It’s beginning to look a lot like…back-to-school season! While things certainly are not the same around the world, there’s a little taste of normalcy in that kids and teachers are actually headed back to school this year.
Pandemic or not, this season of transition historically stirs up a mixed bag of excitement, anxiety, and anticipation. For many families, getting into a set routine after a relaxing summer can be a struggle of its own, let alone doing so with the added uncertainties of this year. Regardless, parents and teachers share the same goal: to create and foster an environment where students can grow academically, socially, and personally.
Antimicrobial products for the classroom this year
Something at the top of mind for a lot of educators and parents is the cleanliness of school environments. The high traffic areas of schools combined with the exchangeable and shareable nature of supplies and desks has always been a struggle to overcome. Elementary school classrooms were tested for bacteria levels in a study done by Dr. Charles Gerba[1] at the University of Arizona, where keyboards and mice were found to contain 200 times more bacteria than that of a toilet seat. Among other results, common touchpoints like pencil sharpeners, faucet handles, and water fountain toggles were found to have the most bacteria.
Teachers’ classroom wish-lists say it all with annual requests for items like disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizers, boxes of tissues, and more, in an effort to create cleaner school environments. With the amount of student traffic each day, it can be hard to keep educational spaces looking and feeling clean. Things get dirty. It’s just a part of life – but it never hurts to level up cleanliness to provide some added reassurance and peace of mind in the classroom.
Products manufactured with a built-in antimicrobial technology like Microban® can be an ideal choice for the classroom environment. Whether in shared equipment like calculators or desks, or personal supplies like folders and stationary tools, the added feature of antimicrobial product protection keeps products cleaner, fresher, and longer lasting, without washing off or wearing away.
Ace back-to-school shopping with Microban®
From getting the perfect first-day-outfit to upgrading their tech, equipping students and stocking classrooms with the right supplies can make all the difference starting the year out strong. When back-to-school shopping this year, check out some of our favorite products enhanced with built-in Microban® antimicrobial technology:
Continental Accessory Corp. – Antimicrobial Folders, Notebooks, Binders, and more
In sleek, fashionable colors and designs, U Style® Collections by Continental Accessory offers stationary school supplies with a built-in layer of Microban® antimicrobial technology. Preserving cleanliness and durability, U Style spiral notebooks, binders, composition books, folders, and pencil pouches are a back-to-school essential for students and teachers.
Fellowes® – Antimicrobial Computer Mice, Keyboards, Mousepads, and more
Protecting the products we so frequently use but rarely clean, Fellowes partners with Microban on keyboard and computer accessories with built-in antimicrobial product protection. Mice, mouse pads, wrist supports, and keyboard managers from Fellowes are continuously protected from the growth of stain and odor causing bacteria, mold, and mildew.
Verbatim™ – Antimicrobial USB Flash Drives
Have confidence in the security of your files and the cleanliness of your storage device with Verbatim USB Flash Drives treated with Microban antimicrobial technology. Whether sharing academic projects or saving precious memories, Verbatim USB drives are protected from the inside out, ensuring quality and durability.
California Innovations – Antimicrobial Lunch Bags and Coolers
The perfect lunch box upgrade: ArcticZone® by California Innovations antimicrobial treated lunch bags. With color options for kids, teachers, and parents, these lunch bags have a style for everyone in the family. Featuring an added layer of built-in Microban product protection, the inside stays fresh and clean, fighting against the growth of bacteria, mold, and odors.
Speck® – Antimicrobial Tablet and Smart Phone Cases
Keep your devices like smart phones and tablets protected as they rest in backpacks, lockers, or desks with Speck Products antimicrobial cases. For iPhone and Android products, Speck offers sleek, durable cases in a variety of colors treated with Microban technology to stay inherently cleaner and fresher.
Rubbermaid – Antimicrobial Food Storage Containers
Rubbermaid EasyFindLids™ food storage containers are the perfect way to keep your busy weeks organized. From meal prep to packed lunches, Rubbermaid food storage containers were designed so that your space and time is optimized. Featuring built-in Microban antimicrobial technology, these containers resist the growth of stain and odor causing bacteria, preserving cleanliness and durability.
Proctor & Gamble – Microban 24 Hour Sanitizing Spray
Microban 24 Hour Sanitizing Spray is an ideal choice to stock classrooms with this year. Unlike traditional sanitizers, Microban 24 Hour has residual disinfecting sanitizing properties to keep killing bacteria for 24 hours* on surfaces even after multiple touches, so desks, tables, and other common classroom touchpoints stay cleaner for longer, touch after touch.* It is also approved to initially kill the virus that causes COVID-19**.
Products with built-in Microban® antimicrobial technology experience longer usable lifetimes and quality that lasts. Antimicrobial products are an ideal choice for educational environments so schools and parents can have greater peace of mind and confidence in their purchases, while contributing to less waste and budgetary dollars needed to replace products prematurely year over year.
From office accessories to personal devices, antimicrobial products stay cleaner and fresher, complementing existing routines and contributing to a systems approach to clean – an ideal solution for classrooms this year.
If you’re looking to add Microban® technology into your product lines, contact a team member today to learn more about how to partner with Microban.
[1] Bright KR, Boone SA, Gerba CP. Occurrence of bacteria and viruses on elementary classroom surfaces and the potential role of classroom hygiene in the spread of infectious diseases. J Sch Nurs. 2010 Feb;26(1):33-41. doi: 10.1177/1059840509354383. Epub 2009 Nov 10. PMID: 19903773. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19903773/)
*When used as directed, effective against Staphylococcus aureus & Enterobacter aerogenes bacteria for 24 hours.
**Microban 24 does not provide 24-hour residual protection against any viruses.
