Regenerable cleaning implement for sanitizing a surface
The invention relates to a reusable cleaning implement for cleaning and sanitizing a surface. More specifically, the cleaning implement is made of a tacky polymeric material and an antibacterial agent is distributed within the polymer. The adhesive and antibacterial properties of the cleaning implement are regenerated by contact with a cleansing agent.
1. A method to clean a surface with a cleaning implement, comprising the steps of:
a. contacting the implement comprising a polymer having an adhesive strength with a surface;
b. cleaning debris from the surface;
c. transferring an antibacterial agent to the surface;
d. contacting the implement with a cleansing agent to decrease the adhesive strength and remove the debris; and
e. drying the implement and thereby regenerating the adhesive strength and antibacterial agent.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of sanitizing the surface.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer has a cohesive strength and the cohesive strength of the polymer is at least five times greater than the adhesive strength of the polymer.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the adhesive strength ranges from about 0.3 lb/f to about 0.5 lb/f by the method described herein when the polymer is clean and dry.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer is a tacky elastomeric polymer plasticized by the antibacterial agent, which is an organic liquid.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the liquid antibacterial is a natural essential oil.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the antibacterial is a natural essential oil.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the antibacterial agent is present in an amount of about 0.01% to about 20% weight.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the antibacterial agent is homogenously distributed within the polymer.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer further comprises a plasticizing oil and optionally a tackifier.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer further comprises a surfactant.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid cleansing agent is selected from the group consisting of water and a surfactant containing water.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the implement is attached to a base.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the base is a non-woven.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning implement releases the antibacterial agent upon compression.