Español (México)How do I choose the best surface disinfectant?
There are a number of factors that you will want to consider when choosing a surface disinfectant:
When quat and alcohol are mixed, the surface disinfectant has even better disinfection properties. Some surface disinfectants, like PDI Super Sani-Cloth are a high alcohol and quat type disinfectant. The high alcohol content creates a surface disinfectant that will kill a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including several non-enveloped viruses and a short contact time requirement. However, due to the high alcohol content and variations in the environment in which it is being used, it is possible the disinfectant will dry quicker than its required contact time. Providers using high alcohol + quat wipes need to make sure that the surface is wet long enough for the required time. Another issue to be careful of with any product that has alcohol is that alcohol can cause damage to equipment like cracking, particularly plastics. We’ll discuss ways to reduce damage in just a little bit.
Low alcohol + quat surface disinfectants like Cavicide and CaviWipes are also effective disinfectants. Their lower alcohol content lengthens contact time and isn’t quite as effective on non-enveloped viruses but reduces some of the disadvantages of higher alcohol content. For instance, since the low alcohol + quat will stay wet longer, it makes for a better cleaner while still proving disinfectant properties.
There are other surface disinfectants available that are available like bleach and isopropyl alcohol, also known as IPA. Bleach is an effective disinfectant and is recommended by the CDC for emerging pathogens and outbreak situations. However, bleach is caustic and can cause respiratory discomfort if used incorrectly. Ispopropyl alcohol, available in wipes, pads or liquid form is widely used and available as a disinfectant. IPA is an effective disinfectant for electronics and laboratory since it evaporates very quickly. Make sure that any IPA you uses is somewhere between 65% and 95% isopropyl. Less than that and it won’t disinfect. More than that, it will evaporate too quickly to be effective. (Of course, always check with the manufacturer before using any disinfectant on delicate equipment, electronics & equipment!)
How do I know if the surface disinfectant will kill COVID-19?
Luckily, SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus that causes COVID-19) is an enveloped virus and is able to killed effectively by many surface disinfectants as long as the required contact time has been met. Both high alcohol + quat and low alcohol + quat disinfectants are effective. If you want to check the efficacy a particular brand, the EPA has a list of approved brands for killing SARS-CoV-2. The EPA List N can be found here.
It is also important to remember that there are many other dangerous bacteria, enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, drug resistant bacteria and fungi in addition to the coronavirus that we have all been grappling with over the past year. Check the label of the surface disinfectant that you want to be protected from to be certain that the product is effective.
How do I reduce the possibility of damage to equipment?
Medical facilities and physicians offices are filled with expensive and delicate equipment and furniture. Surface disinfection is a modern day necessity but most compounds do carry the risk of damage. So what to do?
It is recommended that your facility setup a wipe down protocol to help reduce the chance damage.
It’s important to understand the difference between a surface cleaner and a surface disinfectant. It is possible to be a good cleaner and not disfectant and vice versa. A disinfectant is something that has been proven to kill certain microorganisms after a certain amount of contact time. A cleaner will remove visible soil, mucous, blood, etc. but might not actually kill the germs you want it to kill. Cleaning is step mandated prior to disinfecting bloodborne pathogens like HIV-1 and the CDC recommends you clean before you disinfect.
Are surface disinfectants safe?
Surface disinfectants are chemical compounds designed to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and the like so they need be handled with a level of respect and knowledge that they can be dangerous. Many surface disinfectants are made with some amount of alcohol and alcohol is quite flammable. The higher the alcohol content, the more flammable it will be. If your facility or laboratory has any open flames or similar heat sources, be very careful using high alcohol content material. Another safety consideration is fumes that may be put off during use. Bleach is particularly caustic and can lead to respiratory discomfort if used incorrectly. Just as a rule, it is recommended that staff wear gloves when cleaning and disinfecting. Always read the labels of the surface disinfectant for warnings and instructions should an emergency occur.Â
There are a number of factors that you will want to consider when choosing a surface disinfectant:
- Are there specific microorganisms you need to kill?
- Is speed of disinfection important?
- Are there delicate instruments and equipment that you are disinfecting?
- Is the disinfectant safe?
