Linens used to manage perineal care are often thrown into the trash instead of being properly sorted into blue bags for laundry processing. This means that periwipes, soaker pads, and facecloths are routinely sent to the landfill instead of being reused. There are, on average, 1,796 kilograms or nearly 4,000 pounds of periwipes alone disposed of each month, equal to the weight of a midsized SUV!

While it’s understandable to assume that linens that come into contact with human waste cannot be reused, they are washable. K-Bro Linen, the laundry services provider for the Saskatchewan health-care system, has a robust sustainability program and sources linen products that are robust and reusable. It is certified by non-profit organizations such as the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council that recognize health-system laundry facilities and has extremely high standards for patient safety and infection prevention.

“We take very specific steps to clean these important products that health-system patients rely on,” says Barb Lewis, General Manager for K-Bro.

She explains periwipe linens are separated from other linens to be washed using a specific formula of cleaning products. They are washed at more than 70 degrees Celsius and dried at more than 121 degrees Celsius for sufficient time to fully sanitize the products. 

For K-Bro, offering reusable periwipes ensures that Saskatchewan patients are properly looked after at all times.

“It takes just one small step to ensure patients have the linens they need when they need them and staff do not experience shortages of these vital products,” adds Lewis.