Glo Germ™ is the original visual aid for teaching proper handwashing, aseptic techniques, and general infection control. The product is available in liquid and powder form.
Glo Germ™ is a line of fluorescent indicators available in liquid or solid powder form. They are used in conjunction with ultraviolet (UV) light to verify the effectiveness of hand and surface cleaning. The product was invented in 1968 by Dean Luxton in California and is now sold worldwide.
Glo Germ™ plays a key role in hand hygiene training and has also seen increasing use in cleaning audits in recent years. The products are excellent for simulating how bacteria can spread.
Glo Germ™ powder
Glo Germ™ powder contains non-toxic melanin particles with a fluorescent pigment/polymer that are formulated to be the same size as bacteria, approximately five micrometers. One jar of Glo Germ™ powder contains 50 grams of fluorescent material.
When Glo Germ™ is applied to hands, it uses ultraviolet light to simulate the spread of bacteria and demonstrate how quickly bacteria can spread. Glo Germ™ can be spread to many people through activities such as shaking hands or touching surfaces.
Other examples of how Glo Germ™ powder is used include gently sprinkling it onto surfaces to be cleaned. The presence of Glo Germ™ after cleaning indicates whether the surface is clean and whether the wiping process was sufficiently effective.
Glo Germ™ gel
Glo Germ™ gel contains the same fluorescent dye as the powder form, but is formulated to resemble an antiseptic hand gel. One bottle of Glo Germ™ gel contains 250 ml of fluorescent dye.
In gel form, Glo Germ™ works best for simulating and practicing hand sanitizing and handwashing. The test subject should apply approximately 3 ml of gel to their hands. When illuminated with UV light, it reveals how well the hands have been sanitized. After the same person washes their hands, you can quickly see if any spots were missed using the UV flashlight. A black Glo Germ™ box is available as an accessory where you can place your hands. The box makes the exercise easier to perform in a well-lit classroom.
Contents of the Glo Germs Information Sheet.
Glo Germ™ marker pen
Using the Hygiene Diagnostics UV marker pen, which contains Glo Germ™ gel, you can easily mark hygiene-critical surfaces. The pen has a special filter tip that can be disinfected after each use. The markings are clearly visible under a flashlight’s UV light, even in full lighting, until the surface is cleaned. The marker pen can be used during cleaning training or as a compliance check for wiping procedures.
The products listed above are available for purchase in our online store under the category:
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