Fortunately there are “warriors,” otherwise known as antimicrobials, that can help fight these potentially harmful microorganisms. An antimicrobial is a product that kills or significantly reduces the aforementioned microorganisms. These products must be registered with the EPA, which places antimicrobials into one of four categories:
• steriliants
• disinfectants
• sanitizers
• antiseptics and germicides
The cleaning product industry is most focused on sanitizers and disinfectants. These are the chemicals typically used to make surfaces hygienically safe and clean. Sterilizers, on the other hand, are typically used for high-level sterilization of such things as medical instruments, while antiseptics and germicides are used on living tissue, not surfaces.
Contrasting Killers
When it comes to disinfecting surfaces, it is vital to understand exactly what a disinfectant or sanitizer can and can not do as well as how to use them properly. According to EPA efficacy requirements, in order to be called a disinfectant a product must be able to destroy or irreversibly inactivate up to 99.99999 percent or more of the stated disease-causing bacteria present on a surface. (There is no such thing as a 100 percent kill rate.) Further, it must do so in the stated ‘dwell’ time, typically 5 to 10 minutes.
On the other hand, a sanitizer must be able to reduce at least 99.999 percent of the stated disease-causing bacteria within 30 seconds. The main difference between a sanitizer and a disinfectant is that when used properly, a disinfectant has a higher kill capability compared to that of a sanitizer. A sanitizer reduces — but does not necessarily eliminate — microorganisms on surfaces to levels considered safe to one’s health.
In order for either disinfectants or sanitizers to work correctly, they must first be diluted per label instructions; they must also be allowed to “dwell” on the surface; they must be used per manufacturer’s label instructions, etc. Proper dilution is not only necessary, but is also a legal requirement. That is why the labels on these products typically read: “It is a violation of federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.” Also, applying either product to a surface and then wiping immediately afterward is not effective. The chemical ingredients must be allowed sufficient time to sit on the surface in order to kill harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi before wiping or rinsing.