Since the pandemic, the need for disinfectants and sanitizers has drastically increased. The pandemic forced cleaning products to the forefront of public consciousness like never before, demonstrating how misunderstood these essential infection-prevention products are.
Disinfectants are a quick solution to kill bacteria. They come in a variety of forms like Institutional Spray Disinfectants, surface disinfectant and Hand Gel Disinfectant.
Disinfectants claim to kill organisms, so they are regulated as pesticides by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Don't get the terms cleaner and disinfectant mixed up
Although the terms "cleaning" and "disinfecting" are frequently interchanged, they have distinct meanings. When you clean, you're usually only eliminating pollutants from the surface (such as dust, dirt, and crumbs).
This is what we all tend to focus on in typical situations, but disinfection is the part that kills the viruses, so it's even more crucial.
Disinfecting entails killing bacteria on surfaces using chemicals such as EPA-registered disinfectants. Disinfecting alone doesn’t necessarily clean a surface or get rid of germs on it.
For a disinfectant to be effective, it must dwell for the recommended dwell time. Disinfectants kill 100% of germs listed on the manufacturer's data when used properly. Disinfectants and cleaning products are appropriate for use in public, institutional, and household spaces.
How Disinfectants Work
Before the pandemic, we never valued disinfectants. Many of us just knew that we had disinfectants on hand. But most of us still don’t know the science behind common disinfectants or how they kill germs. We just know that they do.
Disinfectants are chemical agents that can either suppress or kill bacteria by inhibiting their activity and growth. Disinfectants function by breaking microorganisms' cell walls or interfering with their metabolism to kill germs and viruses.
With cleaning products, dirt and food residues are visibly removed from surfaces. On the other hand, when Surface Disinfectant and items disinfectants are utilized, disease-causing germs are minimized, i.e., all those elements capable of causing illness or damage in our bodies are reduced.
However, it is very ironic that in order to maintain our house safe and clean, we must apply a variety of chemicals and products that can harm the environment and our health, sometimes even more than bacteria. That’s where Eco-friendly Disinfectants are needed.
Things to consider while choosing a disinfectant
1. Kill Claims
The pathogens or other bacteria, spores, or viruses that the product kills are known as "kill claims." Depending on the active components, dwell period, and a few other criteria, each chemical targets different germs and bacteria.
When choosing a chemical disinfectant, kill claims are one of the most vital facets to consider because not all disinfectants are efficient at killing the same bacteria, viruses, or germs.
2. Dwell Time
Another important factor to consider when choosing a disinfectant is the dwell time. One issue that people frequently overlook is the importance of sufficient dwell time for a disinfectant to operate properly. The amount of time a disinfectant must remain moist on a surface to properly kill germs is referred to as "dwell time.
Disinfectants must stay for a few minutes to ensure that any harmful bacteria or viruses have been disinfected, just as you must allow for 20-30 seconds before washing off the soap while washing your hands.
3. Chemical Compatibility
If not handled properly, several chemical disinfectants can cause damage to surfaces. If you use a chemical disinfectant that is harsh on your building's surfaces, you risk damaging them, resulting in costly repairs or replacements.
4. Access to Water
Some disinfectants are ready-to-use, while others must be diluted with water. When compared to ready-to-use disinfectants, concentrated chemicals take longer to dilute and require cleaning teams to have quick access to water.
It's also critical to ensure that teams are sufficiently trained on how to safely dilute concentrated disinfectants when applying them.
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