How To Properly Use QUATS Based Disinfectant?

Disinfectants are important products for keeping facilities and the people healthy and safe. When used as directed, disinfectants help prevent the spread of colds, influenza, and other infectious diseases. If improperly applied, however, you might as well spray them down the drain, since applying disinfectants incorrectly renders them ineffective! QUATS based disinfectants destroy bacteria, viruses, molds, and fungi.  The quat’s positive charge helps it adhere to the microorganism while dissolving its cell walls.  Quats need to be in contact with the surface being disinfected or sanitized for a period to completely destroy all the microorganisms that are present on the surface.  Time varies by product and method of application, so check product labels for proper use instructions.

Why? To protect yourself and your surroundings from a disinfectant disaster. 

Significance Of QUATS Based Disinfectant

Quats are positively charged surface agents (surfactants).  Quats bind well to negatively charged bacterial membranes.  This accounts for the fast speed of kill and broad-spectrum activity associated with quats.  Just as a piece of steel is attracted to and attaches itself to a magnet, quats attach themselves to an organism’s cell walls.  This causes the cell wall to break down.  Once this occurs, the cell is destroyed.

You must follow these essential tips on how to use and apply disinfectants properly, to protect the health of those in your facility.   

Don’t use Disinfectant Directly - Make Use Of Fiber - Microfiber (Mops and Cleaning Cloths). Basically, disinfectants cannot be used directly. You need to make use of cleaning cloth to clean or sanitize the surface. But what type of cleaning cloth you must use is a big concern? QUATS based Disinfectants are effective when they are used with fiber/microfiber cleaning cloth and not cotton cloth.   The phenomenon of quat binding occurs when the active ingredient (quaternary ammonium chloride) becomes attracted to and absorbed into fabrics. Opt for microfiber over cotton when applying quat-based disinfectants, so they don’t get absorbed.

Frequently Changing The Disinfectant Solution: If you don’t change the disinfectant solution frequently, it will get contaminated when you dip the mop repeatedly in the same solution. In this way, you would end up simply re-spreading bacteria (and dirt) over floors. Most of the healthcare settings recommend changing mop water every 2-3 rooms and ensuring the integrity of the disinfectant and preventing cross-contamination.

Be Specific: Before you apply disinfectants, read the label to be sure the specific bacteria, viruses, and other germs you want to eradicate are listed in the “kill claims.” Chemical labels contain valuable information that will tell you this and many other things including guidelines for proper use, first aid directions, and hazard warning/danger statements.

Concentrate on the Right Ratio. Disinfectants that come in concentrate form must be diluted in exactly the ratio indicated on the label. Any more or less water added will mean a disinfectant disaster.

Don’t Mix QUATS Based Disinfectant With Other Chemicals: NEVER mix disinfectants with cleaners or other chemicals. Mixing a disinfectant with anything else will completely change its properties and it will no longer be effective.

Contact Time – To be effective, disinfectants need to be in contact with microorganisms (germs) for a specific amount of time.  If not left long enough on the surface, they cannot do their job completely.

All quat-based products have labelling that defines how long the product must remain in contact with the surface being disinfected.

You Must Choose The Right QUATS Based Disinfectant: Your choice of QUATS based disinfectant depends on various factors, such as

• Effectiveness–Does the disinfectant kill the microbes and pathogens that are of top concern in your facility?
• Kill/Dwell Time–How quickly does a disinfectant product kill a specific pathogen? Does the product keep surfaces visibly wet in order to comply with the kill time?
• Safety–Is the product safe to use for people, and safe for the surfaces it is being applied to?
• Ease of use–Are the steps required to use a given disinfectant practical for your facility?

Summary:

From choosing the right product for each application to knowing when and how to apply it, disinfectant use is a serious business. Facilities that fail to make informed choices, ignore product instructions, or apply disinfectants incorrectly are putting the safety of visitors and employees at risk and setting themselves up for potential disinfectant disaster. When you evaluate your disinfectant needs carefully and educate yourself on using them correctly, it will help you to avoid a crisis and guarantee sanitary success.