Do I need to remove the jacket from the tablet before using the Wysiwash Sanitizer?
No! Do not remove the jacket from the Wysiwash Sanitizer Jacketed Caplet before using it. The jacket does several things and is integral to the operation of the Sanitizer.
How long will a caplet last?
When drained properly when not in use, a Wysiwash Jacketed Caplet will last for approximately 3.5 hours.
How do I know when to change caplet?
When you pick up a stored and drained Sanitizer-V or Sanitizer, gently shake the unit before attaching it to your hose. If you hear or feel caplet clunk inside the Caplet Container, you are ready to disinfect. Inspect visually as needed. If not, open Caplet Container, discard plastic jacket, and insert new caplet.
Does the Wysiwash Sanitizing System generate fumes?
The Wysiwash Sanitizing Solution generates some fumes, albeit many fewer than most sanitizers and disinfectants. Like most cleaning products, the Wysiwash Sanitizing System should be used in areas with adequate ventilation. A good rule of thumb is that if you wouldn’t use bleach due to lack of ventilation, then you should increase ventilation before using Wysiwash. Most users report that Wysiwash is more pleasant than other disinfectants, especially liquid bleach.
Is it safe to have skin contact with surfaces that have just been sprayed with Wysiwash?
The Wysiwash Sanitizing Solution is mild but highly effective and incidental contact is generally safe for adult humans and animals. As a precaution, we recommend rinsing areas where children and baby animals will have direct contact with. However, during priming and draining we advise special caution, because the concentrated solution can be irritating.
Can I spray my animal with Wysiwash?
No. Wysiwash is not intended for extended contact with human or animal skin. Always remove animals and children from the area before using Wysiwash.
After spraying Wysiwash, is it safe to return animals back into areas that are still wet?
It is best to allow the area to dry before returning animals to kennels that have been sanitized with Wysiwash. However, if you can't let the area dry completely, then we recommend rinsing the area (after the contact time has elapsed). Rinsing will break up any spots where Wysiwash may be concentrated. Squeegeeing can help kennels dry faster.
What does it mean that Wysiwash is "pet safe"?
It means that when used as instructed, the Wysiwash Sanitizing Solution will not cause harm to your pet.
Do I need to take any special precautions when using Wysiwash on areas where baby or young animals will be?
Baby animals (humans included) have more sensitive skin—not to mention that they are teething and put their mouths everywhere. To prevent any irritation from occurring—we recommend rinsing Wysiwash when using it around puppies, kittens, and other baby animals.
Can I use Wysiwash Solution to rinse down degreasers or other cleaners?
It is completely safe to rinse down degreasers and soaps that are labeled as safe for use with chlorine products or oxidizers. Do not use with ammonia products and products that are not compatible for use with chlorine.
Can I use Wysiwash with ammonia based products?
No. It is extremely dangerous to use Wysiwash (or any chlorine product) with ammonia. If you have used ammonia products in the past, be sure to rinse them thoroughly and let the area dry completely. It is best to wait several days to use Wysiwash and take extra precautions with ventilation after using an ammonia based product.
Will the Wysiwash Solution “bleach” or stain clothes?
If the Sanitizer-V has been properly drained and disconnected from the water hose during storage, the solution sprayed will not bleach clothes. However, the solution that is drained out of the Sanitizer after each use is highly concentrated and will bleach clothes. Use extra care while disconnecting and draining. If the Sanitizer is left attached to a water hose for long periods of time, allowing the caplet to become saturated, the solution may stain clothes upon immediate startup for a few seconds until the unit clears itself of excess chlorine.
Even with proper drainage, the solution may still be concentrated during the first 30 seconds of spraying with a previously used caplet. Be sure to take extra caution when starting. We highly recommend that each time you use Wysiwash, you begin by spraying into a floor drain or another safe area for 30 seconds to avoid accidental contact with solution. Taking these precautions should eliminate bleaching.
What is Wysiwash’s contact time? How long does the solution need to remain on a surface to sanitize?
The main active ingredient in the Wysiwash Sanitizer is hypochlorous acid, one of the most effective disinfectant chemicals. In reality, the high levels of hypochlorous acid produced by the Wysiwash Sanitizer kill within seconds (up to 120 times faster than liquid bleach due to pH level). Nevertheless, it is our recommendation to leave the Wysiwash solution on a surface for at least two minutes. But remember, this is a moot point because you do not have to rinse!
Is it safe for use around my plants?
The Wysiwash Sanitizer and the solution it produces are completely safe for use on grass, plants, trees, etc.
Will Wysiwash damage surfaces?
Wysiwash can be used on a variety of surfaces including:
- Tile
- Cement
- Painted wood
- Plastics
- Glass
- Coated Metals (see below for details)
Will Wysiwash damage metal surfaces?
Avoid spraying copper, brass or metals prone to oxidation.
