The science of disinfectants

Here's a good article on the basic types of disinfectants, their properties, and their effectiveness in various applications.

Quats, for instance, are quite effective at disinfecting, but not at cleaning, particularly since the addition of a surfactant (needed to spread the solution) diminishes the effect of the disinfectant.  So we use a hospital grade quat product in restrooms and lunchrooms, as part of a two part process - clean first, and then disinfect.  We can apply the quat disinfectant liberally, on restroom fixtures, without worry about damage, and give it the 10 minutes dwell time required.  And we don't have to rinse it off - both a time saver and a help in not re-infecting the surface.

For touch-points around the office, we use a hydrogen peroxide based product - it's both a good cleaner, and a good sanitizer (not quite a disinfectant, but we don't need quite the level of pathogen kill on a door jamb that we do on a urinal).  And, it gives us effective sanitation with a dwell time of 30 to 60 seconds, achievable on touch-points.  So we can wipe with a saturated microfiber cloth (microfiber cleans quite well on its own), clean the surface, remove both dirt and most germs, and leave the surface moist enough to achieve sanitation - without spraying the chemical on the surface, and into the air, and having it run down the wall.

Pretty good all around system.  And a good article.

Comments

[phoenix janitorial supply]

I would really like to know more about these disinfectants. Phoenix janitorial supply is the way to go. I really don't know where I would be with out them. My father's company uses their product and boy does it keep think nice and clean.