Bacteria and viruses can stay on surfaces for days in certain environments without the appropriate disinfection methods. The only way to kill bacteria and viruses is to use disinfectant products, but not all are the same. The disinfectant required by one organisation will be different to another.
How Disinfectants Work
Chemical disinfection works by causing damage to proteins within the outer layers of the bacterial cell, causing the whole cell to split open and die. For the disinfectant to be effective, it must stay wet on a surface for a specific amount of time to kill bacteria and viruses.
Disinfectants only work on clean surfaces - otherwise, they can’t eliminate dangerous bacteria, including Staph, E. Coli, Salmonella, MRSA, COVID-19, Norovirus, cold, and flu.
Disinfectants are available as sprays, wipes, and liquids.
What to Consider When Choosing a Disinfectant for a Commercial Setting
There’s no shortage of disinfectants on the market. Here are some important aspects to consider when looking for the right one.
1. Your Industry
Some industries are at much higher risk of contamination and infection than others due to their occupants. Hospitals or aged care centres are some of the highest-risk settings because the concentration of people have compromised immune systems and are suffering a range of illnesses and conditions.
People attending a retail setting are more likely to be healthier and younger than in a hospital or residential home, so disinfection won’t need to be as harsh in a shop compared to a hospital for enhanced safety. A clinical-grade disinfectant like Chlor-Clean is essential in these higher-risk settings to kill the bacteria and viruses that can cause deadly hospital-acquired infections.
The activities your business conducts will also determine the products required. Dental surgeries are high-risk settings because the work creates tiny aerosol respiratory particles that can stay in the air or land on surfaces, which can contaminate other people.
A food premises will need high-level disinfection to kill bacteria on food preparation surfaces. Cross-contamination between raw meats and other foods can occur without proper board and bench sanitising. Moreover, the type of disinfectant used must be safe for kitchens, and the cleaning method must remove all traces of a disinfectant due to the high chance of particles ending in people's mouths.
2. TGA Approved Products
When looking for an effective disinfectant against COVID-19, check the labels to make sure it complies with safety standards. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) must approve any manufacturer’s claim to be effective against COVID-19 and enter them into the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Chlor-Clean has TGA approval as being effective against COVID-19.
3. Disinfection Kill Time
Disinfecting products must stay wet on the surface for a specific amount of time to kill all bacteria and viruses. This is called the "kill time" or "contact time", and varies between products so you can find the specifications on the product’s label. If there's no time to wait for the surface to remain wet before wiping, find a product with a short kill time.
4. One or Two-step Disinfecting Process
For effective disinfecting, the surface must be clean before applying disinfectants. Any residual dirt or grime on a surface won't allow the disinfectant to work. Likewise, residual detergents on a surface can impact the effectiveness of a disinfectant, so a surface must be clean and dry before disinfecting. Chlor-Clean is one of few two-in-one cleaner and disinfectant products that saves going over a surface multiple times.
5. Ease of Use & User Acceptability
Some disinfectants require the user to mix or prepare the solution before use. Follow the product specifications, as diluting the solution too much will limit the product's effectiveness. With Chlor-Clean you won't have to worry about too many measurements or complications as you only need one tablet dissolved in 1 litre of water.
When choosing a product, consider the odour. Disinfectants with strong odours can cause respiratory inflammation or dry hands. If it's unpleasant in some way (smell, usage, method, etc.), most likely, this will become a barrier and limit their required usage. Chlor-Clean doesn’t have the harsh chemical smell that many clinical-grade disinfectants have.
6. Frequency of Cleaning
The number of people who visit or work at the premises may influence the choice of disinfectant. There is a difference between a workplace with six employees and a high-rise office tower where thousands of people use the same lifts and doors daily. Chlor-Clean is clinical-grade and effective for high-frequency touch surfaces.
Contact Helix Solutions by calling 1300 29 32 32 or contact us online to discuss the appropriate disinfectant for your business and more information on Chlor-Clean.