Disinfectants & Sanitizers

We are a leading supplier of Disinfectants and Sanitizers in South Africa

What are Disinfectants and Sanitizers?

Disinfectants and Sanitizers are chemical agents designed to inactivate or destroy microorganisms on inert surfaces. Disinfection does not necessarily kill all microorganisms, especially resistant bacterial spores; it is less effective than sterilization, which is an extreme physical or chemical process that kills all types of life.

Almost every environment on the planet contains bacteria and microorganisms. You might be surprised to learn that on one square inch of human skin there are more than 600,000 bacteria. Most bacteria are harmless to humans. But disease-causing organisms – called pathogens – can be dangerous or even deadly. One of the most contagious and dangerous diseases in recent history is COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Using the right types of sanitizer routinely on surfaces throughout your facility is critical in helping prevent the spread of sicknesses and diseases like COVID, Influenza (flu) and the common cold. Since there are many types of disinfectants on the market, it’s important to understand how they work – including their pros and cons— in order to make an informed decision on how to best disinfect and protect the occupants of your facility.

How to use Disinfectants and Sanitizers:

Wash your hands after using any disinfectant, including surface wipes. Keep lids tightly closed when not in use. Spills and accidents are more likely to happen when containers are open. Do not allow children to use disinfectant wipes. Keep cleaning fluids and disinfectants out of the reach of children and pets.

Throw away disposable items like gloves and masks if they are used during cleaning. Do not clean and re-use.

Do not use disinfectant wipes to clean hands or as baby wipes.

Why must I use Disinfectants and Sanitizers?

Almost every environment on the planet contains bacteria and microorganisms. You might be surprised to learn that on one square inch of human skin there are more than 600,000 bacteria. Most bacteria are harmless to humans. But disease-causing organisms, called pathogens, can be dangerous or even deadly. One of the most contagious and renowned diseases of 2020 has been COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Using the right types of sanitizers regularly on surfaces throughout your facility is critical in helping prevent the spread of diseases and sicknesses like colds, Influenza, and even COVID-19. Since there are many types of sanitizers on the market, it’s important to understand how they work, including their pros and cons, in order to make an informed decision on how to best disinfect and protect the people in your facility.

How do Disinfectants and Sanitizers work?

Disinfectants and sanitizers are chemical agents applied to non-living objects in order to destroy bacteria, viruses, fungi, mold or mildews living on the objects. The “active ingredient” in each disinfectant formula is what kills pathogens, usually by disrupting or damaging their cells. Active ingredients are usually aided by other ingredients with various purposes. For example, surfactants can be added to a disinfectant formula to provide consistent wetting on a surface or to help in cleaning.

Disinfection does not necessarily kill all microorganisms, especially resistant bacterial spores; it is less effective than sterilization, which is an extreme physical or chemical process that kills all types of life.

What types of Disinfectants and Sanitizers are available?

Chlorine Compounds - Kill an array of organisms including resistant viruses, and are highly recommended for cleaning bodily fluids. Chlorine-based disinfectants are inexpensive and have relatively quick kill times, however they can be corrosive and cause discoloration as well as irritation if not used as directed. SanChlor is an example of a chlorine disinfectant, ideal for use in healthcare settings and food preparation processing.

Alcohols - When diluted in water, alcohols are effective against a wide range of bacteria, though higher concentrations are often needed to disinfect wet surfaces. The downsides are they evaporate quickly (and thus may not remain on the surface long enough to kill), they’re flammable, and they may not have organic soil tolerance claims, meaning they may not be effective when organic matter (blood, for example) is present.

Aldehydes - Very effective against the bacteria that cause Tuberculosis, yet they need a high part per million (ppm) ratio to be effective for disinfection. Some bacteria have developed a resistance to aldehydes, and have been found to cause asthma and other health problems. They can also leave greasy residue and must be in an alkaline solution.

Iodophors - Can be used for disinfecting some semi-critical medical equipment but they can stain surfaces and have an unpleasant odor (think Iodine). Idophors aren’t often used in facility maintenance anymore.

Phenolic Compounds - Effective against pathogenic bacteria including Mycobacterium tuberculosis as well as fungi and viruses, but also very toxic and corrosive, attacking surfaces while they attack the organisms on them. Some areas enforce disposal restrictions on Phenols.

Hydrogen Peroxide - When formulated as ready-to-use disinfectants, hydrogen peroxide-based products are viewed as being “greener” and more sustainable for the environment. This is because they break down into the naturally occurring elements of hydrogen and oxygen. They are mildly acidic and are effective cleaners. At high concentrations (of hydrogen peroxide) they can become unstable and dangerous.

Choosing the right Disinfectant and Sanitizer:

Effectiveness Does a disinfectant and sanitizer kill the microbes and pathogens that are of top concern in your facility? For example, you may be highly concerned about Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). Keep in mind that pathogens can have multiple strains, and disinfectants are certified for specific strains. Depending on your industry and facility type – healthcare, education, long-term care, and hospitality – you will have varying needs and requirements.

Kill-Time - How quickly does a disinfectant or sanitizer product kill a specific pathogen? Does the product keep surfaces visibly wet in order to comply with these kill times? Again, disinfectant formulas are registered to kill specific pathogens in a specific amount of time, and they need to be wet on a surface the entire time to be actively working. Thirty seconds to five minutes might be a typical kill time. If a disinfectant needs 10 minutes though, be sure it will actually stay wet that long. Alcohol-based disinfectants may vey well evaporate before their required contact time. Read and follow all directions for use and rewetting if necessary.

