Disinfecting liquid – types, ingredients, use, safety. Which disinfectant should I choose?

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Disinfectants are chemicals or compounds used to inactivate or destroy microorganisms on inert surfaces. Disinfection does not necessarily kill all germs, especially resistant bacterial spores, and is less effective than sterilization. Disinfectants work by destroying the microbial cell wall or interfering with their metabolism. It is also a form of disinfection aimed at reducing the amount of pathogenic microorganisms on various surfaces, e.g. on the skin.

Disinfectant liquid – types

Alcohol-based disinfectants are widely used in the hospital environment as an alternative to antiseptic soaps. Hand rubs in a hospital environment have two applications: hygienic hand rub and surgical hand disinfection. Alcohol-based disinfectants provide better skin tolerance compared to antiseptic soap. Compared to antiseptic soaps, disinfectants also show more effective microbiological properties.

The same ingredients that are used in over-the-counter disinfectants are also used in hospital preparations: alcohols such as ethanol and isopropanol, sometimes in combination with quaternary ammonium cations (quats) such as benzalkonium chloride. Acids are added in amounts up to 200 parts per million to increase antimicrobial efficacy. Although allergy to alcohol-only preparations is rare, fragrances, preservatives, and quats can cause contact allergies. These other ingredients do not evaporate like alcohol and will accumulate to leave a “sticky” residue until removed with soapy water.

Hospital disinfectant dispensers are designed to deliver a measured amount of product to staff. These are either screw-on dosing pumps or specially designed dispensers with filling bottles. Surgical hand sanitizer dispensers are usually equipped with an elbow-operated mechanism or infrared sensors to avoid contact with the pump.

See also: Contact eczema

Disinfectant – what bacteria and viruses does it affect?

The disinfectant has a bactericidal effect (against gram-positive and negative bacteria) and also against fungi, and also has a virucidal effect. However, when it comes to virucidal activity, it should be said that the effectiveness of the disinfectant depends on the structure of the viruses themselves and they are much more resistant to hydrophilic viruses than lipophilic, i.e. enveloped viruses.

In the case of ethyl alcohol at a concentration of 60-80%, it is active against lipophilic viruses (e.g. influenza viruses, herpesviruses, e.g. HSV) and most hydrophilic viruses (e.g. adenoviruses, parvoviruses, noroviruses, enteroviruses, rhinoviruses, rotaviruses), but not it destroys hepatitis A viruses (HAV) and polio. On the other hand, isopropyl alcohol is not active against enteroviruses.

See also: A new way to deal with the coronavirus. Flowing UV-C lamps

Disinfectant liquid – advantages

Hand sanitizer has benefits when used correctly, including:

1. quickly kills most types of bacteria on most surfaces;
2. takes less time to be effective than hand washing;
3. it is more convenient than soap and water when water is not available.

To use the disinfectant properly, use it only when there is no visible dirt on the hands. Use only a small amount and rub your hands together until the disinfectant is completely absorbed. For best results (and healthy skin), it is recommended that you apply moisturizer as soon as possible after the hand sanitizer dries. This will help prevent some less than desirable side effects.

Disinfectant – side effects

The side effects of the sanitizer come down to the formulas we use. The disinfectant usually contains a large amount of alcohol (60 to 95 percent) to kill germs on your hands. Even if the alcohol content is low, our sanitizer may also contain other antiseptic ingredients known to cause side effects.

Liquid for disinfection and drying of the skin

Alcohol is an effective antiseptic, meaning it has been proven to kill bacteria and viruses on organic surfaces. However, alcohol is known to dry out the skin.

When hand sanitiser is applied to the hands several times a day, it removes moisture from the skin. This can cause dry, flaky, and tender skin. In addition to being inconvenient, the American Academy of Dermatology Association says having dry skin can actually increase your chances of contracting germs.

See also: Different faces of dry skin. How to recognize and care for it?

Disinfectant and eczema

You may notice that your hands develop itchy and red or discolored blemishes after the hand sanitizer has dried. This is because if we have eczema, chemicals can actually make our symptoms worse. Regardless of whether we use foam, lotion or a gel-based hand sanitizer, we may notice increased symptoms of eczema after use.

Disinfectant and hormones

Hand sanitizer sometimes contains an ingredient called triclosan. According to the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration), Triclosan is designed to kill bacteria and is used in products ranging from toothpaste to body wash products. The FDA also says that some studies have found that high exposure to triclosan can disrupt the natural hormone cycles and even affect fertility. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of triclosan on humans, but the ingredient has already been banned in several types of products.