For other metals, Wysiwash will affect metal like regular water, if the Wysiwash unit is drained and used according to directions.
How often must I spray an area to prevent or clean mold and algae?
This really depends on how bad the mold and algae problem is and how much moisture is present. In most cases, spraying an area once per week as an inhibitor should be more than sufficient. To eliminate an existing algae/mold problem, consecutive applications over a period of days should get the user to a point where a weekly application is sufficient. Click here to read more.
I have noticed a white buildup inside the Sanitizer-V. What is it and what should I do about it?
The white substance is calcium, a by-product produced from the Wysiwash Sanitizer-V's internal process. This substance is completely harmless. Soaking the Sanitizer-V in white vinegar and then rinsing will remove the buildup:
- Carefully remove the Jacketed Caplet to store in a safe place.
- Make sure nozzle and valve are in an open position.
- Soak overnight, or as needed in white vinegar.
What is the shelf life of the caplets?
The Wysiwash Sanitizer Jacketed Caplets have an extended shelf life, losing only 5% efficacy in 18 months.
Can I store a bucket of Wysiwash Jacketed Caplets outside or in my garage?
We do not recommend storing Jacketed Caplets outside, in garages, or any other area that is likely to have significant temperature changes. Heat can damage the Jacketed Caplets. Store in a dry, cool and temperature controlled environment with good ventilation. Do not expose to high temperatures, flame or other sources of heat.
If I don't use my caplets for an extended time, are they still effective?
Absolutely! The Wysiwash Sanitizer Jacketed Caplets have an extended shelf life, losing only 3% efficacy in 18 months if left in the original bucket they are shipped in.
If a caplet was left in the Sanitizer-V after use and stored in ideal conditions (drained immediately after use, stored in a dry, temperature controlled space) then the caplet can be used for up to 3 months from the last use.
If a caplet left in the Sanitizer-V is still solid but storage conditions were less than ideal, it can be used for up to two months from the last use.
Does water temperature affect the Wysiwash Sanitizer in any way?
Practically speaking, no. Average hose water has a temperature of 50 to 80 degrees F. At this temperature range, performance of the Wysiwash solution will not be greatly altered. As a general rule, however, as water temperature drops, contact time should be increased. We recommend doubling the exposure time for each 10°C (18°F) drop in temperature below 24°C (75°F). Therefore, in extremely cold water, we suggest doubling the contact time to four minutes. Of course, with our no rinse system, this is not really a factor because the product is left until it evaporates.
Does the hardness of water affect the Wysiwash Sanitizer in any way?
No. Water hardness plays no role in the efficacy of Wysiwash.
What is the ORP measurement for Wysiwash solution?
Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) is related to the concentration of oxidizers or reducers in a solution, and their activity or strength. It provides an indication of the solution's ability to oxidize or reduce another material. In disinfection applications, the ORP value of the solution is more meaningful than milligrams per liter (mg/L) measurements of free residual chlorine or total chlorine. This is because the equilibrium between two forms of chlorine in the water shifts with changing pH. The molecular form of free chlorine in water is HOCl, or hypochlorous acid, a strong, fast-acting oxidizer. As the pH increases, the HOCl converts to its ionic form, OCl- (the hypochlorite ion), which is a weaker, slower acting oxidizer. The Wysiwash solution has an ORP measurement of approximately 750 millivolts (mV). An ORP of 650 mV has been proven by the World Health Organization to provide instantaneous E. coli destruction. Oxidation Reduction Potential measurements of between 650 mV and 700 mV are proven to be highly effective at killing dangerous pathogens almost instantaneously. This is yet another reason that Wysiwash is so effective!
How much caplet must remain in the unit to get the full sanitizing benefit?
Even if the Wysiwash Sanitizer has used 95% of the Wysiwash Jacketed Caplet, the sanitizing power is still more than adequate to meet our goal of producing a solution that falls within the USDA recommendations for a non-rinse sanitizer/disinfectant (between 50 - 200 ppm total chlorine).
What is the longevity of chlorine on a sprayed surface?
Chlorine is a highly volatile element, which is one of the reasons that it makes such a great disinfectant. Because of its volatility, chlorine "wants" to bond with other elements in order to stabilize. So, in essence, the chlorine in the Wysiwash solution bonds with another element (breaking apart microorganisms in the process), then together they form a safe organic compound. This process makes Wysiwash completely biodegradable. Evaporation, UV light, organic matter, and other substances present all play a role in the longevity of chlorine on surfaces. It is safe to say that when the Wysiwash solution is evaporated, the chlorine and related substances are gone as well.