When quat and alcohol are mixed, the surface disinfectant has even better disinfection properties. Some surface disinfectants, like PDI Super Sani-Cloth are a high alcohol and quat type disinfectant. The high alcohol content creates a surface disinfectant that will kill a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including several non-enveloped viruses and a short contact time requirement. However, due to the high alcohol content and variations in the environment in which it is being used, it is possible the disinfectant will dry quicker than its required contact time. Providers using high alcohol + quat wipes need to make sure that the surface is wet long enough for the required time. Another issue to be careful of with any product that has alcohol is that alcohol can cause damage to equipment like cracking, particularly plastics. We’ll discuss ways to reduce damage in just a little bit.
Low alcohol + quat surface disinfectants like Cavicide and CaviWipes are also effective disinfectants. Their lower alcohol content lengthens contact time and isn’t quite as effective on non-enveloped viruses but reduces some of the disadvantages of higher alcohol content. For instance, since the low alcohol + quat will stay wet longer, it makes for a better cleaner while still proving disinfectant properties.
There are other surface disinfectants available that are available like bleach and isopropyl alcohol, also known as IPA. Bleach is an effective disinfectant and is recommended by the CDC for emerging pathogens and outbreak situations. However, bleach is caustic and can cause respiratory discomfort if used incorrectly. Ispopropyl alcohol, available in wipes, pads or liquid form is widely used and available as a disinfectant. IPA is an effective disinfectant for electronics and laboratory since it evaporates very quickly. Make sure that any IPA you uses is somewhere between 65% and 95% isopropyl. Less than that and it won’t disinfect. More than that, it will evaporate too quickly to be effective. (Of course, always check with the manufacturer before using any disinfectant on delicate equipment, electronics & equipment!)
How do I know if the surface disinfectant will kill COVID-19?
Luckily, SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus that causes COVID-19) is an enveloped virus and is able to killed effectively by many surface disinfectants as long as the required contact time has been met. Both high alcohol + quat and low alcohol + quat disinfectants are effective. If you want to check the efficacy a particular brand, the EPA has a list of approved brands for killing SARS-CoV-2. The EPA List N can be found here.
It is also important to remember that there are many other dangerous bacteria, enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, drug resistant bacteria and fungi in addition to the coronavirus that we have all been grappling with over the past year. Check the label of the surface disinfectant that you want to be protected from to be certain that the product is effective.
How do I reduce the possibility of damage to equipment?
Medical facilities and physicians offices are filled with expensive and delicate equipment and furniture. Surface disinfection is a modern day necessity but most compounds do carry the risk of damage. So what to do?
It is recommended that your facility setup a wipe down protocol to help reduce the chance damage.
- Pick a surface disinfectant that is least likely to damage the area or item being disinfected – check with the equipment or furniture manufacturer for their recommendations
- After waiting the full, required contact time – use a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe down the equipment or furniture to remove residues and help prevent any staining.
- You don’t have to do this procedure after every disinfection; just what works for your staff and facility. The most important thing is to make sure the contact time of the surface disinfectant is complete to ensure the surface is fully disinfected.
It’s important to understand the difference between a surface cleaner and a surface disinfectant. It is possible to be a good cleaner and not disfectant and vice versa. A disinfectant is something that has been proven to kill certain microorganisms after a certain amount of contact time. A cleaner will remove visible soil, mucous, blood, etc. but might not actually kill the germs you want it to kill. Cleaning is step mandated prior to disinfecting bloodborne pathogens like HIV-1 and the CDC recommends you clean before you disinfect.
Are surface disinfectants safe?
Surface disinfectants are chemical compounds designed to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and the like so they need be handled with a level of respect and knowledge that they can be dangerous. Many surface disinfectants are made with some amount of alcohol and alcohol is quite flammable. The higher the alcohol content, the more flammable it will be. If your facility or laboratory has any open flames or similar heat sources, be very careful using high alcohol content material. Another safety consideration is fumes that may be put off during use. Bleach is particularly caustic and can lead to respiratory discomfort if used incorrectly. Just as a rule, it is recommended that staff wear gloves when cleaning and disinfecting. Always read the labels of the surface disinfectant for warnings and instructions should an emergency occur.Â
How do I choose the best surface disinfectant?
