Hand soap essentials: The surprising power of keeping it clean
When sanitising your clinical space, it’s easy to reach for heavy-duty chemical sprays or alcohol wipes. But did you know that one of the safest and most effective ways to clean many of your Kay Pictures products is basic hand soap?
Hand soap is always to hand
It all comes down to chemistry. Hand soap is a highly effective surfactant (a compound that lowers water’s surface tension). On a microscopic level, soap molecules act like double-sided magnets: one end loves water, while the other end loves oils, dirt, and the fatty outer membranes of viruses and bacteria. When you wash with soap, it traps these microscopic threats, breaks down their protective outer layers, and allows them to be effortlessly rinsed away with water.
Using standard hand soap and water isn’t just great science; it’s also the gentlest way to prolong the life of your favourite orthoptic tools.
A quick cleaning cheat-sheet:
- Best for soap & water: Our Occluding Glasses (made of polycarbonate) and the Kay Picture Screening Chart thrive with simple soap and water. Harsh chemical cleaners can actually cause polycarbonate plastics to weaken or crack over time!
- Use wipes with care: For items with exposed edges like our Near Test Cards or the inner pages of our Test Books, avoid soaking them. Use anti-bacterial wipes very carefully, keeping moisture away from the unsealed edges to prevent delamination.
- Fabric patches: Kay Fun Patches only require a gentle hand wash in cool water with a mild detergent. Air drying keeps them looking bright and holding their shape.
Want the full breakdown on keeping your specific test books, cards, and sticks pristine? Bookmark our official Kay Pictures Cleaning Solutions Guide for step-by-step care tips.
