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, Lysol Disinfectant Spray, Lysol Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner, Mr. Clean Ultra, ethanol) designed for home or institutional use against potential human pathogens, including selected antibiotic-resistant bacteria. DESIGN: A quantitative suspension test was used to assess the efficacy of selected disinfectants following exposure times of 30 seconds and 5 minutes. Activity was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Selected disinfectants were also tested against poliovirus, vancomycin-susceptible and -resistant Enterococcus species, and methicillin-susceptible and -resistant S aureus. RESULTS: The following compounds demonstrated excellent antimicrobial activity (>5.8-8.2 log(10) reduction) at both expo-sure times: TBQ, Vesphene, Clorox, ethanol, and Lysol Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner. Mr. Clean eliminated 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 resistant and -susceptible bacteria at both exposure times. Only two disinfectants, Clorox and Lysol, demonstrated excellent activity (>3 log(10). reduction) against poliovirus. CONCLUSIONS: A variety of commercial household disinfectants were highly effective against potential bacterial pathogens. The natural products were less effective than commercial household disinfectants. Only Clorox and Lysol disinfectant were effective against poliovirus (Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2000;21:33-38).