If you follow us on our social media or if you frequently read our blog, you will surely have learned about our body dryer's antibacterial treatment based on silver ions, which aims to prevent the growth and reproduction of bacteria; but the question is: what is it and how does it work? And, in particular, how is it applied, and is it necessary for Valiryo to have this treatment? Let's answer these questions.
Starting with the final question: no, Valiryo does not need to have this antibacterial treatment, nor is it required by any regulation. We decided to implement it to give our body dryer an extra anti-germ boost. And why doesn't it need it?
Valiryo has been designed to ensure that water never stays stagnant on its surface, as it always slides downwards. In this way, bacteria cannot proliferate in it. With the antibacterial treatment, we also make sure to repel any pathogenic agent that may be contained in the environment and may adhere to the surface of Valiryo, as well as the possible contamination that may be caused by the use of Valiryo by various people who, for example, may touch the column with dirty hands. The antimicrobial protection allows 80% of the bacteria to be eliminated within 15 minutes after contamination and the rest almost completely disappears within 2 hours. This makes Valiryo completely safe for use in public areas.
How does antibacterial treatment work?
The implementation of antibacterial treatments is increasingly common in many industries (food, small household appliances, air conditioning systems...) and all of them share the use of silver ions in the matrix material of the product or in its coating as a complementary measure to its regular cleaning.
Silver ions are a wide-spectrum antimicrobial that have a reliable effect against a large number of microbes such as bacteria and fungi. The ions get inside the cell and eliminate all its ability to grow and reproduce, thus preventing the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. As a result, the final product is protected against microbial attack and prevents the formation of unpleasant odors.
How is an antibacterial treatment applied?
Silver ions are added to materials at the manufacturing stage, which results in a high concentration of silver ions on the surface of the product. In our case, during the fabrication of Valiryo, we use an additive (VIBATAN PS BACTERIOSTATIC 02687) that contains silver ions dispersed in polystyrene and provides this continuous antimicrobial protection throughout the life of the product, generating an aseptic zone around the product.
After the treatment, the silver ions are caught in the matrix of the material, and, in contrast to other chemical disinfectants, they act in a continuous and lasting way. Therefore, the ions are never removed from the material. It is important to emphasize that they are completely harmless to us and are not harmful to the environment. The antimicrobial properties of silver have actually been known for thousands of years: the Persians, Greeks, and Romans used silver to transport and store water and also to conserve food. In fact, it was for the same reason that silver cutlery began to be produced back then. During the same era, thanks to the father of medicine, Hippocrates, silver plates were applied to improve wound healing.
This treatment enhances Valiryo's hygiene, especially in areas where various persons use the same device to dry themselves. Discover all the benefits of drying with Valiryo as well as the importance of optimal drying.