Koala recommends the following products
be available to the janitorial staff for
cleaning and disinfecting:
• Clean nylon brush
• EPA registered disinfectant
• Microfiber rag
• Detergent
And the following PPE
(personal protection equipment):
• Powderless latex gloves
• Safety glasses
• Appropriate floor sign
Cleaning and Disinfecting Tips
Koala exclusively uses Microban® antimicrobial
protection in our manufacturing process. (For more
information on Microban®, go to www.koalabear.
com.) However, it is still important that the Baby
Changing Station (BCS) undergo daily cleaning and
disinfecting (and maintenance inspections). Bacteria
reproduce very rapidly (10 – 15 minutes under
ideal conditions), so by combining an EPA approved
disinfectant, proper cleaning procedures, and
Microban® will insure a healthy, safe, durable BCS.
Koala recommends
cleaning plastic
surfaces separately
before disinfecting
them. Disinfectants
are more effective on
bacteria with the unit
clean of soil and other impurities. (Some manu-
factures do sell disinfectant synthetic detergents
[DSD] that clean and disinfect, but separating the
tasks will improve the overall effectiveness.) We also
recommend using both disinfectants and detergents
that do not contain an overwhelming fragrance
which often mask inappropriate smells.
We recommend the application of disinfectants
after plastic surfaces have been thoroughly cleaned.
Disinfectants have dwell times of 7 – 10 minutes.
Disinfectants do require moisture to eradicate
bacteria, so apply disinfectants via a spray bottle or
other appropriate applicator to be effective.
Apply standard stainless steel cleaner to the stain-
less steel surface. With a soft rag, wipe with the
grain of the stainless steel surface to remove.
Microfiber rags
capture 25 – 35%
more soil than
traditional terry
cloth rags. We
recommend red
or white (with
red trim) microfiber rags for exclusive use on the
BCS to avoid cross-contamination with other areas.
Manufacturers recommend microfiber rags be
washed separately from other fabrics. When wiping
dry the BCS surfaces after cleaning, the microfiber
rags will capture small particles of soil and
impurities.
All microfiber rags should be thoroughly
washed via
a cleaning service or local washer/dryer.
Quality microfiber rags can be washed 300 – 500
times before replacement.
The final step in any cleaning/disinfecting procedure
is to inspect to ensure the quality assurance
guidelines have been achieved. When the BCS has
been cleaned/disinfected, look for the following
assurance guidelines:
• Surfaces should feel smooth and be
free of visible soil.
• There should be no odors.
• The unit should be properly secured to the wall.
• The adjoining wall and floor below the BCS
should be free of visible soil. Please refer to the
cleaning and maintenance guide for the proper
cleaning/disinfecting procedures.
Maintenance and Replacement Parts
The unit should be routinely inspected to ensure it
is functioning correctly and no parts need replacing.
The strap should be replaced if the buckle is broken
and will not fasten or if the webbing is cut or frayed.
To inspect the shock open and close the unit. Shock
may need replacement if door opens too rapidly or
door doesn’t close. If the door does not close once it
is lifted to roughly 40º or if the door falls open with-
out slowing, then the shock needs to be replaced.
Employee Safety
Employees who service the BCS should wear the
following personal protective equipment (PPE):
(powderless) latex/nitrile gloves to protect hands;
long sleeve shirts to protect the wrist and arms;
safety goggles. In addition, a Wet Floor Sign should
be placed outside the restroom/baby changing door
to alert the public that
cleaning is taking place
(since moisture will
probably end up on the
floor).
We discourage the
use of bleach as the
disinfectant
. There
are numerous other
commercial products (Quats) that are less harmful
to the surface and employee and are better able
to destroy microorganisms. Further, if bleach is
inadvertently mixed
with ammonia, harmful chlorine
gas can be produced.
