I work in a care home, our manager has said due to the fact we are using too many wipes per week (dry wipes we wet to wash services user’s personnel places i.e. bottoms), we are now having to use dark colour flannels that get washed in the laundry and get used by all.

My concern is this is unhygienic and puts services users at risk of infection and cross contamination. I would like to know if this way of washing is considered ok and common practice, as I think disposable wipes surely must be the correct way?

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear J,

Thank you for your question.

The first thing that I would say is that I often read that wipes are not environmentally friendly and they are not biodegradable. However, they do of course have a role to play in a care home but so do flannels.

If flannels are to be used regularly then each resident should have two flannels in use at any one time. One for the face, hands and upper body and one for the lower body. I would have thought that it would be best to identify by two different colours.

The flannels should be washed regularly and preferably daily.

In the event of an infection in the home then wipes should be used.

I hope this is helpful.

Best wishes.

Sheila