Written by: Daniel Trajanoski, Director of Research & Development
With the array of disinfectants available today, choosing the right one for your specific needs is essential to ensure safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness. Disinfectants vary by type, usage guidelines, and effectiveness, making it crucial to select one suited to the specific pathogens and surfaces involved. Here, we’ll outline how disinfectants work, the differences between disinfectants and sanitizers, the importance of pre-cleaning, and when to opt for a disinfectant over a sanitizer. We’ll also highlight Enviro-Solutions® products ideal for various cleaning requirements.
Understanding Disinfectants and Sanitizers
- Disinfectants vs. Sanitizers: Both disinfectants and sanitizers play roles in infection control, but their efficacy differs. Disinfectants destroy pathogens on surfaces, while sanitizers significantly reduce the number of microbes on hard surfaces.. When choosing between the two, consider the area and the level of pathogen control needed.
- Microbial Reduction: Sanitizers generally reduce microbial load by 3 log10 (99.9%). Disinfectants are generally required to reduce pathogenic load by at least 4 log10 (99.99%) on surfaces.
- Enviro-Solutions® Recommendations: For comprehensive disinfection, consider Enviro-Solutions® ES64H Neutral Disinfectant Cleaner (CAN) (USA), which provides broad-spectrum efficacy, or Enviro-Solutions® ES15 Spray & Wipe Disinfectant Cleaner (CAN) (USA), an easy-to-use spray formula ideal for frequent touchpoints.
How Disinfectants Work and Why Pre-Cleaning Is Essential
Disinfectants work by destroying or inactivating pathogens, typically through chemicals like quaternary ammonium compounds, hydrogen peroxide, or organic acids. For maximum effectiveness, it may be required to pre-clean surfaces to remove dirt, grease, and other materials that can impede disinfectant efficacy.
- Pre-Cleaning Importance: The CDC emphasizes that “visible dirt and organic materials significantly reduce the effectiveness of disinfectants.” Therefore, cleaning heavily soiled surfaces before applying disinfectant is essential for achieving thorough disinfection.
- Enviro-Solutions® Products: Enviro-Solutions® ES72 Hydrogen Peroxide Multi-Purpose Cleaner is a high-performance cleaner ideal for pre-cleaning heavily soiled areas ensuring surfaces are prepared for disinfectant application. Enviro-Solutions® ES15 RTU Spray & Wipe disinfectant cleaner (CAN) offers disinfection in the presence of organic soil for an easy-to-use one step solution.
Types of Disinfectants and Their Applications
Each type of disinfectant is formulated to target specific pathogens, so knowing the types and their strengths can help ensure effective cleaning.
- Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats): Effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, quats are often used in healthcare settings. Enviro-Solutions® ES364 Neutral Disinfectant is a quat-based option suited for healthcare and public spaces.
- Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfectants: Known for being environmentally friendly, hydrogen peroxide is effective against bacteria and viruses and breaks down into water and oxygen after use. Enviro-Solutions® ES65H Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfectant Cleaner (CAN) (USA) provides powerful disinfection while minimizing environmental impact.
- Alcohol-Based Disinfectants: Ideal for quick-drying applications, alcohol-based disinfectants are widely used on small, high-touch surfaces like phones and desks.
Considerations When Choosing Disinfectants
Disinfectants offer reliable pathogen control but come with considerations for safety and environmental impact.
- Surface Compatibility: Some disinfectants may have limited compatibility with some materials and have the potential to damage metals, plastics, rubber, etc. It is best practice to consider the surface you are required to disinfect and contact the manufacturer about chemical compatibility.
- Germicidal Efficacy: Does your disinfectant have disinfection claims against a broad spectrum of microorganisms and pathogens? Do you require claims against specific bacterial spores, fungal spores, viruses or bacteria that you may encounter?
- Contact Times: When considering a disinfectant, consider the required contact time for disinfection. It may be unreasonable to keep a hard surface wet for 5-10 minutes, such as some vertical surfaces.
- Cleaning Capability: Will you be using one product to clean and another to disinfect? Are the surfaces you are disinfecting commonly contaminated with organic matter (blood, saliva, etc)? You may want to consider a one-step cleaner-disinfectant as a possible option.
- Disinfectant Form: Do you prefer a ready-to-use disinfectant or a concentrate that you will dilute? Can you reliably dilute disinfectants accurately or have a dilution system in place? A concentrated disinfectant may be a more economical solution. In scenarios where there are many disinfection stations that require disinfectants with a longer shelf-life, a ready-to-use disinfectant may be ideal.
- Safety Profile: Consider the safety profile of the product by examining the Safety Data Sheet (SDS). If the product is a concentrate, consider possible routes of exposure to the concentrate itself. Is the PPE required in section 8 of the SDS readily available?
- Environmental Profile: Do you have the means to dispose of unused disinfection solution as instructed on the product label or SDS? Does the product have an environmental hazard profile that you may need to consider in your local municipality?
Choosing the Right Enviro-Solutions® Product for Your Needs
Enviro-Solutions® offers a comprehensive line of disinfectants that balance efficacy with environmental responsibility, suitable for diverse applications across healthcare, commercial, and educational settings. By choosing the appropriate disinfectant and using it correctly, you can ensure a safer environment while optimizing cleaning procedures.
Product Highlights:
- Enviro-Solutions® ES15 (CAN) ES15 (USA): Ready-to-use spray for frequent application.
- Enviro-Solutions® ES64H (CAN) ES64H (USA): Neutral disinfectant ideal for high-touch areas.
- Enviro-Solutions® ES128: Disinfectant-Sanitizer-Fungicide-Deodorizer
- Enviro-Solutions® ES364: Hydrogen peroxide-based for environmentally safer disinfection.
- Enviro-Solutions® ES25 or ES25+: Disinfectant Cleaner & Odor Eliminator
Selecting the right disinfectant for your facility is a matter of knowing your space’s specific needs and understanding disinfectant efficacy and safety factors. Enviro-Solutions® products provide high-performance disinfection while supporting health and environmental goals, making them the ideal choice for reliable infection control.