CloroxPro Blog – Professional Cleaning and Disinfection Insights

Do you know what these claims really mean?

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, proper surface disinfection remains important. You may have questions about the types of products that can be used against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. As your partner in disinfection, we can help.

Common claims you may see

Bacteriostatic or fungistatic: Products that prevent the growth of bacteria. These claims do not require efficacy data to be submitted unless specific bacteria or fungi are associated with the claims.¹

Virucide or Broad-spectrum virucide: Abroad-spectrum virucide has demonstrated efficacy against a representative hard-to-kill non-enveloped virus, which is expected to inactivate most enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, while a virucide has demonstrated efficacy against a specific virus.^1,2 Residual self-sanitizer or Residual disinfectant: Products that provide residual sanitizing action (e.g., significant reduction in numbers of infectious microorganisms which may be present or subsequently deposited) or disinfecting action (e.g., destroying or inactivating pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms).² To make residual self-sanitization or residual disinfection label claims, a product’s efficacy as a general/broad-spectrum or hospital/healthcare disinfectant must first be demonstrated.²

Ensure you are using the right products for your needs.

Health Canada maintains a list of disinfectants that can be used against the COVID-19 virus.³

All disinfectants with a drug identification number (DIN) have been approved for use in Canada. Visit the Health Canada website and check for the DIN on the Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) list.³ When in doubt-check it out!

Important things to watch out for

DIN: Disinfectants that have been approved for sale in Canada will have a Drug Identification Number (DIN). If you don’t see the DIN, it’s not approved by Health Canada.

Contact time: This is the length of time that a disinfectant must be in contact with the surface to achieve the desired efficacy. The contact time will differ depending on the type of disinfectant you are using.

Direct kill claims: Broad spectrum virucides have been proven effective against hard-to kill viruses, and are expected to inactivate most enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, but may not have demonstrated direct efficacy at killing a specific virus. Look for words like “Expected to be effective against”, “Likely to be effective” and “May be used against”. Active ingredient: Look for proven chemistries that contain active ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide, quaternary ammonium, and bleach, that will suit your needs.

Which Clorox products are Health-Canada approved to kill SARS-CoV-2?

The following Clorox products are approved by Health Canada as effective at killing SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, on hard, non-porous surfaces:

CloroxPro^® Clorox^® Disinfecting Wipes

Use these Clorox products as a key part of your cleaning and disinfection protocol.

Kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in as little as 30 seconds

Clorox has a range of products that can help you fight the COVID-19 virus

Learn more about the Clorox products that are approved to kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 here

References

1. Government of Canada. ARCHIVED Guidance document – Disinfectant drugs. Accessed January 4, 2021
2. Government of Canada. Health Canada Guidance Dt. Disinfectant Drugs (2020). Accessed December 31, 2020. 
3. Government of Canada. Hard-surface disinfectants and hand sanitizers (COVID-19): List of disinfectants with evidence for use against COVID-19. Accessed December 31, 2020.