A: Manufacturers claim the Norwex™ cloth ‘self-purifies' because of the antibacterial silver embedded into the cloth. The silver in the microfiber cloth does not clean the surface but is embedded in the cloth to inactivate the bacteria and virus picked up by the cloth. But does it work? A microbiologist did independent testing on Norwex®, e-cloth®, Pollycloth™ cloths and found there was live bacteria on all cloths after 27.5 hours.
Heat or chemicals are two valid methods to sanitize food contact surfaces effectively. Ohio State University has information on using inexpensive household food-safe products like chlorine bleach, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to sanitize.
