Disinfection 101

There are many types of Disinfectants & Cleaning products, many forms of delivering or applying them. Many cleaning products include disinfectants to clean and disinfect in one step. Surface cleaning removes dirt and germs, reducing the risk of spreading infection. Cleaning alone does not kill germs or sanitize surfaces, while disinfecting minimizes the risk of spreading infection.

Surfaces will be more effectively disinfected when they are clean. However, heavily soiled areas should always be cleaned first, as dirt creates uneven surfaces that make it harder to disinfect.

It is always a best practice to wear gloves when cleaning and disinfecting and, depending on the application, other personal protective equipment (PPE) like gowns. It is also always good to have adequate ventilation when cleaning and disinfecting.

Products on EPA List N

The EPA provides a list of registered disinfectants to use against Covid-19. It includes ready-to-use sprays, concentrates, and disinfecting wipes. All disinfectants are supposed to be registered with the EPA, but some are not. However, if EPA registered disinfectants are not readily available, bleach and 70% alcohol solutions can be used as disinfectants.

The EPA regulates disinfectants as they are in the family of “pesticides” as they kill microorganisms. The FDA regulates hand sanitizers as they are in contact with the body.

Surfaces

Surfaces that are frequently touched are most in need of disinfection. In the office, some of the more commonly touched areas include:

• Countertops and tables
• Door handles/buttons/touch screens
• Light switches
• Faucets
• Sinks
• Toilets
• Soap dispensers
• Paper towel dispensers
• Coffee brewers
• Refrigerators
• And microwaves

Some of the most commonly touched areas in personal work areas include desk surfaces and handles, keyboards, mice, and phones. These are the areas where you want to set up regular routines of disinfection.

Hard, less porous surfaces are easier to disinfect, so you may want to consider replacing objects with porous surfaces. Also, consider removing frequently handled items that are not genuinely needed, as this would help avoid cross-contamination.

Quats:

Quats are absorbed by cells, but as they can’t digest them, the calls effectively starve to death. They are considered a “broad spectrum” killer, killing a wide range of germs. Moreover, quats are user-friendly, being less corrosive than other disinfectants. Quats combine well with surfactants/cleaners to allow one product to clean and disinfect, and some products also include deodorizers. They are cost-effective and represent approximately 95% of all disinfectant products.

Sodium hypochlorite:

Sodium hypochlorite is the main active ingredient in bleach. While comparatively inexpensive, it tends to kill everything and is considered corrosive (make sure you use gloves).

It is not an effective cleaner, and it can react poorly with other chemicals, creating toxic gas. Therefore it typically is not used for general cleaning. It also has a string odor.

Hydrogen peroxide:

Hydrogen peroxide is a versatile, user friendly disinfectant. Some consider it the “new” version of bleach. It is not corrosive and can be used safely on window cleaning, carpets, hard surfaces, and floors when neutral.

Pine oil:

Pine oil is considered “nature’s disinfectant”. It is inexpensive, but it is not a broad spectrum killer. Not a very good cleaner. However, some people associate odor with clean.

Alcohol:

Alcohol is typically used with hand sanitizers and surface sprays. It does not provide much contact time as it flashes off quickly. It is usually used in small use containers as it is flammable. Some hand sanitizers are made with benzalkonium chloride. It is generally considered less reliable than alcohol in killing viruses.

Kill Time

Each chemical and product may have very specific “kill” claims as to what germs it kills. In addition, each product may require a different amount of time in contact with a germ to kill it. The same product may require different times for other germs. This may be referred to as “wetting” time or “dwell” time.

Always be sure to follow directions, allowing the needed contact time for the disinfectant to work. Disinfectants are generally not targeted to kill mold. Therefore, only products with mold-killing claims should be considered for performing this task.

Always follow all manufacturers’ guidelines for diluting and applying all Disinfectants & Cleaning products. When using bleach, keep in mind that it is not safe for all surfaces, so you may wish to test their reaction to the bleach first. Also, do not mix bleach mixed with ammonia or any other cleaner. Finally, ensure that your disinfectant is not past its’ expiration date, which is typically two years.

According to the instructions on the package, cleaners/disinfectant solutions are available in “Ready-To-Use” (RTU) packaging or in concentrated solutions that need to be diluted with water. Ready-To-Use products typically come in a quart-size bottle with a sprayer.

Concentrated solutions tend to be much more cost-effective, but you need to ensure that the product is properly diluted to work correctly. Disinfectants are also available in aerosol sprays.