FAQ

*Laboratory testing shows that, when cleaned regularly, antimicrobial copper surfaces kill greater than 99.9% of the following bacteria within 2 hours of exposure: MRSA, VRE, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and E. coli O157:H7. Antimicrobial Copper surfaces have been shown to inhibit microbial contamination from these microorganisms, but do not necessarily prevent cross contamination or infections.  Antimicrobial copper surfaces are a supplement to and not a substitute for standard infection control practices.  Users must continue to follow all current infection control and sanitation practices.

Our copper patches are effective at killing bacteria for as long as the patch is in place i.e. the copper itself cannot “run out” of antimicrobial capacity. If the copper is present, it is neutralizing microorganisms. However, the adhesive backing will wear out over time and create a situation where the patch should be replaced. The timing of this can vary quite a bit depending on where the patch is applied. We advertise a lifespan of “up to 2 years” for the adhesive, but your situation might exceed that timeline. The more complex the surface geometry you are applying the patch to, the shorter the lifespan of the adhesive. 

The patches have been proven to kill 99.9% of bacteria* (see EPA statement below) within 2 hours of exposure. However, we, along with the EPA, do not imply or suggest that applying the patch to a surface removes the need for regular cleaning/sanitation efforts. Our patches are meant to protect that surface in-between routine cleanings, not to replace the need for cleaning. Cleaning can be done with any of your standard house-hold or facility grade cleaning solutions. Strong acids, bases, and oxidizers can degrade the surface (so we don’t recommend using undiluted bleach, for instance) but you should not have a problem with any pre-mixed cleaning solution. Do note, however, that copper is a “living” surface. Our alloying prevents the patches from turning green as pure copper does, but the patches will patina with time and use. I think of them much like leather from that perspective. Some customers like the aging look and others prefer to give the patches a quick polish every so often with Bar-Keeper’s Friend or similar. The patina does not impact the antimicrobial efficacy of the copper, only the look.

Any copper material will exhibit inherent antimicrobial and antiviral properties. However, most copper tapes (such as those that are used in electronics, for instance) are essentially pure copper with very little or no alloying metals. Pure copper tarnishes (turns green or brown) almost instantaneously. In fact, if you touch most copper products with your bare hand your fingerprints will be immediately burned into the material. To prevent this rapid surface degradation, most copper products have a very thin clear coating to preserve the base material. This is how copper tapes for electronics appear bright and shiny. However, while that clear coating does not interfere with the electrical conductivity of the copper, it does prevent the surface from killing microorganisms. The copper ions cannot kill microorganisms when they are coated. 

Our products are different. They have a very high copper content but are alloyed with other metals to prevent the tarnishing that happens with pure copper. These alloying metals also enhance the durability of the patches (greater scratch resistance, improved shear strength, increased hardness). Our products do patina with time (think of it similar to how leather ages with time and use) but will never turn green like pure copper products. A quick, simple polish will also bring the surfaces right back to mill-finish brightness if users prefer that look.

One patch measures 3.625in wide and 5.25in tall.

Yes, the patch can be removed. The edges of the patch can be very sharp so care must be taken during the removal process. Care must also be taken if the base material has a coating, the adhesive is very strong so caution must be used to preserve the coating. If there is any adhesive left on the surface after removal it can be cleaned with Goo-Gone or similar.

Yes, the product is suitable for residential and commercial use. It is primarily designed to fit on flat or cylindrical surfaces. It is an actual metal (think thick aluminum foil) so it does not contour easily to spherical objects like doorknobs. It works best on door handles and push plates. For residential use, it works extremely well on straight “bar” shape objects. Depending on the exact geometry, many refrigerator and freezer door handles, oven handles, and microwave handles are suitable.

See above, depending on the geometry of your steering wheel it could be applied there. However, the foil would almost certainly crinkle and create folds that may not be desirable underhand.