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Disinfectants and disinfectants kill germs in different ways and should not be used as synonyms.
- The main difference between disinfectants and disinfectants is that disinfectants reduce the amount of germs on a surface, while disinfectants kill most of them.
- Disinfectants generally work faster than disinfectants, which can take up to 10 minutes to kill germs.
- The name “hand sanitizer” is a misnomer since its main ingredient in fighting germs is alcohol, which is a disinfectant.
- This article was medically reviewed by Graham Snyder, MD, MS, who is the medical director of the Infection Prevention and Epidemiology branch of the Hospital at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
- For more stories, visit www.BusinessInsider.co.za.
The words disinfection and disinfection are often used interchangeably, but there are important differences between them. And it’s fair to say that this is the time to understand what’s really in your cleaning closet.
The main difference comes down to this: “While disinfection reduces the amount of bacteria, viruses and other microbes on a surface, disinfectants kill almost everyone,” says Alexander Aiken, MB, of the School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in London.
“This is because disinfectants include chemicals like hydrogen peroxide that decontaminate a surface or object by producing destructive free radicals that attack cellular components,” says Stephanie Dancer, a consulting microbiologist and professor of microbiology at Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland.
Disinfectants, on the other hand, like chlorine-based disinfectants and QUAT (quaternary ammonium compounds), simply reduce the amount of germs on a surface. This may not kill them, but it can still help prevent the spread of disease. Because for each disease, there is a certain number of germs, called the exposure dose, that you must contract to get sick. So by reducing the total number of germs on a surface or object, disinfectants help reduce the risk of infection.
“Disinfectants and disinfectants also differ in how long they take to work, known as residence time. Disinfectants can work almost immediately, while chemicals in disinfectants take up to 10 minutes to kill germs,” says Aiken. So it is important to follow the instructions on the product label for effective use.
Clean and then disinfect your surfaces
Studies suggest that SARS-CoV-2 can remain infectious on surfaces for hours or days, depending on the type of surface.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best practice for preventing the spread of Covid-19 in homes and community settings is to first clean visibly soiled surfaces and then disinfect them. Cleaning can simply refer to wiping it with a cloth or disinfecting it.
For more information, see our detailed guide on how to disinfect every room in your home.
“The key areas to tackle are the surfaces shared by family members and those that come in close contact with body fluid. If the windows are dirty, they are not a big concern for your health, but you can touch a doorknob. the door after sneezing. “says Michael G. Schmidt, PhD, professor of microbiology at the Medical University of South Carolina and chairman of the Council for Microbial Sciences of the American Society for Microbiology.
Also, here is a guide to the best disinfectant cleaners in 2020, and you can find a complete list of effective disinfectants against the COVID-19 virus on the website of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA emphasizes the importance of following label directions for safe and effective use.
What about the hand sanitizer?
The main active ingredient in hand sanitizers is alcohol, which is a surface disinfectant. Therefore, the name “hand sanitizer” is a bit inappropriate because technically it is a sanitizer.
While hand sanitizer is effective against SARS-CoV-2, washing your hands with soapy water, which is neither a disinfectant nor a disinfectant, is considered best practice for protection against coronavirus and other germs, according to the CDC. This is because soap and water kill SARS-CoV-2 by dissolving the protective outer membrane of the virus.
Hand sanitizer is especially less effective if your hands are visibly dirty or have food because the proteins and fats in food tend to reduce the germ-killing power of alcohol. This is one of the main reasons why soap and water are still preferred in the food industry.
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