[Scuderia_Turini]

Hello everybody,
If you are a WWSCC listener you will have heard north Americans talk about cleaning tracks using a "swiffer" cloth. Has anyone found the UK equivalent?
I have spent a lot of time in Tesco cleaner aisles but not found what looks like the same thing. Have seen Swiffer cloths and wands on Amazon but would appreciate a steer from anyone who has actually bought the UK equivalent. 

Leo

[Graham]

Hello everybody,
If you are a WWSCC listener you will have heard north Americans talk about cleaning tracks using a "swiffer" cloth. Has anyone found the UK equivalent?
I have spent a lot of time in Tesco cleaner aisles but not found what looks like the same thing. Have seen Swiffer cloths and wands on Amazon but would appreciate a steer from anyone who has actually bought the UK equivalent. 

Leo

I believe that the ‘dry’ Swiffer Cloths are basically a microfibre mop head cloths which are available from various other suppliers. But there are or were also ‘wet’ Swiffer Cloths for sale in NA which were impregnate with an anti freeze solvent. I have read that these are more controversial as the chemical is said to potentially cause hand irritation and harmful by inhalation. So probably these so called ‘wet’ cloths would not be permitted under the European strict control of harmful chemicals.

[merkit the grof]

Widely available from all?? French supermarkets and Amazon France.
   

Joel

[Kevan]

Yes, plenty on Amazon and plenty of equivalents (much cheaper) on Temu.

[Graham]

Might well be that they are now using a different impregnating solvent which is acceptable for the European market, as definately anti freeze solvent chemicals would not be permitted for this type of household application here.

After abit of research it would appear the Impregnatiing Solvent is less hazardous than was implied.

[/url][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75)]
[url=https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=a9e09304be97906673d40696849f4c049ad25c3056b5b2a629eccdd130dfd465JmltdHM9MTc4ODIyMDgwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=13c17a01-b29e-6bac-11dd-6cb0b3256af4&u=a1L2NvcGlsb3RzZWFyY2g_cT1pcytwcm9weWxlbmUrZ2x5Y29sK2J1dHlsK2V0aGVyK2hhemFyZG91cyZmb3JtPUNTQlJBTkQ&ntb=1][/color]Propylene glycol butyl ether (PGBE) is generally considered to have a favorable toxicological profile compared to older glycol ethers, but safe handling and exposure control are essential.

Summary
While PGBE is less toxic than older glycol ethers, it can cause irritation and systemic effects at high exposures. Key safety measures include using personal protective equipment, ensuring proper ventilation, avoiding ingestion or inhalation, and following proper storage and disposal practices. When handled according to industrial hygiene standards, PGBE is considered safe for use in research, industrial, and cosmetic applications

So for using as a hand wipe, I would expect there to be a Warning somewhere on the packaging to the need to wear protechtive gloves and use in a well ventilated environment, but of course these wipes are meant to be used on the end of a mop head ?

[merkit the grof]

Not sure who we are trying to scare here or why. I am no P&G fan but here is some bumpf about Swiffer found on the web:
   
I see no life threatening chemical here.


Joel

[Graham]

No scare intentions on my part intended, but there was such scares raised in the US media about the use of these Wiffer impregnated wipes due to the type of Alkyl Ethoxylate or as claimed “anti freeze” type chemical. 

However having explored the actual Health & Safety sheet details, it appears that the actual Alkyl Ethoxylate chemical ( polybuylglycol ether) is a safer derivative widely used. And depending on its content level when mixed with the other ingredients may or may not present a handling issue, I would think it’s abit like window cleaner actually where the user is recommended to use synthetic gloves when applying.

In fact the Wiffer product is basically very similar to a modern window cleaner solutions sprayed onto dry microfibre wipes.

[Scuderia_Turini]

Thank you Joel, for your super-helpful response to my question. 

Leo

[dvd3500]

No scare intentions on my part intended, but there was such scares raised in the US media about the use of these Wiffer impregnated wipes due to the type of Alkyl Ethoxylate or as claimed “anti freeze” type chemical. 

However having explored the actual Health & Safety sheet details, it appears that the actual Alkyl Ethoxylate chemical ( polybuylglycol ether) is a safer derivative widely used. And depending on its content level when mixed with the other ingredients may or may not present a handling issue, I would think it’s abit like window cleaner actually where the user is recommended to use synthetic gloves when applying.

In fact the Wiffer product is basically very similar to a modern window cleaner solutions sprayed onto dry microfibre wipes.

What?!?!The media reporting on something with half-baked and con strewed info? No way!!!!1