The Rise of Disposable Products in Health Care Cleaning and Linens

Hospital Linens

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Introduction: A Shift to Single-Use Solutions

Health care facilities are increasingly transitioning to disposable cleaning tools and linens, ranging from microfiber cloths and mop pads to cubicle curtains and operating room (OR) linens. This trend spans various settings, including patient rooms, emergency departments, surgical suites, and medical office buildings.

The shift is driven by multiple factors: heightened infection control needs, efficiency demands, sustainability goals, and cost considerations. Modern microfiber, for instance, has been recognized as an essential tool in infection control programs, underscoring the critical role disposable options play in maintaining hospital hygiene.

Hygiene and Infection Control Advantages

One of the most compelling arguments for disposables is infection prevention. Reusable textiles and tools can harbor pathogens despite laundering or cleaning. A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that within one week, 92% of hospital privacy curtains tested were contaminated with bacteria such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci.¹ This contamination poses a risk, as healthcare workers can transfer these microbes via hand contact. Traditionally, curtains were changed only when visibly soiled, but invisible bacteria accumulate much earlier.

In contrast, disposable privacy curtains can be replaced frequently, even between patients, effectively interrupting the cycle of germ accumulation and cross-transmission. Antimicrobial disposable curtains have demonstrated significantly lower bacterial contamination over extended periods. In one study, antimicrobial/sporicidal curtains had virtually no contamination (0.56 CFU) compared to 32.6 CFU on standard curtains after 20 weeks.³ Researchers concluded these curtains provide a “passive infection prevention” benefit and recommended their facility-wide adoption to reduce infection risks.³

Disposable microfiber cloths and mops similarly enhance infection control. Each is used on a single surface or room and then discarded, eliminating the chance of spreading bacteria between patient areas. This ensures that the risk of cross-contamination is limited. The fine microfiber material excels at picking up microbes and dirt, reportedly removing up to 99.99% of tested pathogens from surfaces.⁴

Single-use products in high-risk areas such as isolation rooms and surgical suites add a safety layer by guaranteeing a sterile item every time. In the operating room (OR), disposable linens—such as drapes, sheets, and gowns—eliminate concerns about laundering or degradation. A key, yet often-overlooked, benefit is the reduction of lint and particulates in the sterile field. Reusable fabrics can shed microfibers, compromising the surgical environment. Disposable OR linens are engineered to be low-linting and nonshedding, helping prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) and maintaining a controlled operative setting.⁸

Sustainability: Reducing Laundry and Resource Use

While the term “disposable” might suggest increased waste, there are compelling sustainability and compliance considerations that favor single-use products in health care.

1. Resource conservation: Hospitals launder vast quantities of linens, mops, and cloths daily—consuming water, energy, and detergents. According to Practice Greenhealth, hospital laundries are among the largest water consumers in healthcare facilities.⁶ By transitioning to single-use, hospitals can substantially reduce water and energy usage by transitioning to single-use, supporting environmental goals.
2. Regulatory compliance: In-house laundries must adhere to CDC and OSHA regulations regarding wash temperatures, chemical concentrations, and decontamination procedures. The CDC recommends laundering health care linens at 160°F (71°C) for at least 25 minutes. Many hospitals outsource laundry to manage compliance, but this introduces transportation emissions and quality assurance concerns, especially if vendors are not certified to deliver “hygienically clean” textiles.⁷
3. Accreditation and standards: Organizations such as the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) establish rigorous standards for processing health care textiles. HLAC-accredited laundries are required to follow strict quality control and microbiological testing protocols. However, not all outsourced laundries are HLAC-accredited, leaving some hospitals with linens that may not meet clinical cleanliness standards.⁷
4. Operational efficiency and infection control: Disposables eliminate the need for laundering altogether, reducing the environmental footprint while ensuring consistent infection control. Each item is single-use, eliminating the chance for cross-contamination and making disposables especially useful in high-risk units, such as intensive care units and ORs.

Operational Benefits and Efficiency

Disposables bring a host of operational benefits. The most immediate is speed and ease of use. Environmental hygiene staff can swap out a soiled curtain or mop head in minutes, without waiting for clean inventory to be delivered from laundry services. This is especially valuable in emergency departments or surgical centers, where rapid room turnover is critical.