Safety - Is the product safe to use for people and safe for the surfaces it is being applied to? As you learned above, some categories of disinfectants are toxic, some stain, others are corrosive, yet others have an undesirable odor. Check toxicity and flammability ratings on products, as well as any personal protective equipment (PPE) recommendations for disinfectants you apply. Be sure a disinfectant will not damage any surface it is intended for.

Ease of Use - Are the steps required to use a given disinfectant or sanitizer practical for your facility? Some applications require multiple steps that may not always be feasible. Water hardness is one factor that can impact the effectiveness of some disinfectant formulas.

Sorting through information about the various types of disinfectants takes time, but it’s a critical step to ensure you are making the best maintenance decision for your facility. Having the right products on hand along with a solid plan to prevent disease and infection will save effort and expense down the road, and give added peace of mind to you, your staff and any visitors that come through your doors.

What is a Pathogen?

The definition of a pathogenic organism is an organism capable of causing disease in its host. A human pathogen is capable of causing illness in humans. Common examples of pathogenic organisms include specific strains of bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria and E. coli, and viruses such as Cryptosporidium.

Your body is naturally full of microbes. However, these microbes only cause a problem if your immune system is weakened or if they manage to enter a normally sterile part of your body.

Pathogens are different and can cause disease upon entering the body.

All a pathogen needs to thrive and survive is a host. Once the pathogen sets itself up in a host’s body, it manages to avoid the body’s immune responses and uses the body’s resources to replicate before exiting and spreading to a new host.

Pathogens can be transmitted a few ways depending on the type. They can be spread through skin contact, bodily fluids, airborne particles, contact with feces, and touching a surface touched by an infected person.

Types of Pathogens:

Bacteria - Bacteria are microorganisms made of a single cell. They are very diverse, have a variety of shapes and features, and have the ability to live in just about any environment, including in and on your body. Not all bacteria cause infections. Those that can are called pathogenic bacteria.

Your body can be more prone to bacterial infections when your immune system is compromised by a virus. The disease state caused by a virus enables normally harmless bacteria to become pathogenic.

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. Some strains of bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics, making them difficult to treat. This can happen naturally, but also happens because of the overuse of antibiotics, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Viruses - Viruses are made up of a piece of genetic code, such as DNA or RNA, and protected by a coating of protein. Once you’re infected, viruses invade host cells within your body. They then use the components of the host cell to replicate, producing more viruses.

After the replication cycle is complete, these new viruses are released from the host cell. This usually damages or destroys the infected cells.

Some viruses can remain dormant for a time before multiplying again. When this happens, a person appears to have recovered from the viral infection, but gets sick again.

Antibiotics do not kill viruses and therefore are ineffective as a treatment for viral infections. Antiviral medications can sometimes be used, depending on the virus.

Fungi - There are millions of different fungal species on Earth. Just 300 or so are known to cause sickness. Fungi can be found just about everywhere in the environment, including indoors, outdoors, and on human skin. They cause infection when they overgrow.

Fungi cells contain a nucleus and other components protected by a membrane and a thick cell wall. Their structure can make them harder to kill.

Some new strains of fungal infections are proving to be especially dangerous, such as Candida Aurus, and have prompted more research into fungal infections.

Parasites - Parasites are organisms that behave like tiny animals, living in or on a host and feeding from or at the expense of the host. Though parasitic infections are more common in tropical and subtropical regions, they can occur anywhere.

Three main types of parasites can cause disease in humans. These include:

  • Protozoa - which are single-celled organisms that can live and multiply in your body
  • Helminthes - which are larger, multi-celled organisms that can live inside or outside your body and are commonly known as worms
  • Ectoparasites - which are multi-celled organisms that live on or feed off your skin, including some insects, such ticks and mosquitos

They can be spread several ways, including through contaminated soil, water, food, and blood, as well as through sexual contact and via insect bites.

What diseases are caused by the different types of Pathogens?

Bacteria:

  • Strep throat
  • Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
  • Bacterial Gastroenteritis (salmonella, food poisoning or E.coli)
  • Bacterial Meningitis
  • Lyme Disease
  • Tuberculosis
  • Gonorrhea
  • Cellulitis

Viruses:

  • Common Cold
  • Flu
  • Meningitis
  • Warts - Oral & Genital Herpes
  • Chicken Pox/Shingles
  • Measles
  • Viral Gastroenteritis Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E
  • Yellow Fever
  • Dengue Fever
  • HIV & AIDS

Fungi:

  • Vaginal Yeast Infections
  • Thrush
  • Ringworm
  • Athletes Foot
  • Jock Itch
  • Fungal Nail Infections (Onychomycosis)

Parasites:

  • Giardiasis
  • Trichomoniasis
  • Malaria
  • Toxoplasmosis
  • Intestinal Worms
  • Public Lice

The need for an efficient and highly effective sanitizer is highly important in both the home and workplace today.

Whether you are looking to sanitize with disinfectant wipes or antibacterial spray, we have the sanitizing solution for you. From surface sanitizing/cleaning to hand sanitizers and bleach cleaners, we supply disinfectants for hospitals as well as commercial and industrial environments.

What areas do you supply Sanitizers and Disinfectants to?

We supply sanitizer throughout South Africa.

Our main delivery areas include (but are not limited to):

Gauteng (All Areas), Western Cape (All Areas), Kwazulu-Natal (All Areas), Nelspruit, Limpopo, Bloemfontein, Rustenburg, East London, Port Elizabeth.

Our sales team is on hand to help you find the the right sanitizing solution for your business.

Please contact us for further assistance.