Disinfectants, antibacterials and antiseptics

difference between disinfectants, antibacterials and antiseptics

Lysol Disinfecting Wipes

Steramine Quaternary Sanitizing Tablets

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Antibacterials, antiseptics and disinfectants
Antimicrobial activity of antiseptics versus disinfectants

Difference between antibacterials, antiseptics and disinfectants:
What's the difference between disinfectants, antiseptics,
antibacterials and antibiotics? All are chemical agents and it can
be slightly confusing to know the difference as these
antimicrobial products may seem interchangeable, but
antibacterials, antiseptics and disinfectants each have their
purpose.

Hospitals and other health care settings extensively use both
antiseptics and disinfectants. As a prepper, you may need
clarification about the differences...

Antibacterials, Antiseptics and Disinfectants
What's the difference between a disinfectant and an antibacterial?

Antibacterials and antiseptics apply to skin (living tissue)
Disinfectants apply to surfaces (not living tissue)

Below is a summary to help clarify:

Disinfectants: Disinfectants apply to surfaces (not skin). It's
chemical that destroys bacteria. Think of a disinfectant as a
sanitizer. A disinfectant destroys bacteria that can be in
liquid or tablet form. Tablets can be activated by water, such
as Steramine quarternizing tablets. Other good examples of
disinfectants include Lysol products, such as Lysol Wipes,
pictured right or bleach. A disinfectant is stronger than an
antiseptic. It kills bacteria, and also viruses and fungi.
Germicidals are disinfectants. Any substance or agent that
kills germs on surface contact especially pathogenic
microorganisms is a disinfectant.

Antiseptics: Antiseptics apply to the skin (not to surfaces) to
prevent the growth and reproduction of disease-causing
microorganisms. An antiseptic is gentler than a disinfectant,
because its applied to living tissue. The microorganisms an
antiseptic deters include bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and
viruses! Believe it or not, some mouthwash is an antiseptic.
Mouthwash antiseptics include ingredients such as
cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine (available by
prescription from your Dentist), or zinc chloride.

Antibacterial: Antibacterials apply to skin and are active
against bacteria! An antibacterial is anything that is active
against bacteria, such as a soap, alcohol spray, antibacterial
gel or even saliva! Many people are surprised to know that
saliva has natural antibacterial properties. Saliva is the
reason why wounds in your mouth heal quickly. Think about
your instinct to lick a wound ~ it's nature's way of starting
the healing process. There are many natural antibacterials,
and vinegar is one of them!

any essential oils are natural antibacterials:

Antibiotics: Antibiotics are an agent that kills or inhibits the
growth of a microorganism applied topically or orally.
Antibiotics are transported... used in or on the body to kill or
inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Antibiotics have no
effect on viruses.

The general public, preppers included, use antiseptics and
disinfectants because of the growing concerns about microbial
contamination and infection risks.

When there is no doctor, preppers will need to be creative about
their medical supplies. Following is a list of antibacterials and
disinfectants to consider stocking. Many have uses beyond their
wound cleansing properties.

Disinfectants:
A disinfectant is an antimicrobial agent that you can apply to
surfaces, not skin. There are disinfecting wipes and sprays. The
best example of a disinfectant is Lysol disinfecting wipes, which
kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. They were in short supply
during Coronavirus.

Steramine (disinfectant). Pictured right, Steramine is a
commercial strength and economical household sanitizer that
applies to surfaces and not the skin. The tablets sanitize
food contact surfaces and equipment in restaurants, bars,
daycares, gyms, assisted living facilities, hotels, schools and
other industries. This sanitizing agent is a tablet that you
dissolve in water. It turns blue, but be careful to keep this
out of reach of children.

Happy endings...
As a prepper you'll extensively use antiseptics, antibacterials,
antifungals and disinfectants. Hopefully now you'll have a better
understanding about how they fit into your prepper inventory.

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