Moms, especially those with babies, take extra measures to ensure that every nook and cranny of the house is clean and germ-free. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted all the more our obsessive desire to keep the house squeaky clean and sanitized so that viruses cannot thrive in our home. Aside from deep cleaning, it’s become essential to also disinfect surfaces and belongings to kill pathogens.
No wonder UV sterilizers quickly flew off the shelves and were top-selling products in many online shops. But what really is the technology behind UV sterilizers? Are they safe and effective?
According to the Stanford Solar Center, Ultraviolet or UV light is an electromagnetic radiation that is not visible to the human eye. Scientists categorize UV light into three subtypes: UV-A light (the least harmful and used in artistic and celebratory designs as it can cause a colored glowing effect in objects), UV-B light (which causes sunburns with prolonged exposure), and UV-C light.
UV sterilizers use UV-C light as this is “commonly used as a disinfectant in food, air, and water to kill microorganisms by destroying their cells' nucleic acids.” It helps damage the DNA or RNA of a pathogen, and can damage the amino acids that protect a virus. In case you didn’t know, hospitals have been using UV light to disinfect surgical sites and other areas for many years now.
Here are other things you should know about UV sterilizers, in case you’re thinking of buying one.
1. They are cost-efficient.
Before you think UV sterilizers can be costly because they use technology instead of chemicals, look at how much time and money you’ll save over the years because of low maintenance requirements and operational costs. Overall, it’s an affordable sanitization tool.
2. They are claimed to be able to inactivate the dreaded coronavirus.
We’ve all become totally praning after experiencing the worst pandemic in modern history, and we want to ensure that every item we bring inside the house is disinfected.
Did you know that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine claim that UVC light has been shown to quickly inactivate the novel coronavirus. According to them, “In a few laboratory experiments, UVC light has been found to destroy the ability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to infect a host (for example, a mouse or a person), another indication that it is effective against germs. UVC light has also been shown to inactivate the genetic material in other coronaviruses.”
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) also said that "UVC radiation may also be effective in inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is the virus that causes the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, currently there is limited published data about the wavelength, dose, and duration of UVC radiation required to inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus."
Note though that this should not be a replacement for other preventive measures, such as proper handwashing, wearing of face masks, and social distancing.
3. They should be used with caution.
While UV sterilizers are a reliable tool, they should be used with caution. Never use it on your skin or any part of your body, and avoid exposure to the eyes. Avoid looking at it directly and move everything—including plants, people, and your pets—out of the area to be disinfected.
4. They should be out of reach of kids and pets.
Just like with other cleaning materials made of chemicals, UV sterilizers should be kept out of reach of children and pets, as they may play with them without you noticing. Remember that they should be used with caution.
5. Some types are portable.
If you need to leave the house and are worried about how to disinfect your belongings, a portable UV sterilizer is your best bet. It allows you to clean surfaces and your kid’s stuff anytime, anywhere.
6. They come in different shapes and sizes.
There are already a good variety of UV sterilizer options in the market, and you can choose one depending on the purpose you want it to serve. There are tiny ones that can disinfect smaller items like your mobile phone (which you should really be sanitizing!) and personal belongings. There are portable ones that you can use to clean surfaces such as your desktop and door handles. Some of the bigger ones can accommodate baby bottles and toys.
So, thinking of getting one for your home? Here are some UV sterilizers you can consider:
UV Care Multipurpose Sterilizer: Its 33-liter volume capacity lets you sterilize multiple items—anything from gadgets, jewelries, parcels, makeup accessories, books and documents, groceries, and dry goods—at the same time. Its interior is made out of reflective stainless steel material so the UV rays will bounce around the inside of the unit, making sure that all items are well-sterilized even if the item is not placed directly under the UV light.
Ecomom 100 Dual UV Sterilizer: This sterilizer can help kill 99.9% of bacteria on any items you need to disinfect. It comes with a UV sterilizing power, patented anion feature, a PTC heater for drying, and a storage and stand-by light function. You’ll also enjoy a one-year warranty.
Health Guard Portable Folding UV Sterilizer UV-500: This portable UV light sterilizer offers a convenient way to disinfect home essentials such as baby bottles, toys, surfaces, and electronic devices among others. You can bring it anywhere—plus it also boasts a 99.99% sterilizing rate. This sterilizer is powered by a battery or a USB cable.
Mono Portable UV Sterilizer: Yet another portable option you can use at home and even bring when you travel, the Mono Portable UV Sterilizer has a 99.99% sterilization and deodorization rate, has a double disinfection capability, and offers a 10-minute disinfection time. It’s also designed with a built-in battery, with a charging time of just 2 hours.
Health Guard UVC LED Sterilization Bag: With its 3-minute rapid disinfection, it’s a perfect sterilizer for people on the go. You can disinfect your car keys, house keys, mobile, and wallet here. Its double-layer deep UVC LED lights allow for physical disinfection without chemical residues.
UVi Buddy Dual 2.0 UV Sterilizer and Dryer: Want a sterilizer and dryer in one? This UVi Buddy Dual UV Sterilizer is the perfect choice for your home. It is equipped with two 4W Philips UVC Lamps, UVi Buddy UV Sterilizer & Dryer and is proven to kill 99.9% bacteria too. Its features include four user-friendly modes—Auto, Drying, Disinfect, and Safekeep—and has a washable mesh inlet filter to keep dust from building up. For moms with babies, it also allows you to store up to 12 feeding bottles while consuming minimal counter space, making it worth your every buck.
Health Guard UVC Smart Toilet Sterilizer: The toilet is one of the must-clean areas in your home, and now you don’t have to put in too much effort doing that. Let this wireless toilet sterilizer that can destroy odor-causing bacteria be your sanitizing and disinfecting buddy.
UV Care Pocket Sterilizer: Probably one of the most popular pocket sterilizers among moms, it eliminates up to 99.9% of harmful germs, bacteria, viruses, allergens and molds using UV-C light technology. Featuring a lightweight and easy-to-use clamshell design, it can sanitize mobile phones, gadgets, keyboards, door knobs, toys, pacifiers, high chairs and countertops.
