Our Lives Depend on Good Public Health Practices

Inaccurate information implying that a disinfectant-detergent solution removes all of the soil and "kills" 100% of the germs in the soil on the surface being washed fosters a false security.  To assume that such surfaces are germ-free and infection-proof may end as a deadly mistake.

Housekeeping/custodial managers and salespeople often declare that "the government says disinfectant-detergents must be used" for washing everything from toilets to food carts... Please investigate the facts before you accept anything as an "official" government mandate.

The true facts may shock you: EPA-registered product labels state (government law) that whenever using a disinfectant-detergent solution, it must be applied to a clean (sanitary) surface—soil contaminates the disinfectant and renders it ineffective.  To worsen matters, germs that survived the disinfectant are now resistant to it and will forever propagate as more dangerous disinfectant-resistant super germs.

All surfaces - operating table or toilet - must be washed free of soil before a disinfectant solution can be applied.  Only the first surface user benefits from each disinfectant treatment.  Subsequent users will be using a surface occupied by disinfectant-resistant super germs.

EPA requires a disinfectant solutions to be applied to a clean surface. A treated surface needs to be washed and rinsed well after each use—the sooner the better.  Contaminated soil left on a surface becomes a farm for disinfectant-resistant super germs fostering dangerous contact infections or a launching pad for airborne germ spores that can cause lethal bronchial infections or incite asthmatic and/or allergic reactions.

Bottom Line:  Surfaces that do not get washed after each use should be washed well on an as-needed bases using a general detergent. Surfaces that do get washed and retreated after each use should be washed with a general detergent solution, rinsed well, and then treated.

 A clean surface is a sanitary surface.