Comments on: Do Antibacterial Towels Like Norwex BacLock Work Safely?

By: Rori

Rori — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 17:31:43 +0000

As mentioned by another commenter, the silver that is in Norwex cloths is NOT nanosilver, it is microsilver which is a very different thing and also EPA approved. It does not leach out of the cloths like nanosilver and it is actually fused into the fibers the cloths are made from rather than just coating the fibers. Because microsilver particles are are larger than nanosilver, they will not penetrate skin cells, so even if any did leach out, it is not a concern for your skin and is the same as what is used in silver containing ointments and dressings that are used for wound care. As you state in this article, it is for self-cleaning purposes in the cloth only and does not kill bacteria on your surfaces, but the density of the microfiber in Norwex cloths which is made from fibers that are the size of 1/200th of a human hair, has the ability to remove 99% of bacteria from your surfaces mechanically and traps that bacteria in the cloth until you rinse it out. When you hang the cloth to dry, the microsilver then goes to work on any bacteria left in the cloth by interfering with its ability to replicate and it suffocates it and the bacteria die.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 12:36:51 +0000

A few thoughts…

You’re supported by ads for toxic cleaning chemicals but challenging the long-term safety of using fabrics that contain silver? Reallly?

The article’s info and cited sources are interchanging nano silver/ionic silver and microsilver. Norwex uses microsilver, which is MUCH larger than ionic silver and doesn’t carry the same risk of permeating the skin. Even with nanosilver, it would likely be more of an issue if it were directly applied to the skin like in the study you cited. I’m still not seeing how you made the leap to silver in the cloths affecting the skin with prolonged use.

Also, where are you coming up with these cloths releasing silver ions? My understanding is it’s embedded in the fibers and the bacteria simply comes into contact with it. I would love to see any legitimate information to the contrary. But even if you are right about that part, it’s still not ionic silver so I wouldn’t personally be concerned.

Norwex has submitted many of their cloths for testing and received class 1 (the most strict of three classes) OEKO-TEX certification, which involves rigorous safety testing of textile products.

The article talks about how colloidal silver and nanoparticles couldn’t possibly work on viruses because of the mechanism of how silver works and because viruses don’t have a cell wall. The article literally says it hasn’t been tested on viruses but you’re assuming it wouldn’t work. It took me about 30 seconds to find a study testing nanosilver on viruses and finding it effective, specifically mentioning HIV and the virus that causes COVID-19.

I appreciate that there are sources cited and the author seems to have put some decent effort into trying to explain this issue. But it seems there is some incorrect and some misleading information, and the sources don’t particularly back up these arguments.

By: Mt

Mt — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 09:14:13 +0000

Actually, epa did release a statemwnt saying that micro fiber does indeed remove 93% of viruses. You also have to relize and know how viruses work. They require hoat cells, such as bacteria or other cells in order to reproduce. If you remove those cells, such as the 99% that norwex does remove, the virus has nothing to use as a host. The droplets we breathe out when infected are MASSIVE in size and have no issue being picked up by nourwex cloth.

Second, those swabs tests tou see them do, those swabs test are used in hospitals to test if surgical equipment is ready to be used on skin. You wouldnt want viruses on surgical equipment would you?

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 01:39:56 +0000

In reply to Melissa. Hi Melissa, no where in the literature that comes with the product I've ordered does it state that rubbing the cloth against itself in hot water will wash away the bacteria. If you have something official from Norwex that states this please direct me to it, as I am trying to determine how effective the bac-lock technology really is.

By: Superfoodly

Superfoodly — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 22:01:35 +0000

In reply to Cindy. Not safe if your skin touches it before drying. Hydrogen peroxide mutates DNA. It is frequently used as a positive control for comparing mutagenicity in lab studies.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 13:05:02 +0000

Can hydrogen peroxide be used to sterilize?
One of the most economical and safe ways to disinfect is with hydrogen peroxide. It offers a natural way to sanitize your home without using dangerous and toxic chemicals. Hydrogen peroxide has antibacterial and antiviral qualities and works better than white vinegar, rubbing alcohol and acetic acid.Dec 12, 2019

By: Cindy

Cindy — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 13:02:03 +0000

Is Clorox dangerous?
Clorox bleach can be harmful to humans if ingested or inhaled, or if it stays on the skin for too long. According to the EPA’s Materials Data Safety Sheet, if Clorox makes prolonged contact with the skin, it can cause skin irritation.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 15:42:15 +0000

Hi there! This is a great article about the BacLock and how it inhibits bacterial growth in the cloth between uses. I just wanted to clarify that when using the cloth to clean, the purpose is not to kill any microbes, but to remove them. It’s a difference between mechanical and chemical cleaning. The microfiber of Norwex cloths is mechanically removing dirt, bacteria, etc. from the surface. Currently, the technology available for official testing that is recognized by government agencies to allow claims can only test for bacteria. Norwex cloths have been tested to remove up to 99% of bacteria from a surface. You then wash it away when you rinse out the cloth (rubbing it against itself) in hot water. The BacLock then goes to work when you hang it up to dry so it can be used again later. I’ve probably gone on too long, but wanted to be clear. :)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 02:40:25 +0000

Please tell your customers that these face masks do NOT kill Covid19 virus as some purchasers are claiming.

By: Vicki

Vicki — Sun, 18 Aug 2019 22:00:53 +0000

Norwex BacLock is not nanosilver, which is the silver mentioned in the article. It is microsilver–very different–and is EPA approved. Norwex makes no claims that its BacLock cleans food areas–it is the microfiber itself that mechanically cleans 99% of germs/bacteria from a service, and the BacLock’s purpose is to self-purify the cloth, as this article affirms.