Antimicrobial activity of home disinfectants and natural products against potential human pathogens

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of both natural products (vinegar, baking soda) and common commercial disinfectants (Vesphene IIse, TBQ, Clorox, Lys ol Disinfectant Spray, Lysol Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner, Mr. Clean Ultra , ethanol) designed for home or institutional use against potential human p athogens, including selected antibiotic-resistant bacteria. DESIGN: A quantitative suspension test was used to assess the efficacy of s elected disinfectants following exposure times of 30 seconds and 5 minutes. Activity was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesu is, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Selected disinfec tants were also tested against poliovirus, vancomycin-susceptible and -resi stant Enterococcus species, and methicillin-susceptible and -resistant S au reus. RESULTS: The following compounds demonstrated excellent antimicrobial activ ity (>5.8-8.2 log(10) reduction) at both expo-sure times: TBQ, Vesphene, Cl orox, ethanol, and Lysol Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner. Mr. Clean eliminate d 4 to >6 logs,. and Lysol Disinfectant similar to 4 logs(10) of pathogenic microorganisms at both exposure times. Vinegar eliminated <3 logs(10) of S aureus and E coli, and baking soda <3 logs(10) of ail test pathogens. All tested chemical disinfectants completely inactivated both antibiotic resist ant and -susceptible bacteria at both exposure times. Only two disinfectant s, Clorox and Lysol, demonstrated excellent activity (>3 log(10). reduction ) against poliovirus. CONCLUSIONS: A variety of commercial household disinfectants were highly ef fective against potential bacterial pathogens. The natural products were le ss effective than commercial household disinfectants. Only Clorox and Lysol disinfectant were effective against poliovirus (Infect Control Hosp Epidem iol 2000;21:33-38).