When ‘Clean’ Isn’t Clean Enough: The Science of Biofilms in Mobility Equipment

Most wheelchair users and carers do their best to keep equipment clean. A quick wipe over the joystick, a spray on the seat, or a once-a-week refresh of straps and cushions all help equipment look and feel tidy. But there’s a hidden layer of hygiene that everyday cleaning simply can’t reach.

This layer is called a biofilm, and once it forms, even the strongest household disinfectants struggle to break it down.

Biofilms aren’t talked about much in home care settings, yet they’re one of the biggest reasons mobility equipment becomes a source of odours, irritation, recurring grime, and unseen bacteria. Understanding them isn’t about causing concern; it’s about giving wheelchair users the knowledge they deserve to keep their equipment as safe, clean, and comfortable as possible.

What Exactly Is a Biofilm?

A biofilm is a microscopic community of bacteria that sticks to a surface and then releases a protective coating. This coating forms a thin, sticky film that acts like a shield, making the bacteria underneath extremely hard to remove.

Scientific literature describes biofilms as one of the most resilient forms of bacterial growth, and they’re found almost everywhere, from medical devices to kitchen sponges, and yes, mobility equipment.

A few key points about biofilms:

• They begin forming within hours on moist or regularly touched surfaces.

• They adhere strongly to materials like plastics, fabrics, foam, rubber, and metal.

• They protect bacteria from disinfectants, wipes, and most household cleaning products.

• They continue to grow even when the surface appears visibly clean.

  
  

This means a seat cushion or joystick might look spotless, yet still hold a thriving layer of bacteria invisible to the eye.

Why Do Biofilms Form on Mobility Equipment?

Mobility aids create the perfect environment for biofilm growth. They’re used every day, often for hours at a time, and come into contact with sweat, food particles, skin oils, spills, dirt and moisture.

Some of the most common hotspots include:

• Upholstery seams

• Seat cushions and foam layers

• Velcro straps and belts

• Joysticks, buttons and hand rims

• Underside frames and brake levers

  
  

These areas offer warmth, humidity and repeated contact, all ideal conditions for bacteria to attach and form their protective layer.

In simple terms: biofilms thrive in the places that wipes struggle to reach and where moisture tends to settle.

Why Wipes and Sprays Don’t Break Down Biofilms

The challenge with biofilms is not the bacteria themselves, but the protective layer around them. This barrier blocks disinfectants and cleaners from reaching the bacteria underneath.

Scientific studies show that bacteria inside a biofilm can be up to 1,000 times more resistant to disinfectants than free-floating bacteria.

This explains a few familiar scenarios:

• Equipment smells clean right after wiping, but odours return quickly.

• Stains keep reappearing despite regular cleaning.

• Surfaces feel sticky or tacky even after sanitising.

• Skin irritation persists even when the equipment looks clean.

  
  

It’s not the user doing anything wrong, it’s simply a cleaning challenge that household products weren’t designed to solve.

Examples from Healthcare and Mobility Settings

Biofilm-related contamination has been well documented in healthcare environments, particularly on medical devices that are handled frequently or made from porous materials.

Some examples highlighted in clinical literature include:

• Wheelchairs and commode chairs in hospitals harbouring biofilms in seat seams and under armrests.

• Patient hoists and transfer belts, where biofilms persist despite routine disinfecting.

• Hospital-grade mattresses, where moisture and heat encourage deep biofilm formation.

• Power chair controls, which collect oils and sweat that allow bacteria to adhere more easily.

  
  

These findings matter because the cleaning challenges in hospitals are very similar to those experienced in home care. The difference is that hospitals have the tools and processes designed specifically for biofilm removal.

Mobility aids used daily at home encounter the same risks, but without access to the same cleaning resources.

How Professional Cleaning Breaks Through Biofilms

Professional mobility equipment cleaning isn’t just a deeper version of home care. It uses a completely different method based on the same principles used in medical and clinical settings.

For example, Pure Wheelchairs uses:

• Super-heated dry steam at temperatures high enough to break apart biofilms.

• Low humidity steam that sanitises without soaking materials.

• Hospital-grade microfibre designed to lift microscopic residue that ordinary cloths leave behind.

• Certified processes that are safe for both the equipment and the user.

  
  

The science behind steam is well supported: heat breaks down the structure of the biofilm, allowing cleaning tools to remove the bacteria underneath. Household wipes can’t generate this level of heat, which is why they can only clean the surface.

Professional cleaning doesn’t replace home care; it complements it. Daily wipe-downs manage surface dirt. Deep cleaning removes what wipes can't.

Why This Matters for Wheelchair Users

Biofilms aren’t just a hygiene issue. They can also affect:

• Comfort: Biofilm build-up contributes to odours, sticky surfaces and fabrics that feel damp or tacky.

• Skin health: Bacteria in biofilms can irritate sensitive skin, especially for users spending long hours seated.

• Equipment longevity: Biofilms can trap moisture against materials, weakening them over time.

• Peace of mind: Feeling clean in your chair impacts confidence and overall wellbeing.
  

Understanding biofilms isn’t about adding another task to your routine; it’s about knowing that when your wheelchair looks clean, it truly is clean.

Keeping Your Chair Fresher for Longer

A simple approach works best:

• Keep daily wipe-downs for surface dirt.

• Allow fabrics to dry fully when possible.

• Use gentle, safe at-home cleaning products between professional cleans.

• Book a deep clean periodically to break down biofilms and reset your equipment’s hygiene.
  

This combination supports both cleanliness and comfort without relying on harsh chemicals or complicated routines.

A Cleaner Chair Makes Everyday Life Easier

Biofilms might be invisible, but their impact isn’t. Once you understand what they are and where they form, it becomes clear why mobility equipment needs more than surface cleaning alone.

For anyone wanting a deeper level of hygiene and comfort, Pure Wheelchairs offers a mobile service that brings hospital-grade cleaning directly to your home, clinic or care setting. Their process breaks through biofilms safely and leaves equipment clean, fresh and ready to use within minutes.