Hand & Surface Wipes

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Sterimax is one of the UK’s leading distributors of Sleepy brand hand & surface wet wipes, selling in bulk to the hospitality, healthcare and home services industries.

Sleepy wet wipes are the best-quality wet wipes in the industry, used in commercial, industrial and domestic environments. Products include disinfecting wipes for hard surfaces and anti-bacterial wipes for hands and face.

We sell wet wipes by the case and by the pallet. Pallets have 120 cases, suitable for industrial-scale distribution and reselling. We only sell wet wipes from reputable brands and can supply large quantities at short notice.

Hand and surface wipes – a quick guide

Surface wipes typically come in two types: antibacterial and disinfectant wipes. The key difference is that antibacterial wipes are used on the skin, while disinfectant wipes are used on hard surfaces and non-permeable soft surfaces.

For example, when doing blood tests, you would use disinfectant wipes to clean a medical tray and antibacterial wipes to clean the patient’s skin.

What makes these wet wipes suitable for different applications? They have different ingredients, and some organic and inorganic ingredients work better on hard surfaces to kill bacteria and viruses, while others work better on skin. Additionally, wet wipes intended for skin are less harsh with hypoallergenic ingredients.

Another distinction is that while disinfecting wipes kill bacteria and viruses (up to 99.9%), some antibacterial wipes kill bacteria only. However, the Sleepy brand antibacterial wipes we sell have antibacterial, antiviral and antimicrobial qualities.

Still, with any wet wipes, the antibacterial and antiviral qualities’ efficacy depends on following the instructions. Some wet wipes require minimum exposure to the material (be it skin or something else) to kill 99.99% of contaminants.

Also, most disinfectant and antibacterial wipes are not tested to deal with inorganic contaminants like salts and minerals, so some surfaces still need cleansing with a suitable cleansing spray before they can be classed as sterile.

Only plastic-free wet wipes are biodegradable. Wet wipes made from plastics are not biodegradable, and contaminated wet wipes are not recyclable. Spent wet wipes should be disposed of responsibly -- wipes in medical settings should be put in a yellow biohazard bag, and wipes used in commercial and domestic settings should be put in the waste bin. Wet wipes are incinerated at recycling facilities and are not recycled, and they can also end up in a landfill. If you are concerned about these eco-credentials, you should look at plastic-free wipes, but keep in mind that they are not as durable.

You can use antibacterial wipes designed for use on the skin on the face. You should not use disinfectant wipes designed for hard surfaces because the chemicals are different and could cause irritation, leading to skin damage and an allergic reaction. Some wet wipe brands advise against using wet wipes around the eyes, but it depends on the manufacturer and the type of wet wipe. Sleepy antibacterial wet wipes are suitable for use all over the face - ideal for cosmetics and sanitation.

Wet wipes containing plastics are not flushable and should never be flushed because they do not degrade, clogging the sewerage system. Wet wipes cause fatbergs and blockages, and most manufacturers have a label saying do not flush. If wet wipes have the Fine to Flush logo, you can safely flush them. However, the only wet wipes with this logo are plastic-free wipes and wet toilet paper, and you will not find any wet wipes made from plastic with the Fine to Flush logo.

Plastic wet wipes are manufactured on an industrial scale from thin rolls of polyester or polypropylene (non-woven fabrics). The fabric is pressed with a paste containing chemicals and then cured to form a long roll. The roll is then cut into sheets, moistened and packaged. Fine to Flush wet wipes are made from fibrous materials like cellulose from wood pulp and follow the same manufacturing process as plastic wipes. Some flushable wipes also have additives that help them break down with water.

Wet wipes are used in nearly every industry, including healthcare, hospitality, cosmetics, home services, cleaning and sanitation, construction and engineering. The biggest consumer of wet wipes is the healthcare industry. You can use disinfecting wipes on hard surfaces and non-porous, soft surfaces like artificial leather, rubber and silicone. Antibacterial wipes are for use on the skin and can be used on the hands, face and sometimes around the eyes.

Sterimax is proud to supply disposable PPE and hygiene products to multinational food, manufacturing, and healthcare companies. Our established supply chain removes risks associated with global procurement, helping companies meet demand at volume with great customer service for a seamless experience.

We are one of the UK’s leading suppliers of disposable gloves, disposable PPE, face masks, wet wipes and sanitising sprays and hand gels. We only stock CE marked and approved products that meet industry requirements.

We invite you to browse our collection if you know what products you need. If you require advice before buying, please contact us for help. We are here to assist in any way we can, delivering a quality service from start to finish.

    Sterimax Global