Buying & Specifying
Disposable vs reusable cubicle curtains
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Disposables solve a different problem from reusables. They’re not “cheap reusables” — they’re an infection-control workflow choice.
Reusable curtains
Polyester fabric, laundered on a fixed schedule (typically 3–6 months) or when soiled. Lower whole-life cost per bed day. Requires a laundry contract and tracking system.
- Cost per change: laundry only.
- Service life: 5+ years with sensible handling.
- Carbon footprint: lower across full lifecycle.
Disposable curtains
Lightweight non-woven polypropylene. Single-use. Changed on date (typically every 90 days), on patient discharge from isolation, or when soiled. Each change is a fresh curtain straight from the bag.
- Cost per change: curtain + disposal.
- Service life: until the next change.
- Best for: isolation rooms, high-turnover bays, sites without a laundry contract, outbreak response.
Which we recommend
Most wards mix both: reusables for routine bays, disposables for isolation and high-acuity areas. Both are HTM 66 compliant and both come in standard and antimicrobial specs. Talk to us about a blended programme.