In the era of COVID-19, which has infected more than 15 million people and killed at over 200,000 individuals in the United States alone, safety is paramount. It’s more important than ever to wash your hands frequently, disinfect surfaces that you touch, and lower the risk of transmission.
With people 65 years and older accounting for 80% of the reported coronavirus deaths in the U.S., we must all take extra precautions to stay healthy. For individuals who have mobility issues, cleaning and disinfecting the surfaces they make contact with all day long — like wheelchair seats and chair padding — is essential to lowering the risk of infection.
Broda Makes Disinfecting Easy
Broda’s wheelchairs and chairs are manufactured with primarily vinyl upholstery, which makes it easy for the facilities and individuals that use our products to clean and disinfect them.
Our vinyl fabric has other benefits, too. For example, it creates a moisture barrier that keeps fluids away from the skin. Further, the minimal texture on the vinyl means fewer crevices for dirt and bacteria to get stuck in, making the sterilization process far more straightforward.
Broda’s wheelchairs offer comprehensive seating. This means our products conform to the body shapes of users and are incredibly durable, resistant to tears, scuffs, and cracks; they also won’t be damaged by cleaning agents. In other words, you don’t have to worry about harming the material when cleaning or disinfecting it.
The Cleaning Process
Cleaning Broda’s products is a simple process, but it’s vital to ensure that it’s done properly to maximize your results and lower the risk of infection. Here are the steps to follow when it’s time to clean your Broda chair:
- Remove any liquid spills or debris by using a damp cloth, soap, and warm water. Rinse the affected area with water before drying it thoroughly.
- For tougher stains or mild disinfection, spray a concentrated cleaner such as Formula 490® or Fantastik® directly on the stained area. Wipe it down with a clean cloth.
- To maximize disinfection and sanitization, there are two main options. You can use either a hospital-grade quaternary cleaner at the recommended dilution or a 1-to-4 mix of bleach to water. Apply the cleaning solution directly to the vinyl material.
- As an alternative to a quaternary solution or a bleach mixture, you can use a steam vapor cleaner that produces steam at 240°F to 270°F. This can be used to clean heat-resistant areas, such as the vinyl fabric and frame components of Broda’s products.
The easiest way to clean the frame components and casters on our products is with a steam vapor cleaner (as mentioned above). Pair that steam cleaner with a mild disinfectant, and be sure to wipe the frame dry after cleaning to avoid corrosion or rusting of those surfaces.
For more information on infection control for Broda’s products, consult our cleaning and disinfecting guide.
