The Facts on Cleaning and Disinfecting with Alcohols

Because the sudden and desperate need to prevent the spread of COVID-19, there has been a lot of confusion on if and how alcohols can be used to disinfect and sterilize. While Techspray traditionally has specialized in alcohol products intended to clean electronics and other industrial applications, it seems natural to consider our broad line of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) for that type of surface treatment.

While that is reasonable, some caveats need to be explained. Techspray does not offer cleaners listed on EPA’s List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19). The following are common methods of surface treatment per CDC guidelines*, and how Techspray alcohol products can be expected to perform:

CLEANING

The first step for preventing the spread of COVID-19 is cleaning surfaces, which physically removes virus and other contaminants. This is similar to washing your hands with soap and water, and very effective when followed by a disinfecting process. Alcohol products, including pre-saturated wipes, are effective and efficient for hard surface cleaning, and should be considered as critical part of an effective workspace hygiene regimen.

DISINFECTING

The second step is disinfecting. A disinfecting agent actually kills a virus. Alcohols are no longer specifically recommended by the CDC for disinfecting hard surfaces from SARS- CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). However, IPA and ethanol have been shown to be effective on lipophilic viruses (e.g. herpes, vaccinia, and influenza) per studies reported by the CDC. Ethanol is also effective on many hydrophilic viruses (e.g. adenovirus, enterovirus, rhinovirus, and rotaviruses). Their antimicrobial effectiveness drops when diluted below 50% concentration. The optimum concentration is 60-90% solutions in water, because water may denature microbe proteins and increase contact time by extending evaporation.

STERILIZING

Alcohols have been shown to be effective as bactericides, fungicides, and virucides. However, they cannot be considered for sterilization because they do not kill bacterial spores. Techspray alcohol products should NOT be used for those applications.

WIPES / MATERIAL   

Commercial-Grade Nonwoven Cellulose-Poly

Ideal for high volume applications like SMT stencil cleaning and industrial applications.

• 5”x8” (127mm x 203mm) wipe
• More alcohol per wipe and more absorbent
• Lint-free & snag resistant
• 150 wipes per tube – 50% MORE WIPES!

Nonwoven Polyester

• 5”x8” (127mm x 203mm) wipe
• Lint-free
• 100 wipes per tub

WIPE PACKAGING

Disposable Tubs

Low cost container can be reused, but is often discarded after use.

Flip-Top Tubs

Reusable container with spring-loaded flip-top lid to prevent dry-out.

Refill Rolls

Presaturated refill rolls fit both flip-top and disposable tubs to save money and reduce trash.

Individually Wrapped Wipes

One wipe per foil pouch avoids cross-contamination and is ideal for tool boxes and field service trucks.

Wipe size:

5.5” x 5.5” (140mm x 140mm).

ALCOHOL SELECTION GUIDE