The Meaning of Clean: Sanitizers, Disinfectants, and Sterilizers

The Meaning of Clean: Sanitizers, Disinfectants, and Sterilizers

With Covid-19 cases on the rise, having clean and sanitized spaces has never been more important. Whether it’s within your vehicle, within your place of work, or your home, making sure you know what sort of product you’re using and what exactly it does is crucial. If you’re looking for cleaning supplies or chemical treatments to fight Covid-19, it’s important to make sure that your products are EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) registered.

The EPA is the agency that regulates the categorization of sanitizers, disinfectants, and sterilizers. While many might use these terms interchangeably, it’s important to note that the EPA has standard definitions for each and designates products within each category based on the percentage of pathogens the products kill. When looking for products to help protect against Covid-19, it’s important to keep the following definitions in mind and ensure your supplies are categorized as EPA registered disinfectants. 

Clean- When it comes to regulation, the term clean also has a standard definition. This means the removal of dirt and debris through using water, soap, or general cleaning supplies. This process is necessary because stronger grade sterilizers and disinfectants will not be effective if there are dirt or other foreign materials present when a

pplied. 

Sanitize- The definition provided by the EPA says that for something to be in the sanitizer category, it must kill 99% of bacteria within 2 hours of exposure. This category is generally made up of chemicals such as sprays, gels, and salves. 

Disinfect- When it comes to disinfectants, the EPA categorization requires a disinfectant to kill 100% of bacteria, fungi, and viruses within 15 minutes of exposure. If you’re looking to kill off Covid-19 from surface areas, then this is what you need. It’s important to remember however that because of its toxicity levels, disinfectants should not come in contact with human tissues, but be reserved for hard, inanimate objects.

Sterilize- The final EPA category has the most stringent protocols and is the most potent when it comes to killing off foreign pathogens. Sterilizers are required to kill 100% of microbial life within 2 minutes. These compounds are not commonly found in stores, however. Sterilizers are regularly used on things like medical instruments and are commonly employed in specific sterilization devices with which users must undergo training to utilize. 

If you’re looking for an EPA registered product which can help protect your spaces against Covid-19, well Scorpion Coatings has some great options for you. Both our Shield Ultra and Punch Citrus disinfectants are comprehensive Biocides, and our Shield Ultra is specifically on the EPA’s List N which meets the EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2. Check out our reliable and safe disinfectants today and contact Scorpion Coatings for any questions about usage or application!