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Clinell Universal Wipes are proven effective against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) in a 30 second contact time.

[Update 30/11/21: Evidence suggests the mutations seen in the Omicron and Delta variants will not affect the efficacy of surface disinfectants. Despite these mutations, Omicron is still part of the coronavirus family, a group of enveloped viruses that show similar susceptibility to disinfectants. Both Clinell Universal Wipes and Clinell Peracetic Acid Wipes will kill SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces in 30 seconds. A section has been added below to explain if Clinell Wipes are effective against the Omicron variant.]

[Update 25/11/21: Clinell Sporicidal Wipes are now known as Clinell Peracetic Acid Wipes.]

[Update: 11/09/20: Clinell Universal Wipes are proven effective against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), in a 30 second contact time. They have been tested according to EN14476 by an accredited, third-party laboratory.]

Original publication date 23/01/20.

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COVID-19 was previously known as ‘novel coronavirus (nCoV)’ and ‘2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)’. It’s a disease caused by an emerging strain of virus from the same family as those that cause ‘Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)’ and were responsible for the SARS outbreak in 2003.

The novel coronavirus was first identified on the 7th of January 2020 and the situation is still rapidly evolving. Healthcare providers, national and international organisations are still deliberating. We will be responding to the situation as it develops. This post addresses the efficacy of Clinell Universal Wipes (‘green wipes’) and Clinell Peracetic Acid Wipes (‘red wipes’) against coronaviruses.

Choosing the right wipe.

Clinell Universal Wipes are effective against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) in just 30 seconds of contact time.

Clinell Peracetic Acid Wipes are fully virucidal. They’re also effective against coronaviruses in a 60 second contact time. Unless otherwise indicated, it’s not necessary to move up to Clinell Sporicidal Wipes to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Clinell Universal Wipes excel against coronavirus.

All three are validated against EN14476. They were tested at Microbac Laboratory, a third-party Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory in the USA (one of the few independent laboratories in the world accredited to conduct efficacy testing on the COVID-19 virus).

Clinell Universal Wipes were tested against SARS-CoV-2, the exact strain of human coronavirus that causes COVID-19 – not a surrogate.

30 second efficacy.

Clinell Universal Wipes are effective against the COVID-19 virus in 30 seconds. Clinell Peracetic Acid Wipes are proven effective against coronavirus in 60 seconds. That means it’s important to understand contact time. Contact time is the length of time the surface being disinfected must remain wet for the disinfectant to work.

Clinell Universal Wipes and Clinell Peracetic Acid Wipes are formulated to keep surfaces wet for the whole contact time. It’s important for users to remember to discard wipe they’re using as it becomes dry or soiled.

No pre-cleaning required.

Clinell Universal Wipes and Clinell Peracetic Acid Wipes are single-step detergent/disinfectant wipes. That means they clean and disinfect in a single action.

For our surface products, that means – unlike chlorine – that surfaces don’t need to be pre-cleaned before disinfecting.

This reduces the opportunity for user error and makes sure we’re always delivering an effective dose of disinfectant.

Do Clinell Wipes work on the Omicron variant?

Omicron is a variant of concern, with several mutations that could affect how infectious it is, but are unlikely to change how disinfectants kill the virus. It’s still only a variant of the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) and it’s still an enveloped virus.

Clinell Universal Wipes and Clinell Peracetic Acid Wipes are proven effective against the SARS-CoV-2, other human coronaviruses (MERS-CoV) and many other enveloped viruses.

The most relevant mutations in the Omicron variant (and other variants of concern) are to do with the spike protein. The spike protein is part of how the virus enters our cells; small changes and mutations in the spike protein can make the virus more or less infectious. However, changes to the spike protein don’t affect how well disinfectants are able to kill the virus.

Clinell Universal Wipes and Clinell Peracetic Acid Wipes are each formulated with a blend of several active disinfectants and pre-impregnated with an effective dose. Because the wipes are formulated this way, viruses can’t form resistance in the same way they could to anti-viral medications or evade them the way they could for vaccines. If a disinfectant works against any form of SARS-CoV-2, it is likely to be effective against all variants.

When to use.

For more information about COVID-19, please see your local infection prevention team or the latest national or international guidance. World Health Organisation, Centres for Disease Control and Department of Health and Social Care.

For more information information about product efficacy, please see the website pages for the Clinell Universal Range and Clinell Peracetic Acid Wipes.