See also: Triclosan interferes with the activity of enzymes that are important during pregnancy

Disinfectant liquid for antibiotic resistance

The FDA says triclosan is supposed to kill bacteria, but overusing it in consumer products may contribute to the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A 2015 research review of how triclosan contributes to antibiotic resistance concluded that more research is needed to determine how this chemical actually affects human health.

Disinfectant liquid – risk

There are risks associated with the use of hand sanitizer, especially if you use it in a way other than that indicated in the instructions on the package. These risks can usually be avoided by using external hand sanitizers and avoiding contact with the eyes.

The disinfectant can be harmful if swallowed

High amounts of alcohol and other ingredients make the hand sanitizer unsafe for human consumption. The Texas Medical Center says that anyone who swallows a significant amount of hand sanitizer can develop symptoms similar to alcohol poisoning.

People with alcoholism may desperately try to consume hand sanitizer when traditional alcoholic beverages are unavailable or personal access is restricted by force or law. There have been reports of drinking fluid in prisons and hospitals for the purpose of intoxication. As a result, access to disinfectant fluids and gels is controlled and limited in some facilities.

The disinfectant can cause blindness or damage our eyesight if it gets into our eyes

It is enough to apply the disinfectant and immediately after that accidentally touch the eye. High levels of alcohol in disinfectant can actually cause chemical burns to the outer layer of the eye. Typically, eye damage caused by the disinfectant will heal completely, but the following symptoms may occur as it heals:

1. temporarily blurred vision;
2. pain;
3. reddening.

See also: Seemingly innocent symptoms

What happens to disinfectant left in a hot car?

In the COVID-19 pandemic, we often keep hand sanitizers in the car and other places where we don’t have access to regular soap and water.

While leaving the hand sanitizer in your car isn’t too bad, there are some safety considerations to consider.

Active ingredients become less effective when exposed to sunlight

Prolonged exposure to heat and sunlight can lower the alcohol content of traditional hand sanitizers. So it’s possible that alcohol won’t kill germs that effectively.

In a car, hand sanitizer can be exposed to heat through direct sunlight. However, for the product to suffer significant deterioration, the disinfectant would need to be exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time.

This can mean the difference between leaving hand sanitizer in a hot car while shopping for groceries and throughout the working day.

Can the disinfectant be abused?

There is a reason doctors recommend washing your hands with soap and water, not hand sanitizer. This is because it is very easy to accidentally overdo the disinfectant and cause dry skin and other side effects.

In fact, if we use hand sanitizer so often that our hands dry out, it may be easier to pick up germs from other surfaces.

Additionally, our skin may start to crack or bleed. Dry and cracked skin can also be more susceptible to bacteria.

See also: The more often we disinfect our hands, the better? Not necessarily

Prevention of poisoning with disinfectant liquid

It is recommended that you read the disinfectant label before purchasing it and limit the amount of use to the recommendations on the product label. For best results, it is recommended to follow the most important safety rules.

1. Always supervise children when they use hand sanitizers.
2. Wait until hands are completely dry after use before touching eyes or face.
3. Store the disinfectant in a cool, dry place to prevent alcohol evaporation.
4. Do not overdo it in its use. One or two drops from the disinfectant dispenser should be enough for our hands.
5. For external use only. Never eat or try hand sanitizers.

Disinfectant – why does it dry up?

The active ingredient in the disinfectant, alcohol, is a volatile liquid that evaporates quickly when exposed to air. While conventional sanitizer containers protect the alcohol from air, they are not airtight, so an evaporation process may occur.

As the alcohol evaporates over time, the percentage of the active ingredient in the hand sanitizer decreases, reducing its effectiveness.

Manufacturers estimate how long it will take before the percentage of active ingredient drops below 90 percent stated on the label. The estimated time becomes the expiry date.

See also: Doctor Grzesiowski: “I do not recommend vodka for hand disinfection”

Disinfectant – how to use it?

It is recommended that you first read the information on the hand sanitizer label for the correct dose, and then apply this amount to washed and dry hands. The amount of disinfectant should be sufficient to cover the skin surface of both hands. Then, thoroughly rub the liquid into all surfaces of both hands, i.e. the inside, back of the hand, spaces between the fingers and thumbs. Do not wipe or rinse off the disinfectant residue before it dries. This usually takes around 30 seconds.

