CloroxPro Blog – Professional Cleaning and Disinfection Insights

The list of considerations in choice of disinfectant, in facilities ranging from healthcare facilities to workplaces and schools, can be complex, and decisions are ideally based on an assessment of key factors. Here’s a quick review:

Efficacy: Does the product effectively manage identified microorganisms – bacteria, viruses, fungi?   

Safety: Does use of the product enable a safe environment for those working at and attending the facility?

Compatibility: What types of surfaces are to be cleaned and disinfected?

Instructions for use: Does the product have special preparation or use requirements that can impact efficient use on a regular basis?

Every disinfectant product label of approved products in Canada tell the story

1. Active ingredient(s)

The antimicrobial power of a cleaner/disinfectant lies in the active ingredient(s).

Commonly available active ingredients include:

• Quaternary ammonium (quat) or benzalkonium chloride: used in disinfectant cleaners to break down the cell membrane of microbes. 
• Hydrogen peroxide: an oxidizing agent that produces hydroxyl free radicals, which destroy membrane lipids, DNA, and other cell parts of bacteria, viruses, spores, yeast and fungi.
• Bleach: an oxidizing agent that contains the active ingredient sodium hypochlorite, which breaks down the protein in microorganisms.
• Ethyl alcohol (ethanol): readily dissolves in water to kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
• Citric and lactic acids: organic acids with antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.

The identity and quantity of each active ingredient must be expressed on the label as a percentage on a weight-per-weight basis.

2. Drug Identification Number (DIN)

Not just for prescription and over-the-counter drugs! In Canada, disinfectants receive a DIN from Health Canada because they are classified as drugs. The significance? The eight-digit DIN lets the user know that the product’s formulation, labelling and instructions for use have undergone rigorous pre-market assessment. Every DIN is unique; they’re assigned randomly and have no particular meaning. The DIN also serves as the product identifier in any future quality monitoring.

3. Claims: Intended use

The product label must indicate the intended use(s) – known as claims. For a disinfectant, intended use specifies efficacy against one or more microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, mycobacteria, bacterial spores and fungi. Specific claims should use accurate nomenclature, e.g., “Escherichia coli” or “Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)”. Identification of product claims is critical: known efficacy against specific pathogens provides guidance to a facility’s infection control specialists, who have identified required preventive measures against key pathogens that may impose a threat to patients, customers and staff. 

4. Directions for use

Efficacy and safety of disinfectant products rely on proper use to effectively disinfect while reducing potential cross-contamination or transmission of pathogens to clean surfaces. Directions for use should reflect the efficacy testing provided in the submission to Health Canada to support efficacy claims. Directions for use include the following:

• Method of application

A disinfectant’s safety and efficacy may change based on how it is applied to the intended surface, whether by mop, spray, wipe or other method. Application method must be appropriate for both the disinfectant formulation and format (e.g., concentrate for dilution in solution or ready-to-use wipe) and for the surface to be disinfected.

• Surface compatibility

The nature of the surface to which the disinfectant is applied may affect its efficacy. Surfaces may be porous or non-porous, hard or soft. The label must specify compatibility. It’s important that the disinfectant won’t damage surfaces and equipment; medical screens and equipment and all electronics are especially sensitive to costly damage.

• Restrictive use

In products intended for use in healthcare settings, any surfaces that the product should not be used on (e.g., medical devices) should be specified on the label.

• Contact time

For effective antimicrobial effect, surfaces need to remain wet – i.e., the disinfectant needs to remain in contact with microorganisms – for the appropriate amount of time, according to the pathogen. To avoid exposing people to active ingredients, a shorter contact time is preferable, e.g., 30 seconds to 3 minutes.

• Pre-cleaning

If pre-cleaning of surfaces prior to disinfection is required, e.g., for heavily soiled surfaces, the label should state appropriate directions.

• Residue management

Surface residue is caused when product solutions air-dry on surfaces. While residue can pose a risk to some surfaces and should be avoided where possible, effective disinfection is the primary concern. Where appropriate, directions for use should include instructions for removing residue after required contact time.

5. Safety information and first aid

Safety and risk information is based on the toxicological profile of the disinfectant and its physical and chemical properties. Precautions, preventions and first aid statements must reflect the highest level of potential.

Additional required label details include directions for safe storage, lot number, expiry date, physical form (unless obvious), name of authorization holder and contact information.

There’s a lot to know, but all these details add up to choosing the right product for the job, taking into account all considerations, and using it properly for optimal results.

Protecting your facility starts with the right choice

Thinking ready-to-use wipes? CloroxPro™ ready-to-use cleaner disinfectants check all the boxes: efficacy, safety, compatibility, compliance and efficiency, when used as directed.  

CloroxPro™ Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes (DIN: 02466031)

• Active ingredient: quaternary ammonium compound; bleach-free.
• Contact time: 10 seconds to 4 minutes.

Effective against*	Use
Kills 49 pathogens in 15 seconds to 4 minutes.Kills cold and flu viruses, Staph, Strep, E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria.Proven to kill SARS-CoV-2 in 15 seconds.	Great for frequently touched surfaces in public spaces, schools, offices, health clubs, retailers and more.Safe for use on hard, nonporous surfaces such as finished wood, sealed granite, stainless steel, mirrors and glass.

Clorox Healthcare™ VersaSure® Alcohol-Free Cleaner Disinfectant Wipes (DIN: 02473151)

• Active ingredient: alcohol-free quat formula.
• Contact time: 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

Effective against*	Use
Kills 50 pathogens in 30 seconds to 2 minutes.Kills SARS-CoV-2, measles and mumps virus, HIV and Influenza A virus in 30 seconds.	Suited for multiple hard nonporous surfaces including medical screens and equipment.Non-abrasive, very low residue on surfaces.No harsh chemical odour.Stays wet for contact time.

Clorox Healthcare™ Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner Disinfectant Wipes (DIN: 2406225)

• Active ingredient: hydrogen peroxide.
• Contact time: 30 seconds to 4 minutes.

Effective against*	Use
Kills TB and 15 other pathogens in 1 minute. Kills 59 pathogens in 30 seconds to 4 minutes.30 seconds to 1 minute contact times on most bacteria and viruses.	Ideal for daily use in high-turnover areas.No benzyl alcohol.Comes in a range of sizes and formats to meet your needs on hard surfaces, including clinical use, daily patient room cleaning, terminal cleaning and on-the-go disinfecting.

CloroxPro™ Clorox™ EcoClean™ Disinfecting Cleaner (Spray) (DIN: 02542528)

• Active ingredient: lactic acid. Free of bleach, alcohol or ammonia.
• Contact time: 15 seconds to 2 minutes.

Effective against*	Use
Disinfects 16 pathogens in 30 seconds to 2 minutes.Sanitizes 5 bacteria in 15 seconds.Kills 99.9% of flu viruses and the COVID-19 virus in 30 seconds.Free from bleach, alcohol, ammonia and quat.	Hard, nonporous surfaces.Soft surfaces (spot test before use).Effective against odour-causing bacteria.No lingering chemical smell. Great for schools, offices, break rooms, gyms and recreational centres.

* When used as directed.

Interested in speaking to a representative about customized solutions and a free demo and training? Contact us today.