QUATERNARIES VS PHENOLICS AS DISINFECTANTS

QUATERNARIES

1. Readily combine with non-ionic surfactants, making excellent cleaners since they are great detergents them self.
2. They are water soluble.
3. Work best at pH round 10, which is best for soap detergency.
4. They provide high foam but also fast rinsing.
5. Relatively safe to use, some are approved for use as topical and as no rinse sanitizers in food handling areas.

PHENOLICS

1. Are inactivated by non-ionic surfactants, must be combined with anionic surfactants to formulate cleaners; these have lower cleaning power than non ionics .
2. Do not solubilize in water, detergents are needed to suspend them in water, or alcohols to solubilize them.
3. Maximal biocidal activity is achieved at pH of 6 to 7, when detergency is poor.
4. Poor rinsing properties and residues left by anionic soaps makes inappropriate for floor cleaning.
5. They have questioned safety for skin contact.
6. They have greater residuality than quaternaries.