There are a number of factors that you will want to consider when choosing a surface disinfectant:
When quat and alcohol are mixed, the surface disinfectant has even better disinfection properties. Some surface disinfectants, like PDI Super Sani-Cloth are a high alcohol and quat type disinfectant. The high alcohol content creates a surface disinfectant that will kill a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including several non-enveloped viruses and a short contact time requirement. However, due to the high alcohol content and variations in the environment in which it is being used, it is possible the disinfectant will dry quicker than its required contact time. Providers using high alcohol + quat wipes need to make sure that the surface is wet long enough for the required time. Another issue to be careful of with any product that has alcohol is that alcohol can cause damage to equipment like cracking, particularly plastics. We’ll discuss ways to reduce damage in just a little bit.
Low alcohol + quat surface disinfectants like Cavicide and CaviWipes are also effective disinfectants. Their lower alcohol content lengthens contact time and isn’t quite as effective on non-enveloped viruses but reduces some of the disadvantages of higher alcohol content. For instance, since the low alcohol + quat will stay wet longer, it makes for a better cleaner while still proving disinfectant properties.
There are other surface disinfectants available that are available like bleach and isopropyl alcohol, also known as IPA. Bleach is an effective disinfectant and is recommended by the CDC for emerging pathogens and outbreak situations. However, bleach is caustic and can cause respiratory discomfort if used incorrectly. Ispopropyl alcohol, available in wipes, pads or liquid form is widely used and available as a disinfectant. IPA is an effective disinfectant for electronics and laboratory since it evaporates very quickly. Make sure that any IPA you uses is somewhere between 65% and 95% isopropyl. Less than that and it won’t disinfect. More than that, it will evaporate too quickly to be effective. (Of course, always check with the manufacturer before using any disinfectant on delicate equipment, electronics & equipment!)
How do I know if the surface disinfectant will kill COVID-19?
Luckily, SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus that causes COVID-19) is an enveloped virus and is able to killed effectively by many surface disinfectants as long as the required contact time has been met. Both high alcohol + quat and low alcohol + quat disinfectants are effective. If you want to check the efficacy a particular brand, the EPA has a list of approved brands for killing SARS-CoV-2. The EPA List N can be found here.
It is also important to remember that there are many other dangerous bacteria, enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, drug resistant bacteria and fungi in addition to the coronavirus that we have all been grappling with over the past year. Check the label of the surface disinfectant that you want to be protected from to be certain that the product is effective.
How do I reduce the possibility of damage to equipment?
Medical facilities and physicians offices are filled with expensive and delicate equipment and furniture. Surface disinfection is a modern day necessity but most compounds do carry the risk of damage. So what to do?
It is recommended that your facility setup a wipe down protocol to help reduce the chance damage.
It’s important to understand the difference between a surface cleaner and a surface disinfectant. It is possible to be a good cleaner and not disfectant and vice versa. A disinfectant is something that has been proven to kill certain microorganisms after a certain amount of contact time. A cleaner will remove visible soil, mucous, blood, etc. but might not actually kill the germs you want it to kill. Cleaning is step mandated prior to disinfecting bloodborne pathogens like HIV-1 and the CDC recommends you clean before you disinfect.
Are surface disinfectants safe?
Surface disinfectants are chemical compounds designed to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and the like so they need be handled with a level of respect and knowledge that they can be dangerous. Many surface disinfectants are made with some amount of alcohol and alcohol is quite flammable. The higher the alcohol content, the more flammable it will be. If your facility or laboratory has any open flames or similar heat sources, be very careful using high alcohol content material. Another safety consideration is fumes that may be put off during use. Bleach is particularly caustic and can lead to respiratory discomfort if used incorrectly. Just as a rule, it is recommended that staff wear gloves when cleaning and disinfecting. Always read the labels of the surface disinfectant for warnings and instructions should an emergency occur.Â
There are a number of factors that you will want to consider when choosing a surface disinfectant:
- Are there specific microorganisms you need to kill?
- Is speed of disinfection important?
- Are there delicate instruments and equipment that you are disinfecting?
- Is the disinfectant safe?
