The Truth About Biofilms (and Why Wiping Just Isn’t Enough)

Your mobility equipment might look clean, but when it comes to hygiene, appearances can be deceiving.

Even with regular wipe-downs, most wheelchairs and mobility aids still collect unseen layers of grime over time. Crumbs, skin cells, dust, hair, and residues from soaps, skin care products, or bodily fluids often settle into the smallest cracks and crevices, the areas that are hardest to reach but easiest for bacteria to call home.

Over time, this creates the perfect environment for something called a biofilm, and once it forms, standard cleaning methods usually aren’t enough to remove it.

What Exactly Is a Biofilm?

A biofilm is a thin, often invisible layer of bacteria that sticks to surfaces. It’s made up of fats and proteins, things that naturally come from human skin, sweat, saliva, spills, or spills from feeding and continence equipment. These elements form a microscopic “film” that bacteria cling to, thrive in, and multiply within.

Think of it as a sticky layer that protects germs from being wiped away, like a shield.

Because it’s not always visible, biofilms can quietly grow on wheelchairs, cushions, trays, lap belts, and harnesses, especially where soft surfaces or seams make cleaning tricky. It’s why some chairs start to feel a bit sticky, musty, or just “not quite right,” even if they look clean on the outside.

Why Wipes (Alone) Don’t Work

Wipes are fantastic for managing day-to-day hygiene, especially for high-touch areas like hand rims, tray tables, or push handles. But they’re not designed to break down biofilms.

Here’s why:

• Wipes clean the surface, but biofilms live below it

• Bacteria in a biofilm are protected by a gluey protein layer

• Soft materials (like foam or fabric) trap grime deep inside

• Fats and residues from skin, sweat, or soaps act like fertiliser for bacterial growth

  
  

The result? You might be wiping away the top layer, but the bacteria underneath continue to thrive.

Where Biofilms Tend to Hide

You’ll often find biofilms developing in:

• Cushions and pressure-relieving padding

• Harness straps, headrests, and armrests

• Footplates, seams, stitching, or fabric folds

• Undersides of lap trays or seat pans

• Wheelchair storage pouches and drink holders

They’re especially common in equipment that’s:

• Used daily (or for long periods)

• Frequently wet or damp

• Supporting continence or feeding needs

• Exposed to spills, sweat, or skin contact

• Difficult or fiddly to clean fully by hand

Even with the best intentions, most carers or users just don’t have the time, tools, or access to deep-clean these areas regularly, and we get it. It’s a time-consuming, detailed job.

Why Hospital-Grade Cleaning Makes the Difference

At Pure Wheelchairs, our deep cleaning process is designed to break down the fats and proteins that form biofilms, then kill the bacteria inside. It’s not just a surface clean,  it’s a multi-step process that reaches where wipes can’t.

We use:

• Hospital-grade disinfection techniques

• Skin-safe, residue-free cleaning products

• Moisture-controlled methods to prevent damp regrowth

• Thorough drying and sanitisation, so equipment stays fresher longer

This process helps protect not just the person using the equipment, but also carers, school staff, support workers, and anyone who comes into contact with it.

Clean Equipment = Greater Comfort and Confidence

Keeping mobility equipment clean isn’t about being perfect; it’s about making life easier, safer, and more comfortable for the people who rely on it.

A proper deep clean:

• Improves comfort and freshness

• Reduces odours and skin irritation

• Extends the life of cushions and supports

• Helps prevent pressure sores or infection

• Gives carers peace of mind

Whether it’s used in a home, school, respite centre, or therapy setting, your wheelchair works hard every day. It deserves proper care, and so do you.

Not sure if it’s time for a deep clean? If your wheelchair feels a bit sticky, has a musty smell, or you’ve noticed staining, don’t stress. We’re here to help.

At Pure Wheelchairs, we make cleaning easy, with no judgment and no fuss. Just hospital-grade hygiene, done with care.

Book your clean today or get in touch to chat with our friendly team.