In the right environment, bacteria and viruses can stay on surfaces for days. The only way to kill bacteria and viruses is to use disinfectant products. But not all disinfectants are the same. The disinfectant required by one organisation will be different to another organisation. 

How Disinfectants Work

Disinfectants work by causing damage to proteins within the outer layers of the bacterial cell, causing the whole cell to split open and die. To be effective, the disinfectant must stay wet on a surface for a required length 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 of the points you should consider when looking for the right one. 

1. Your Industry

Some industries are much higher risk than others due to the occupants. A hospital or aged care centre are some of the highest risk settings because you have a concentration of people with compromised immune systems suffering a range of illnesses and conditions. 

The people attending a retail setting will be healthier and younger than a hospital or residential home so the disinfectant won’t need to be as effective in a shop compared to a hospital. A clinical-grade disinfectant like Chlor-Clean is needed to kill the bacteria and viruses in hospitals that can cause deadly hospital acquired infections. 

The activities your business conducts will also determine the disinfectant required. Dental surgeries are high risk settings because the work they do creates tiny aerosol respiratory particles that can stay in the air or land on surfaces and potentially contaminate another person. 

A food premises will need a disinfectant to kill bacteria on food preparation surfaces. Cross contamination between raw meats and other foods can occur if boards and benches aren’t properly sanitised. Consideration also needs to be given to the type of disinfectant used to ensure it’s safe to use in kitchens or that the cleaning method removes all traces of a disinfectant. 

2. TGA Approved

If you’re looking for a disinfectant that’s effective against COVID-19, you can be confident in checking the labels. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) must approve any manufacturer’s claim in being 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. Kill Time

Disinfecting products need to stay wet on the surface for a specific length of time to kill all bacteria and viruses. This is called the "kill time" or "contact time" and it varies between products. The information can be found on the product’s label. If your cleaner doesn’t have time to wait for the surface to remain wet before wiping, you need to find a product with a short kill time. 

4. One or Two Step Process

To effectively disinfect a surface it must be cleaned first. Any residual dirt or grime on a surface means the disinfectant won’t 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 and User Acceptability 

Some disinfectants require the user to mix or prepare the solution before use. If it’s diluted too much, the product isn’t effective. Chlor-Clean is simple to use with one tablet dissolved in a 1 litre bottle of water, limiting the mistakes that can be made by staff.  

Disinfectants that have strong odours that can cause respiratory inflammation or dry hands. If the disinfectant is unpleasant to use, it’s likely it won’t be used as often as required. 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 an office that has six employees and a high rise office tower with thousands of people using the same lifts and doors each day. 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 which is the right disinfectant for your business and for more information on Chlor-Clean.