How To Choose The Right Disinfectant
Not all disinfectants do the same job, knowing the difference between each product is a must for proper use of your chemicals. Here’s some things to consider when choosing the right disinfectant.
1. Know Your Environment
Different surfaces breed different bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Identifying the most common risks for your facility can help determine what disinfectant you may need in order to effectively remove these pathogens.
For example, if your facility is a commercial kitchen or food processing establishment, your biggest concerns may be bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, Escherichia coli (E.coli), and more.
If your facility is an establishment with delicate personnel, such as a senior care facility, nurse’s station, or hospital, your biggest concerns may be different contagious viruses, such as Coronaviruses, Influenza, Norwalk virus, or Hepatitis.
Make Sure Your Chemicals Are Protecting, Not Damaging
Knowing the pH of your disinfectant is deterimental to choosing the right product to protect your surfaces. In a world where we’re all trying to make sure our facilities are properly cleaned or disinfected, we may end up using products that are extremely overpowering and therefore, can ruin certain materials over time. Always read the label instructions and recommendations for proper use of your chemicals.
2. Environmental Standards
In this day and age, reducing your ecological footprint isn’t as much of a suggestion as much as it is an obligation. While certain cleaning chemicals may generate harsh fumes or contain aggressive ingredients, there are products out there that can help you make better choices for the planet. Products in our ECOLOGO® lineup have undergone rigorous scientific testing, exhaustive auditing, or both, to prove its compliance with stringent, third-party, environmental performance standards.
Our current disinfectants in our ECOLOGO® offering are:
• Oxy-Q
• Quat Plus
3. Time Management
Contact time is the amount of time that a disinfectant needs to “rest” on a surface in order for it to destroy the microorganisms that are the hardest to kill. Infact, a disinfectant with certain bacteria and virus claims may not meet all of the claims if the contact time isn’t met. Many disinfectants have a 10 minute contact time, but there are other products on the market that could have longer, or shorter contact times. Choosing a disinfectant that’s ideal for your time requirements is another reason why your facility may benefit from one disinfectant over the other.
HealthGuard is a one-step cleaner disinfectant and deodorant, with a quick contact time of 5 minutes for disinfection and 15 seconds for sanitizing.
Dilution Rate: 1:64
Concentrated vs. Ready-To-Use
Another facter that can determine the best disinfectant (or chemical in general) for your facility would be whether or not you have easy access to water. Dilution systems, portable or mounted, both require a sufficient water source. Concentrated chemicals have a number of benefits, such as cost savings, product longevity, and waste reduction. However, there is more work involved in manual diluting your products than using a ready-to-use counterpart.
4. Multi-Purpose or Single Purpose
Some disinfectants are simply, just disinfectants. Although having a product that’s tailored to one task is important for certain types of cleaning, it could also become a tedious task for facilities that would require extra products to get the job done. Here’s some multi-purpose options to tackle other tasks while providing adequate disinfection:
• Vangard (2-In-1 Cleaner Disinfectant)
• Triple Action (Cleaner, Degreaser & Disinfectant)
• Quatromyicide V (Disinfectant & Sanitizer)
• Eliminate (Cleaner, Disinfectant, Virucide & Deodorizing Wipes)
Dustbane Disinfectants
Triple Action cleans, degreases, and disinfects in one easy step. Also available as ready-to-use and wipes. Ideal for facilities with heavily soiled surfaces or surfaces that are often contaminated with grease, oil, dirt, and grime.
• Warehouses and manufacturing
• Garages and repair shops
• Automotive
• Food service
Cleans, disinfects, and deodorizes. Vangard is a neutral quat-based cleaner, highly efficient in destroying a broad range of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Ideal for facilities that require adequate disinfection or experiencing mold and mildew.
• Rehabiliation centres
• Transportation
• EMS and emergency services
• Manufacturing
A disinfectant and germicidal detergent with the cleaning performance of a neutral quat that destroys wide range of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Ideal for facilities seeking a more sustainable choice or a versatile product suitable for all hard surfaces, including floors, heavy cleaning, or disinfection.
• LEED certified buildings
• Property management
• Government facilities
• Fitness and recreation facilities
A ready-to-use formula that sanitizes in 5 seconds and disinfects in 5 minutes. Effective against Parvovirus, Feline calicivirus, and so many more. Ideal for facilities without easy access to water or a dilution system, or, on hard, nonporous surfaces in areas where disinfection or sanitizing is of prime importance.
• Schools or educational facilities
• Healthcare facilities (not for use in critical areas)
• Meat, dairy, or egg processing facilities
• Animal care and veterinary clinics
