Can Bulk Soap Be Contaminated?

How Does it Happen? Bacteria from fecal matter & other sources can grow inside the dispenser.

By: Keith Schneringer  |  July 3, 2019

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 they're supposed to do. Instead of removing germs, they may 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 potential inadvertent hand contact from a janitor who may have just cleaned the toilets can all mix in to 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.

Topics: hand hygiene, health, infection protection

Food Safety: Your Health (& Others) is in Your Hand Hygiene

By: Chris Myer  |  May 3, 2019

Each year on World Hand Hygiene Day (May 5), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) campaign to spread awareness about the importance of hand hygiene in healthcare environments.

While the importance of hand hygiene in healthcare can’t be understated, it’s not just healthcare workers whose hand hygiene practices could potentially pose a serious health issue for others. Foodservice workers’ hand hygiene, or lack thereof, also has a significant impact on the health of the public. 

So, just as the CDC and the WHO have done for healthcare workers, WAXIE is aiming to bring awareness of the need for hand hygiene improvement in the foodservice industry too on this year’s World Hand Hygiene Day. 

Towards that end, this post will illustrate the importance of hand hygiene in the foodservice industry and demonstrate how your organization can start implementing best practices for improving hand hygiene immediately.

Topics: hand hygiene, Food Service, infection protection

6 Trends in the Cleaning Industry for 2019

By Briana Smith  |  January 10, 2019

What a year 2018 was in the cleaning industry! While the tariff situation between the U.S. and other countries was the probably the biggest news, we also saw:

• California Assembly Bill AB-10 come into effect requiring schools to provide free feminine hygiene products
• Minimum wages were increased across the country
• China stopped taking most of our recyclables
• An expansion to California’s Prop 65 requiring specific language be added to labels & signage when certain chemical compounds are present
• Cleaning ingredient transparency regulations are being enacted in several states

In 2019, we at WAXIE foresee legislation & technology building upon the foundations from last year and advancing towards implementation.

Topics: hand hygiene, workplace wellness, sustainability, IoT, industry news, tariffs

Handwashing: The Do-It-Yourself Vaccine

By: Keith Schneringer  |  November 29, 2018

Washing your hands properly is one of the best things you can do to help prevent and control the spread of many illnesses – and good hand hygiene is a key contributor to helping us all stay healthy. As a matter of fact, the CDC believes that handwashing is so important that they refer to it as a “do-it-yourself vaccine”!

Regular handwashing is a quick and simple activity which can help us all to remove germs from our hands, and therefore prevent the spread of these germs to others (including back to ourselves) which could potentially result in illness. As the CDC states, “Handwashing is a win for everyone – except the germs”!

Topics: hand hygiene, handwashing

Fighting the Flu: Kersey and Local Partners Announce the Rollout of Hand Sanitizer Stations at All City Libraries and Rec Centers

WAXIE Sanitary Supply & GOJO partnered with the City of San Diego to install Purell Hand Sanitizer Stations in all local libraries and recreation centers; left to right – WAXIE Vice President of Marketing, Rick Hazard; City of San Diego Councilmember Mark Kersey; WAXIE San Diego General Manager, Lee Jackson; and WAXIE Director of Channel Marketing & Sustainability, Keith Schneringer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWS PROVIDED BY: The City of San Diego – Councilmember Mark Kersey, Fifth District

October 10, 2018 

San Diego – Recognizing the importance of preventative measures this flu season, Councilman Mark Kersey has partnered with WAXIE Sanitary Supply and GOJO, the makers of Purell, to equip all San Diego City libraries and recreation centers with a hand sanitizer station. 

Last season, 342 people died from complications from the flu, 255 more than the previous season and the highest total since the County of San Diego began tracking flu deaths nearly 20 years ago. According to the San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, people should get vaccinated by the end of October and supplement vaccination with hand washing and hand sanitizer.

Topics: hand hygiene, hand sanitizer, community involvement

Get Ready ‘Cause Here It Comes: Preparing for Cold & Flu Season

By: Briana Smith

Cold & flu season tends to follow quickly on the heels of back-to-school, as the weather becomes cooler. Staying healthy at work or school can be a challenge, but there are some easy ways to minimize the changes of catching something.

Topics: hand hygiene, workplace wellness, cleaning tips

Emergency Preparation for the Unthinkable – School Lockdowns

By: Briana Smith, Social Media & Product Branding Specialist, WAXIE Sanitary Supply

Unfortunately in this day and age, school lockdowns are becoming increasingly frequent with students and educators being stuck in classrooms for unknown quantities of time.

Topics: hand hygiene, workplace safety, education

Debunking Some of the Most Common Hand Sanitizer Myths

Guest Post By: Jim Arbogast, Ph.D., Vice President of Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements, GOJO

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers play a key role in keeping us healthy – especially as the winter-germ season approaches. In fact, practicing good hand hygiene – handwashing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when hands are not visibly soiled – is one of the easiest and most effective ways to stay healthy.

Yet, there are many misconceptions about alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and we wanted to take this opportunity to set the record straight. The following takes a closer look and tells the truth about hand sanitizers.

Topics: hand hygiene, Restroom Care, workplace wellness

Flu Vaccine Warning by CDC is Reminder of Prevention & Important Role of Hand Hygiene

Guest Post By: James Arbogast, Vice President of Hygiene Science and Public Health Advancements, GOJO

As we enter into what is typically the height of flu season, health officials are warning of the potential for the season to be particularly severe. In fact, states across the nation are already affected, with widespread flu already hitting several regions. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this year’s vaccine may have a diminished impact because the strain of the H3N2 flu virus has significantly mutated. Vaccines are developed based on predictive information, almost a year in advance of the season in which they are used. The path of mutation and most common flu strains can be unpredictable. The flu vaccine still provides great value in that vaccinated people are less likely to get infected and may have a milder illness if they do become infected.

Topics: hand hygiene, workplace wellness, education