The Superior Choice: Exploring the Benefits of Disinfectants Over Alcohol-Based Sanitisers

Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene is critical in everyday life. While alcohol-based sanitisers have gained popularity recently, the superior benefits of disinfectants should not be forgotten.

The benefits of disinfectants over alcohol-based sanitisers:

Disinfectants offer a broader spectrum of action compared to alcohol-based sanitisers. They are designed to eliminate a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even spores. Alcohol-based sanitisers primarily target bacteria and certain enveloped viruses but may not be as effective against other resilient microorganisms. Disinfectants tackle a wide range of pathogens, making them more suitable for enhanced protection.

While alcohol-based sanitisers are effective against enveloped viruses like influenza and coronaviruses, they may not be as effective against non-enveloped viruses such as norovirus and rotavirus. Disinfectants, especially those with specific virucidal properties, can effectively combat both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, ensuring comprehensive protection against a broader range of infectious agents.

Disinfectants are generally considered better for the skin compared to alcohol sanitisers. Alcohol-based sanitisers can be harsh on the skin, stripping the skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and even cracking. A recent survey by the Royal College of Nursing found that 93% of nursing staff had experienced some form of skin condition, including dryness, redness, cracking, itching and pain, in the previous year [Ref.rcn.org.uk]. In contrast, disinfectants can kill germs while maintaining the skin’s moisture balance, preventing excessive dryness and irritation. 

Importantly, it must be considered that alcohol-based sanitisers evaporate quickly and do not leave a lasting protective layer, requiring frequent use and increasing the risk of skin problems. However, disinfectants can provide a lasting residual effect and can create a protective barrier on surfaces, preventing the recontamination of the treated area for an extended period. This residual effect is particularly crucial in high-traffic environments such as hospitals, schools, and public spaces where continuous sanitisation is challenging.

Finally, the fire safety risk must always be considered when using alcohol based sanitisers where the flammable fluid can pose a real concern.

Continual treatment of the touch surfaces with disinfectant is assured with the Axiene Clean Touch system. The use of the Axiene water-based disinfectant instead of treatment using alcohol avoids rapid evaporation and removes any fire risk, and the active replenishment of fluid on the surface means ongoing protection for users.

Axiene disinfectant has been tested to BS EN 1276 for use in food preparation areas and has a bacterial efficacy greater than 99.999% with a rapid contact time to quickly eradicate germs. With an excellent ecological profile, the by products are simply oxygen and water, two molecules that widely exist naturally in the environment.

Conclusion

While alcohol-based sanitisers have undoubtedly played a crucial role in personal hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to recognise their limitations and consider the advantages of disinfectants in achieving superior protection. The broader spectrum of action, long-lasting residual effect, superior efficacy against non-enveloped viruses, and safety make disinfectants a superior choice.

Including the Axiene Clean Touch system as part of your building facilities is a simple way to offer superior hygiene standards and by doing so, we can effectively combat infectious diseases and promote overall well-being on a broader scale.