See also: Washing your hands can protect against viruses. How to do it effectively?

Disinfectant liquid – after the expiry date

In addition to keeping the alcohol-based sanitizer away from heat and direct exposure to sunlight, it is also important to remember the expiration date of the product.

These types of hand sanitizers are good for up to three years. After this time, alcohol may be less effective at killing germs.

All commercial hand sanitizers are required to provide expiration dates by law. If you are not sure about the expiry date of your product, you can tell it by the smell and texture. Any changes could mean that the hand sanitizer has broken.

While an expired hand sanitizer will not necessarily be harmful to our skin, there is no guarantee that the product will work beyond its expiration date. This means that the product can no longer kill germs on your hands as it should.

Let’s not forget that the effectiveness of hand sanitizers also depends on their correct use.

In addition, alcohol-based hand sanitiser is only effective when used correctly. Make sure you apply enough product to keep your hands completely wet. Then rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds or until they are completely dry.

Disinfectant and soapy water

According to Rush University, hand sanitizers show no more disinfecting power than washing your hands with soap and water. The university suggests that in most cases washing with soap and warm water is a better choice than using hand sanitizers.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends washing your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the amount of microbes and chemicals on your hands. However, if soap and water are not available, hand sanitizer is fine.

According to the CDC, washing with soap and water is more effective at removing germs such as Clostridium difficile, Cryptosporidium, and norovirus.

The CDC also reports that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not as effective if our hands are visibly dirty or greasy. They may also not remove harmful substances like heavy metals and pesticides, but hand washing can do.

See also: Why are soap and warm water effective against the coronavirus?

Disinfectant liquid – how to prepare it yourself?

According to the recommendations of WHO (World Health Organization), in order to prepare a hand disinfectant, we have to supply ourselves with ethanol at a concentration of 96%. or isopropyl alcohol at a concentration of 99,8 percent. We will also need glycerin (98%), hydrogen peroxide (3%) and distilled or boiled cold water. Other softeners can be used instead of glycerin (to keep the moisture), but they must be widely available and miscible with water and alcohol. They also cannot increase toxicity or cause allergic reactions.

The WHO recipe is to make 10 liters of disinfectant liquid, therefore we will need a 10-liter glass or plastic bottle with a screw cap, a stirrer, cylinders and measuring jugs, a plastic or metal funnel, and an alcohol meter to measure the ethanol concentration.

To prepare a 10-liter liquid, we need:

1. 8333 ml of ethanol or 7515 ml of isopropylene alcohol,
2. 417 ml of hydrogen peroxide,
3. 145 ml of glycerin,
4. distilled water or cold boiled water to top up.

First, we pour alcohol and hydrogen peroxide into the bottle. Then, using a measuring cylinder, add glycerin. There may be a situation in which glycerin adheres to the cylinder walls. In this case, you need to rinse the cylinder with sterile distilled water or cold prepared water, and then pour the remnants into the container. Finally, the rest of the bottle should be refilled and the cap closed so that the solution does not evaporate. Mix everything by gently shaking the bottle or use a stirrer.

The finished content can now be poured into smaller and more handy containers. The disinfectant is ready for use after 72 hours.

Disinfectant liquid – is it self-made safe?

Recipes for self-disinfecting hand rubs are now available all over the Internet. The question is, are they safe? These recipes, including the one above, are intended to be used by professionals with both the knowledge and the resources to safely make homemade hand sanitizer.

Homemade hand sanitizer is recommended only in extreme situations, when we will not be able to wash our hands in the foreseeable future.

Incorrect ingredients or proportions can lead to:

1. ineffectiveness, meaning that the disinfectant may not be effective in eliminating the risk of exposure to some or all of the microorganisms;
2. skin irritation, trauma or burns;
3. exposure to hazardous chemicals in our respiratory tract.

Homemade hand sanitizer is also not recommended for children. Children may be more prone to improper use of hand sanitizers, which can lead to a greater risk of injury.

Disinfectant liquid – alternatives

If our sanitizer has expired, we probably have other options on hand that may work well for cleaning or disinfecting household surfaces or leather.

For household surfaces, it is recommended that you first clean with soapy water and then use a regular household disinfectant.

We can also use diluted bleach to disinfect household surfaces.

It is recommended to use soap and water for hands or body. When soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used.

Although vinegar has antimicrobial properties, it is not the most effective option to kill viruses like coronavirus.

See also: What home remedies are effective against the coronavirus?