Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Better Hand Cleaner for a Happier Campus

  • 09/01/16
Deb Stoko Refresh PureBac FOAM

PHOTO © JAMES STEAKLEY

Changing to the Deb Stoko Refresh PureBac FOAM allowed the University of Wisconsin-Madison to realize numerous benefits, including a $5,000 annual savings in the housing department skin care costs, given the optimal shot size and a better cost-in-use of the Deb products.

FOR 168 YEARS, the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW Madison) has served as a public land-grant university and research institution. With more than 7,500 students who live in its 27 residence halls, the university implemented a campaign to promote hand hygiene across its residence halls to improve student health and reduce class absenteeism.

“Infectious diseases can spread quickly on any college campus, but proper handwashing with soap and water is one of the most important steps students can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others,” says Jodi Krause, assistant director of Housekeeping at the university.

UW Madison was using a commercial foaming hand soap, but wanted an effective and economical product for its 600 bathrooms to improve student health.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve our campus, so we were intrigued when we were introduced to Deb,” says Krause.

In 2015, UW Madison replaced its hand cleanser with Deb Stoko Refresh™ PureBac FOAM in all of the resident and staff bathrooms in its 27 residence halls because of its effectiveness in infection prevention.

“We tried the Deb foam in a resident hall and the students and staff liked it a lot better than our previous hand cleanser, so we decided to implement university wide,” says Krause.

The Deb foam helps to maintain the natural acidic protective mantle, whose function includes protecting the skin from bacterial and fungal infection. Its perfume- and dye-free formula reduces the potential for allergic reaction and skin irritation and is ideal for people who are sensitive to fragrances.

“We like the Deb foam because there’s no dye or fragrance to it so it doesn’t leave behind a sticky residue,” said Krause. “It also doesn’t dry out your hands like our previous product.”

www.debgroup.com/us

This article originally appeared in the College Planning & Management September 2016 issue of Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Wold Completes Geothermal Projects at Two Minnesota Schools

    Wold Architects & Engineers recently announced that it has completed two geothermal expansion projects for Mounds View Public Schools in Shoreview, Minn., according to a news release. The work at Highview Middle School and Irondale High School serves the district’s long-term goal of reducing energy costs and dependency on non-renewable fuel sources, as well as improving building performance.

  • Rethinking K-12 Schools as a Continuous Learning Experience

    Most students move through three or more separate facilities during their K-12 journey, yet the built environments they encounter at each stage have traditionally been designed in isolation, with little continuity in spatial language, learning philosophy, or physical resources. Each new school is a reset with different layouts, learning models, expectations, and ways of moving through a building. The next generation of school design is making the case that the first day of kindergarten and the last day of high school can and should feel connected through common support systems and infrastructure in the physical environment.

  • Back-to-School Playground Safety: 7 Common Hazards to Look for After Summer Break

    As summer break comes to an end, school administrators have plenty to prepare before students return. While classrooms, hallways and common areas often receive attention during all the back-to-school preparations, the playground should not be overlooked. Months of weather exposure, storms, and regular wear can leave behind hazards that may not be immediately noticeable.

  • UCF Modernizes College of Hospitality Management

    The University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., recently completed a major renovation effort for the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, according to a news release. The project modernized 77,600 square feet worth of academic classrooms, teaching labs, and collaborative spaces to support both students and faculty.