Disinfectant Investigation, March/April 2009
Protocol:
Feline herpesvirus (FHV), feline calicivirus (FCV) and canine parvovirus (CPV) were propagated in cell culture to achieve significant viral titer. The virus-infected cultures were harvested, subjected to a freeze-thaw cycle, and the homogenous mixture was divided into 5 ml portions and frozen at -80C. An aliquot of the frozen virus was thawed and titrated according to standard procedure.
Titrated virus stock was diluted 1:100 in PBS to reduce the concentration of FBS (from 5% to .05%) thereby avoiding disinfectant inhibition. Ten ml of the diluted stock was mixed with an equal volume of 2x disinfectant (final pH after dissolution in water was 9.4) in a polypropylene tube (this would achieve a 1:200 final dilution of the virus stock, and 1X dilution or working concentration of the disinfectant). Contact was done at room temperature for 10 minutes. The solution was then dialyzed using 10,000 MWCO dialysis tubing and Hank’s balanced salt solution, through five buffer changes over a 48 hour period at 4C, to remove the disinfectant. The remaining solution (virus free of disinfectant; approximately 10ml total volume) was removed from the tubing and a portion was used to make 10-fold serial dilutions in DMEM. For FHV and FCV, each dilution was applied to CRFK cells in 96-well plates in five replicates. Comparing to original viral stock concentration, viral dilutions of 2x10-2 through 10-8 were titrated post disinfectant treatment. For CPV, viral propagation using dilutions of dialyzed virus were done in six-well plates in two replicates given that splitting (1:2) of cell cultures was required 24 hrs post-inoculation to enhance viral growth. In addition, titers of 10-3 through 10-7 and one uninoculated well were made for each replicate. Cell cultures were monitored for 5 days total (with day 1 being the day of inoculation). Resultant titers were determined based on cytopathic effects (FHV and FCV) or antigen detection by immunofluorescence (CPV).
Negative control consisted of water (FCV, FHV) or PBS (CPV) only (no disinfectant), while positive control utilized a 3% sodium hypochlorite solution.
|
A - Titer of Stock |
B - Post Wysiwash |
C- Viral Titer Post
Water/PBS |
D- Post Clorox |
| FHV |
106 |
No viral growth in lowest dilution tested
(to 2x10-2 – 1:200 dilution of original virus stock) |
104.5 |
No viral growth |
| FCV | 107 |
No viral growth in lowest dilution tested
(to 2x10-2 – 1:200 dilution of original virus stock) |
106 |
No viral growth |
| CPV |
107 (minimum) |
No viral growth in lowest dilution tested
(to 10-3 – 1:1000 dilution of original virus stock) |
107 | No viral growth |
From this investigation, this disinfectant was able to inactivate all viruses at least 4 logs. Compared to negative control, inactivation of 2.5-4 logs was achieved. Comparison can only be made to the negative control in order to account for loss of virus in processing.
As 1:200 or 1:1000 dilutions of virus stock were made both in preparation of, and by mixing with the disinfectant solution, complete inactivation of all virus present could not be assessed; i.e. direct mixing of concentrated virus stock with working solution of disinfectant was not made. This was necessitated by the protocol in order to remove inhibitory organic matter present in the cell-culture propagated stock. The conclusion from this experiment is that significant reduction in viral titer was achieved with the Wysiwash solution, and that it was comparable to Clorox in terms of efficacy.
All viruses consist of a protein shell surrounding the nucleic acid. Some viruses also have a lipid membrane surrounding this shell, in which proteins used for cellular attachment are embedded. Inactivation of viruses methods differ for enveloped vs nonenveloped viruses. For the former, removal of the lipid membrane is sufficient to render the virus noninfectious because the attachment proteins are lost. Thus, any solution with detergent activity is efficacious against these viruses, examples of which include influenza and HIV. For the nonenveloped viruses, inactivation generally requires an agent with oxidizing activity to alter the protein shell such that cellular attachment and infection cannot occur. Examples of these viruses include canine parvovirus, feline calicivirus, hepatitis A virus and norovirus. Disinfectants containing sodium hypochlorite have historically been used to inactivate these agents; this solution has drawbacks including its corrosive nature. A disinfectant with efficacy against the nonenveloped viruses without the disadvantages of sodium hypochlorite would be tremendously useful in many settings, including veterinary clinics and animal shelters.
To evaluate the efficacy of new disinfectants, we tested their effectiveness against viruses of three levels of hardiness: feline herpesvirus (a relatively labile enveloped virus), feline calicivirus (a hardy nonenveloped virus), and canine parvovirus (ostensibly the most environmentally stable virus). Working solution (final dilution when mixed 1:1 with virus stock) of the disinfectant mixed with each virus was incubated per the manufacturer’s recommendation, followed by dialysis to remove the disinfectant. The remaining solution was serially diluted and applied to cell culture to evaluate disinfectant efficacy. The Wysiwash solution was able to reduce the virus titer of all viruses at least 4 fold, and performed comparably to sodium hypochlorite.