Frequently Asked Questions

GloGerm is a simulated germ product that uses fluorescent particles invisible to the naked eye. When applied to skin or surfaces, GloGerm glows brilliantly under ultraviolet (UV) light, revealing exactly where "germs" remain after handwashing or surface cleaning. It provides a powerful visual demonstration of proper hygiene technique.

GloGerm Gel is a lotion-based formula that glows brilliant white under UV light and washes off easily with soap and water. It’s our most popular formula for handwashing training and is recommended where staining may be a concern, making it ideal for clinical and classroom settings.

GloGerm Oil is the original formula (since 1968) and glows bright orange under UV light. It’s slightly more resistant to washing, which makes demonstrations more impactful and provides a more realistic simulation. It’s best suited for environments where staining is not a concern. (Please note: Oil may permanently stain certain fabrics if it comes into contact with them.)

Both work the same way — the choice is mostly personal preference. If you’re unsure, Gel is a great starting point.

GloGerm Powder is designed to demonstrate cross-contamination and proper surface cleaning. Sprinkle it on surfaces, then check under UV light after cleaning to see what was missed. It is particularly effective for food service, healthcare, and industrial hygiene training.

GloGerm MIST is a spray-based product that simulates airborne contamination. It uses an aerosol-free pump canister to disperse fluorescent particles into the air, demonstrating how coughing, sneezing, and aerosolization can spread microbes. It is ideal for training in masking, gowning, cough/sneeze etiquette, and air filtration.

The Surface Cleaning Detection Gel is specifically designed for testing proper cleaning of non-porous, hard surfaces. Apply two to three drops, lightly spread with a swab until no longer visible, then check under UV light after the surface has been cleaned. Any remaining glow indicates areas that were missed.

Yes. GloGerm products are non-toxic, non-allergenic, and safe for use on skin. They are used in hospitals, schools, food service facilities, and workplaces worldwide. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available for every product on our Safety Data Sheets page.

An 8oz bottle of GloGerm Gel or Oil provides approximately 200+ individual handwashing demonstrations. A 4oz container of GloGerm Powder provides 50+ surface contamination demos. Actual usage depends on how much product is applied per demonstration.

Yes. GloGerm Gel washes off easily with soap and water, which is exactly the point of the demonstration. GloGerm Oil may require slightly more thorough washing, mimicking the persistence of real germs. Powder can be cleaned from surfaces with standard cleaning products.

It depends on your needs:

• Premium Mini Kit — Best starter kit for small groups or personal use
• Kit #1004 — The workhorse. Great for classrooms and regular training sessions
• Kit #1007 — Our most powerful kit with a 50-LED UV flashlight for large groups
• Glo Box Kit — Ideal for brightly lit rooms. The foldable box blocks ambient light
• HAZMAT Kit — The complete package with MIST, gel, powder, surface detection gel, and UV flashlight
• MIST Kit Basic — Focused on airborne contamination training

All kits are available in Gel or Oil formulas (except the Premium Mini Kit and MIST Kit).

The main difference is the UV flashlight. The Kit #1004 includes a 21-LED UV flashlight, while the Kit #1007 includes a more powerful 50-LED UV flashlight that provides broader, stronger coverage. The #1007 also includes a training video resource. Both kits contain an 8oz bottle of formula and 4oz of powder.

The Soft Glo Box is a foldable, soft-shell box that blocks ambient light so UV demonstrations work even in brightly lit rooms such as classrooms, restaurants, and conference rooms. It folds flat for easy transport and storage.

We offer two standalone UV lamps:

• UVL 1004 (20-LED) — Compact and lightweight. Great for individual demonstrations and spot-checking
• UVL 1007 (50-LED) — Our most powerful lamp. Ideal for group demonstrations and large surface areas

Both flashlights fluoresce GloGerm in broad daylight. Batteries are included with all kits.

The UVL 1004 uses 3 AAA batteries and the UVL 1007 uses 3 AA batteries. Standard alkaline batteries work perfectly. Batteries are included with all complete kits.

All orders ship from our facility in Brockville, Ontario, Canada. We ship across Canada via Canada Post and Purolator.

Orders typically ship within 3–5 business days of receiving a completed order, though timing may vary depending on current order volume. A tracking number is emailed once your order ships.

Yes. We accept purchase orders from schools, hospitals, government agencies, and businesses. Please visit our Shipping & Purchase Orders page or contact us for details.

We accept Visa and Mastercard through our secure Stripe checkout. Purchase orders are also accepted for qualifying organizations.

All prices on our website are listed in Canadian Dollars (CAD).

If you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact us within 30 days of receipt. Products must be unused and in original packaging. Shipping costs for returns are the responsibility of the buyer unless the product arrived damaged or defective.

It is simple:

• Apply a small amount of GloGerm Gel or Oil to the participant's hands
• Have them rub it in like hand lotion until it is no longer visible
• Ask them to wash their hands as they normally would
• Shine the UV light on their hands — any remaining glow shows areas they missed

For detailed instructions, see our How to Use GloGerm guide.

Yes. We offer training videos in English and Spanish, including children's handwashing demonstrations. Visit our Training Videos & Materials page to watch them and download supporting resources like the Trainer's Manual and handwashing posters.

Yes. We provide free downloadable worksheets for grades K through 6, available in English, Spanish, and French. Visit our School Worksheets page to download them as PDFs.

Absolutely. GloGerm is widely used in food service and restaurant training to demonstrate proper handwashing, cross-contamination prevention, and surface cleaning verification. The Powder and Surface Cleaning Detection Gel are particularly effective for food preparation environments.

Yes. GloGerm is used by hospitals, nursing homes, and healthcare organizations worldwide for infection control training. It is ideal for demonstrating handwashing compliance, gloving and gowning technique, surface decontamination, and isolation procedures.

Giant Microbes are plush toy versions of real germs, viruses, and bacteria, magnified millions of times their actual size. They make excellent educational tools for teaching children about hygiene and infection control in a fun, approachable way. We carry a range of characters including E.Coli, Common Cold, The Flu, and more. Browse them on our Giant Microbes page.

Yes. GloGerm products are non-toxic and safe for children under adult supervision. They are widely used in schools from kindergarten through grade 6. As with any product, GloGerm should not be ingested, and UV lamps should not be shone directly into eyes.

GloGerm Gel is designed to minimize staining and washes off easily with soap and water. GloGerm Oil may permanently stain certain fabrics if it comes into contact with them — we recommend using Gel in settings where staining is a concern. Powder can be cleaned from hard surfaces with standard cleaning products.

Our UV LED flashlights emit long-wave UV-A light (365–395nm), which is the same type found in blacklights. Brief exposure is generally considered safe. However, avoid shining the UV light directly into eyes, and do not stare directly at the light source for extended periods.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all GloGerm products are available for download on our Training Materials page. Individual SDS documents are provided for the Gel, Oil, Powder, MIST, and Surface Cleaning Detection Gel.

GloGerm products have a long shelf life when stored properly. Keep bottles sealed and stored at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Under normal storage conditions, GloGerm products remain effective for several years.