Using disposable linens and drapes in the OR also shortens turnover time between cases. Staff simply remove and dispose of used materials, replacing them with fresh, sterile items, thereby eliminating the need for complex restocking or tracking.

Supply chain and training efficiencies also improve. There is less need to track laundry inventory or train staff on complex linen handling procedures. The protocol is simple: Use once and discard properly. This reduces the risk of procedural errors.

Staff safety is another advantage. Disposable curtain systems (including those with hookless or lightweight panel designs) are easier to manage. A recent study noted that switching to antimicrobial disposable curtains reduced physical strain and increased safety for EVS staff.³ Reducing the frequency of heavy lifting or laundry bag hauling also improves ergonomics and job satisfaction.

Cost-Effectiveness and Design Flexibility

Although single-use items may appear more expensive upfront, many facilities find them to be cost-effective in the long term. When considering the total cost of ownership, disposables reduce:

• Laundry service contracts and utility bills
• Labor hours spent changing, counting, or restocking linens
• Infection costs (eg, reduced HAIs)
• Wear-and-tear on floors and equipment

Disposable microfiber systems, such as those offered by Contec. Their microfiber mops and wipes are engineered for high-performance pathogen removal, while being safe on floor finishes and cost-effective through controlled usage systems.⁴ Many disposable microfiber products reduce water and chemical usage while increasing surface coverage and cleaning efficiency.

Design flexibility is another win. Disposables come in various colors, materials, and prints, making it easy to visually differentiate units or update spaces. Many disposable curtains feature built-in tracking, like install date labels or QR codes.

Companies like On The Right Track have developed patented, QR-enabled curtain tracking systems. Their software allows EVS and infection prevention teams to digitally scan curtains, schedule replacements, and run compliance reports—bringing curtain management into the digital age.

Hospitals that leverage bulk purchasing contracts for disposable items also achieve lower per-unit costs and often report improved inventory control and fewer product shortages.

Conclusion: Widespread Adoption and Best Practices

From cleaning surfaces to outfitting patient rooms and surgical suites, disposables are becoming integral to modern health care. Their growing use reflects a clear shift in priorities:

• Better infection prevention
• Faster turnover
• Reduced water and chemical use
• Simplified training
• Lower total costs
• Safer for patients and staff

Whether you are managing an outpatient clinic, a surgical center, or an academic medical campus, disposables are proving to be a practical and scalable solution. With the proper training, sourcing strategy, and waste management protocols, these products help bridge the gap between infection control, sustainability, and operational excellence.

As health care continues to evolve, disposable microfiber tools, linens, and curtains are no longer just a trend—they are a best practice.

References

1. Ohl M, Schweizer M, Graham M, et al. Hospital privacy curtains are frequently and rapidly contaminated with potentially pathogenic bacteria. Am J Infect Control. 2012;40(10):904-906. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2011.12.018
2. Muto CA, Jernigan JA, Ostrowsky BE, et al. SHEA guideline for preventing nosocomial transmission of multidrug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2003;24(5):362-386. doi:10.1086/502213
3. Goyal S, Stone PW, Dowling M, et al. Disposable privacy curtains with antimicrobial properties: cost-effectiveness and impact on hospital-associated infections. Am J Infect Control. 2023;51(7):601-607. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2023.04.012
4. Rubbermaid Commercial Products. The significant role disposable microfiber products play in infection prevention. Rubbermaid Commercial website. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://www.rubbermaidcommercial.com.au/blog/healthcare/the-significant-role-disposable-microfibre-products-play-in-infection-prevention.
5. CDC. Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008). Appendix D: Linen and Laundry. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/environmental/appendix/d.html. Accessed April 20, 2025.
6. Practice Greenhealth. Water: where sustainability starts. Practice Greenhealth website. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://practicegreenhealth.org/topics/water/water.
7. HLAC (Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council). Accreditation standards. HLAC website. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://hlacnet.org/standards.
8. Infection Control Today. Disposable products enhance infection prevention efforts. Infect Control Today. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/disposable-products-enhance-infection-prevention-efforts.