CLEANCLOTH · Development of an Antibacterial Cloth Based on Microfibre

In the CleanCloth project, we propose to develop a superior cleaning cloth with constant and continuous antibacterial effect, ensuring that no bacteria is left in the cloth and making bacterial re-growth impossible, without need for special and time-consuming hygiene procedures. This will be accomplished by a unique technology with antibacterial agent integrated into the microfiber of the cloth. The advances in this technology will allow significant reduction of cross-contamination and bacterial regrowth. Infectious diseases arising in the home setting are a significant concern. A significant amount of infections, not only food-borne but also person-to-person, relate to cross contamination via hands, surfaces or other bacteria containing objects such as the kitchen-cloth. Pathogenic and potentially pathogenic species are introduced as microbial contamination into the home and public places such as hospitals, day care centres, offices and hotels on a regular basis via people, pets and insects as well as in food, water and via air. Wet sites, such as kitchen areas, toilets and bathrooms are most commonly associated with heavy contamination and potentially harmful species. However, other wet sites such as dishcloths and cleaning utensils have also been found to be heavily contaminated. Contamination in the kitchen is most frequently caused by raw food, but the sink, waste trap and surrounding areas can also act as semi-permanent sources or reservoirs of bacteria. Gram negative species such as E. Coli, klebsiella spp. and pseudomonads have been shown to grow to substantial numbers in sink U-tube and toilet water, as well as in contaminated wet cloths. The reservoir/disseminator sites such as wet cloths and cleaning utensils have a high risk of germs being present, a constant risk for spread of germs and are always in need for adequate hygiene procedures