The test criteria
The Enders laboratory in Stuttgart, which specializes in viruses and germs, tested ten disinfectants and ten soaps for us. The experts tested in a test tube whether the different products neutralized viruses within 15 and 30 seconds. To do this, they used the vaccinia virus, a variola virus, which, like those of covid and influenza, has a fatty acid membrane in which proteins are stored. If a lot of protein is on the epidermis (for example, from blood or other bodily fluids), disinfectants are less effective. Since soap is preferred for dirty hands, the laboratory evaluated the effectiveness of soaps with a high protein load. On the other hand, since the disinfectant is used more on clean hands, the experts evaluated them with a lower amount of protein.
Note that our sample only includes “limited virucidal” disinfectants capable of neutralizing viruses with membranes. The test does not say how quickly the products are effective in neutralizing viruses without membranes, such as noroviruses, the pathogens of diarrhea. To eliminate this type of virus, “virucidal” disinfectants are necessary.
–
–
