WHATS UP WITH ALL THESE DISINFECTANTS??

Over the past few years North Americans have become obsessed with killing germs. Whether we attribute it to the AIDS crisis, the advent of super bugs, killer flu or to E. coli, products claiming to disinfect and sanitize are proliferating daily.

The truth is however that most of us have no idea what these products actually do or whether they really work. In cleaning terms, disinfecting and sanitizing mean only one thing - reducing the number of germs and bacteria on a given surface. Any product can claim to be a disenfectant, as there are no universal rules that state what type of germs are neutralized, what percentage are effectively eliminated. or what length of time the product takes to work. There are rules that govern commercial products but even these products cannot kill all types of germs off of all surfaces, even if the chemical is left to work for ten minutes. Just wiping a surface with a water dampened cloth can be considered by some to be 'disinfecting'.

Most household products that claim to disinfectant will contain a specific germ-killing agent such as ammonium chloride, bleach (or a derivative product), alcohol, or phenolic. All are as effective as they are harsh for both the user and the environment. Combined with detergents and other specific purpose ingredients these products will certainly kill some germs and clean effectively.

Don't be mislead! Unless you saturate the surface completely, leave the product for at least ten minutes and thoroughly rinse with clean water you will not be 'disinfecting'. Even if you were to follow these unrealistic guidelines, under ideal circumstances you can only expect about a 90% kill rate.

What to do? Don't pay extra for a disinfecting/sanitizing product when in almost all cases a regular product will clean and 'disinfect' effectively. Retail products claiming to be a disinfectant primarily give consumers peace of mind, but not any tangible benefits. In the case of a household medical problem concerning a specific virus or germ, a true commercial disinfectants can help out - consult a medical practitioner for further advice.

Always remember, that any surface, such as a toilet seat, are sanitized only until the next person uses it. Timely cleaning is the best defense against germs.

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