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Can Disinfectants Cause your Equipment to Crack and Break?

Traditional barcode scanner and mobile computers are made with a housing of amorphous plastics. These plastics, including polycarbonate / acrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene (PC/ABS), are usually chosen because they can be easily manufactured. Housings made of PC/ABS contain a loosely packed structure which makes it easier for chemicals to penetrate the plastic.

cracked-scanner Repeated use of chemical cleansers, as recommended by the CDC for infection control, ‘may cause discoloration, swelling, hardening, cracking of rubber, certain plastics after prolonged and repeated use’ Cracks can also lead to hardware failure, corrosion of electronic circuitry and electrical fires, can also occur.

Products that are used in the HealthCare Industry must be designed specifically to withstand the regular cleaning required to properly address their infection control needs.

Before you select your barcode scanners and mobile computers make sure they can hold up to the specified cleaners. Make sure you ask if they are constructed of “Disinfectant Ready Plastics”

Recommended Cleaning Solutions:
Honeywell Scanning and Mobility

  • Sani-Cloth® HB
  • Sani-Cloth® Plus
  • 409® Glass and Surface Cleaner
  • CaviWipesTM
  • Clorox® Bleach – 100%
  • Gentle Dish Soap and Water
  • Virex® 256
  • Windex® Blue
  • Isopropyl Alcohol Wipes (70%)
  • Super Sani-Cloth®

Motorola – Motorola Cleaning Instructions

  • Ethanol 80%
  • Clorox® Bleach – 100%
  • Dispatch®
  • Super Sani-Cloth® Wipes
  • Clorox® Bleach – 100%
  • Gentle Dish Soap and Water
  • Virex® 5
  • Windex® with Ammonia D
  • Windex® with Antimicrobial