When quat and alcohol are mixed, the surface disinfectant has even better disinfection properties. Some surface disinfectants, like PDI Super Sani-Cloth are a high alcohol and quat type disinfectant. The high alcohol content creates a surface disinfectant that will kill a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including several non-enveloped viruses and a short contact time requirement. However, due to the high alcohol content and variations in the environment in which it is being used, it is possible the disinfectant will dry quicker than its required contact time. Providers using high alcohol + quat wipes need to make sure that the surface is wet long enough for the required time. Another issue to be careful of with any product that has alcohol is that alcohol can cause damage to equipment like cracking, particularly plastics. We’ll discuss ways to reduce damage in just a little bit.
Low alcohol + quat surface disinfectants like Cavicide and CaviWipes are also effective disinfectants. Their lower alcohol content lengthens contact time and isn’t quite as effective on non-enveloped viruses but reduces some of the disadvantages of higher alcohol content. For instance, since the low alcohol + quat will stay wet longer, it makes for a better cleaner while still proving disinfectant properties.
There are other surface disinfectants available that are available like bleach and isopropyl alcohol, also known as IPA. Bleach is an effective disinfectant and is recommended by the CDC for emerging pathogens and outbreak situations. However, bleach is caustic and can cause respiratory discomfort if used incorrectly. Ispopropyl alcohol, available in wipes, pads or liquid form is widely used and available as a disinfectant. IPA is an effective disinfectant for electronics and laboratory since it evaporates very quickly. Make sure that any IPA you uses is somewhere between 65% and 95% isopropyl. Less than that and it won’t disinfect. More than that, it will evaporate too quickly to be effective. (Of course, always check with the manufacturer before using any disinfectant on delicate equipment, electronics & equipment!)
How do I know if the surface disinfectant will kill COVID-19?
Luckily, SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus that causes COVID-19) is an enveloped virus and is able to killed effectively by many surface disinfectants as long as the required contact time has been met. Both high alcohol + quat and low alcohol + quat disinfectants are effective. If you want to check the efficacy a particular brand, the EPA has a list of approved brands for killing SARS-CoV-2. The EPA List N can be found here.
It is also important to remember that there are many other dangerous bacteria, enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, drug resistant bacteria and fungi in addition to the coronavirus that we have all been grappling with over the past year. Check the label of the surface disinfectant that you want to be protected from to be certain that the product is effective.
How do I reduce the possibility of damage to equipment?
Medical facilities and physicians offices are filled with expensive and delicate equipment and furniture. Surface disinfection is a modern day necessity but most compounds do carry the risk of damage. So what to do?
It is recommended that your facility setup a wipe down protocol to help reduce the chance damage.
- Pick a surface disinfectant that is least likely to damage the area or item being disinfected – check with the equipment or furniture manufacturer for their recommendations
- After waiting the full, required contact time – use a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe down the equipment or furniture to remove residues and help prevent any staining.
- You don’t have to do this procedure after every disinfection; just what works for your staff and facility. The most important thing is to make sure the contact time of the surface disinfectant is complete to ensure the surface is fully disinfected.
It’s important to understand the difference between a surface cleaner and a surface disinfectant. It is possible to be a good cleaner and not disfectant and vice versa. A disinfectant is something that has been proven to kill certain microorganisms after a certain amount of contact time. A cleaner will remove visible soil, mucous, blood, etc. but might not actually kill the germs you want it to kill. Cleaning is step mandated prior to disinfecting bloodborne pathogens like HIV-1 and the CDC recommends you clean before you disinfect.
Are surface disinfectants safe?
Surface disinfectants are chemical compounds designed to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi, and the like so they need be handled with a level of respect and knowledge that they can be dangerous. Many surface disinfectants are made with some amount of alcohol and alcohol is quite flammable. The higher the alcohol content, the more flammable it will be. If your facility or laboratory has any open flames or similar heat sources, be very careful using high alcohol content material. Another safety consideration is fumes that may be put off during use. Bleach is particularly caustic and can lead to respiratory discomfort if used incorrectly. Just as a rule, it is recommended that staff wear gloves when cleaning and disinfecting. Always read the labels of the surface disinfectant for warnings and instructions should an emergency occur.Â