New report: In preschools, this Swedish drying cabinet can inactivate viruses
The classic drying cabinet from Swedish manufacturer Nimo can now add an unexpected area of use that may benefit the preschools' activities. The heat in a specific drying cabinet can make certain viruses on textiles no longer contagious. According to a study carried out by the Swedish Research Institute, RISE, on behalf of Nimo, it was established that with the right handling, both the common norovirus (winter vomiting disease) and Sars-CoV-2 (corona) are inactivated by the heat in Nimo's drying cabinet Easy Dryer 1900.
“We have always known that high heat is necessary to impregnate different materials, and that the heat can remove some vermin from clothes. It was not the intention that the drying cabinet would be able to remove viruses, but it is a nice added value that I hope can benefit all preschool activities”, says Karin Kruse, CEO of Nimo.
The Swedish company Nimo manufactures drying cabinets, washbasins and equipment for taking care of clothes and textiles. The company, which is one of Sweden's largest suppliers of drying cabinets to the country's schools, commissioned the research institute RISE Research Institutes of Sweden to investigate whether Nimo's best-selling drying cabinets for preschools had any effect on the virus variants that are commonly found in preschool environments.
“The drying cabinet is practical, energy-efficient and an important part in 3keeping children dry during rainy or wet days. Since the heat that develops in the drying cabinet could have hygienic effects, we wanted to know if, or to what extent, it could be a valuable contribution to the school environment”, says Karin Kruse.
Erik Nygren is the research leader at RISE who, together with Lars Hamberg at RISE, carried out the study and wrote the report ‘Dry heat inactivation of pathogens in dryer cabinet assessed by modeling’.
“The most common infectious microorganisms in childcare environments attack the airways and stomach. We wanted to investigate whether it is possible to inactivate such pathogens on commonly used textiles among children in childcare environments, especially since these viruses also affect staff, families, close relatives and the whole community”, says Erik Nygren at RISE.
The study gives unambiguous results and is part of Nimo's overall strategy to offer the market innovative and sustainable clothing care. “We want to do more studies on this to further ensure reliability. The idea of having drying cabinets in preschools to heat-treat blankets, bibs, towels or other textiles that can be negative in the sense of spreading infection is very interesting”, says Karin Kruse, CEO of Nimo.
For further information
Karin Kruse, CEO Nimo, +46 (0) 506-488 02, karin.kruse@nimoverken.com
Magnus Sjöbäck, press officer Nimo, +46 (0) 70-445 15 99, magnus.sjoback@nimoverken.com
Nimo offers energy efficient drying cabinets, sinks and technical accessories for the laundry room to retailers, wholesalers and consumers in the Nordic region. The business started in 1944, has a turnover of SEK 200 million and currently employs 100 dedicated staff. Nimos factory is located in Hova, Sweden. www.nimoverken.com
