dispensers and remediation studies to clean and sanitize the dispensers are temporary.”
In other words, once bulk soap dispensers are contaminated, even cleaning and soaking them in bleach doesn’t alleviate the issue. Recontamination can be expected to occur within another two weeks, and contaminants can be present in the bulk soap dispenser even when not obvious or visible.
In addition to potentially harboring contaminants, bulk soap dispensers are also more labor-intensive to maintain.
It takes time and effort to pour soap from a gallon into each of the dispensers. The possibility of overfilling and creating a spill are all concerns that need to be considered when evaluating a bulk soap dispenser for your facility.
In addition, nozzles can clog or drip, which could lead to parts needing to be ordered and replaced. That means the bulk soap dispenser may not be performing optimally and is now a potential eye sore.
After reading about the possibilities of contamination referenced in the first part of this article, our hope is that your facility care staff are budgeting time to clean and sanitize the bulk soap dispensers in your building. We also recommend that they make sure not to perpetuate the practice of systematically “topping off” these dispensers with bulk soap, making it constantly necessary to perform a thorough cleaning and sanitizing of these potentially contaminated dispensers.
So what is the alternative? A sanitary sealed soap dispensing system, like the KleenLine™ Foam Handwash System, can help a facility deliver clean hands, all while decreasing labor costs.
Check out the Difference
| Refillable Bulk Soap | Sealed Soap System (like KleenLine™ Foam Handwash System) |
| Maintenance and Reliability | Maintenance and Reliability |
| Time and effort required to pour bulk soap from a gallon container. Added cleanup time required due to messy pour. | Refill cartridge snaps in place in seconds. |
| Time and effort required to replace pumps and nozzles. Added cleanup time required due to drips. | No-mess cartridge refills snap easily into place, each with a fresh pump and nozzle. |
| Time and effort required to clean and sanitize dispensers periodically. | Fresh nozzle with each new refill, with no additional maintenance required. |
| Open dispensers and refill gallons susceptible to vandalism or theft. | Lockable dispensers and proprietary refills deter vandalism and theft. |
| Aesthetics and Image | Aesthetics and Image |
| Manual overfilling creates a spilling mess if not immediately cleaned up. | Soap is fully contained and dispensed in no-spill cartridges. |
| Permanent nozzles clog over time and cause complaints that soap is out even when the dispenser is full. | Every refill comes with a new nozzle, which prevents clogging. WAXIE Select system also features a large sight window to help eliminate complaints that soap is out. |
| Some dispensers are of unreliable quality and poor appearance. | Sleek, stylish dispensers with premium-quality soaps and no-mess cartridge refills. |
| Contamination Risk | Contamination Risk |
| One out of every four refillable bulk soap dispensers is contaminated with unsafe levels of bacteria, leaving hands with twenty-five times more bacteria than before. | Each soap cartridge is factory-sealed to lock out germs, and each cartridge includes a fresh and sanitary nozzle. |
| CDC has recognized the bacterial contamination risk of “topping off” refillable bulk soap dispensers and has issued guidelines against this practice. | Each soap cartridge is factory-sealed to lock out germs, and each cartridge includes a fresh and sanitary nozzle. |
BradyPLUS is ready to help build your custom Hand Hygiene System to fit your facility care needs, so reach out to us today to start improving the health and safety in your building!
1. MMWR - Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings