CloroxPro Blog – Professional Cleaning and Disinfection Insights

Decisions on methods and products for cleaning and disinfection, in facilities ranging from workplaces to schools to healthcare facilities, can be complex, and are ideally based on an assessment of key factors. 

• Efficacy
• Safety 
• Compatibility
• Compliance
• Efficiency

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?

Compliance: Is proper use of the product assured – or is there potential for error resulting in impact on efficacy, safety, compatibility or all three?

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

Efficacy and safety

Step 1 in product selection is to look at the antimicrobial power of a cleaner/disinfectant, which lies in the active ingredient(s). Public health agencies recommend using products that both clean and disinfect. Products that are approved for disinfecting hard surfaces in Canada have a Drug Identification Number (DIN). 

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.

Contact time and re-entry 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. 
• Disinfectants with an immediate re-entry time – when people can safely access an area – are preferable.

Surface compatibility:

• It’s important to ensure that a cleaner/disinfectant won’t damage surfaces and equipment. Medical screens and equipment and all electronics are especially sensitive to costly damage.

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.

Compliance and Efficiency

• Efficacy and safety of disinfectant products also rely on proper use to effectively disinfect while reducing potential cross-contamination or transmission of pathogens to clean surfaces. Let’s compare two methods for sanitizing and disinfecting: dilution control systems and ready-to-use wipes.

Dilution Control Systems (DCS)

DCS involve dilution of a disinfectant-sanitizer to a specific concentration and  application via microfiber textiles. Both efficacy and safety can be compromised by inaccurate or inconsistent concentration as well as contaminated microfiber cloths. Further, staff time spent in preparing the solution, using the microfiber cloths, follow-up laundering, and quality control steps throughout the process can be considerable.  

Ready-to-use wipes (RTU)

Ready-to-use wipes bring each component – sanitizing/disinfecting agent, water, container and wipe – together in a controlled environment. This greatly reduces the risks of contamination or compromise to efficacy and safety. Further, time-related costs of use are lower than a multi-step process like DCS.

Protect your Cleandom with Ready-To-Use CloroxPro™

CloroxPro™ ready-to-use cleaner disinfectants check all the boxes: efficacy, safety, compatibility, compliance and efficiency.  

CloroxPro™ Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes (DIN: 02466031) 

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

Effective against*

• 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.

Use

• 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*

• 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.

Use

• 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*

• 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.

Use

• 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*

• 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.

Use

• 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.

New! Available January 2025

CloroxPro™ Clorox™ EcoClean™ Disinfecting Wipes (DIN: 02545047)

• Active ingredient: citric acid.
• Contact time: 1 to 5 minutes.

Effective against*

• Disinfects 20 pathogens in 5 minutes.
• Sanitizes 5 pathogens in 60 seconds.
• Kill 99.9% of germs* including cold and flu viruses, MRSA, E. coli and Norovirus.
• Effective against odour-causing bacteria.

Use

• Hard, nonporous surfaces.
• No lingering chemical smell. Great for workspaces, restrooms and eating areas.

* When used as directed.

Learn more about your options for protecting your Cleandom with CloroxPro™ ready-to-use products. 

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