Difference between sanitiser and disinfectant: what changes and what are the risks?

In the professional sector, the distinction between sanitisers and disinfectants is essential to ensure safe environments compliant with standards. These two terms are often used interchangeably, creating confusion and leading to incorrect product use.

This uncertainty can have critical consequences: inadequate hygiene may not eliminate viruses and bacteria in high-risk environments, while misuse of a disinfectant may lead to skin irritation or damaged surfaces. Furthermore, in regulated sectors such as catering (HACCP), health or the food industry, use of non-conforming products can lead to sanctions or safety issues.

 

However, what is the difference between sanitisers and disinfectants? And how can you choose the best product for your needs? Let’s find out in detail.

 

What is sanitiser and what’s it for?

Sanitisers are products that reduce the microbial load on surfaces, without fully eliminating viruses and bacteria. Their main task is to improve cleanliness by reducing the amount of micro-organisms present, however without having a certified biocidal action.

Unlike disinfectants, sanitisers are not subject to specific regulations and can be sold freely without ministerial authorisation. They are mainly used for routine cleaning, in environments where total elimination of pathogens is not required, such as schools, offices or restaurants.

They are for example suitable for daily sanitation of a restaurant table, helping to keep the surface clean but without guaranteeing the complete elimination of potential pathogens.

 

What is disinfectant and when should it be used?

Disinfectants are chemicals that can kill or inactivate viruses, bacteria, fungi and other high-risk agents. Unlike sanitisers, they require specific authorisation for release on the market.

 

Disinfectants must be registered as Medical Surgical Aids, in accordance with D.P.R. 392/1998: each Medical Surgical Aid disinfectant must be approved by the Ministry of Health and have a registration number that certifies its authorisation.

Nettuno is a company certified for the production of Medical Surgical Aids, or rather for the production of  Medical Surgical Aid products in compliance with legislation. Thanks to our advanced Research & Development department, we formulate and test our Medical Surgical Aid products to ensure their microbiological efficacy, dermatological safety, high cleansing power and sustainability.

 

How to choose the right product for your professional sector?

The choice between sanitiser and disinfectant depends on the level of microbiological risk in the environment and the specific sector needs. Here are some practical tips to help you decide.

• If the aim is to keep surfaces clean and reduce microbial load without requiring total disinfection, use of disinfectant is sufficient. Among the Nettuno products recommended as disinfectants, there are both LABIOGERM 80, a disinfectant in tablet form based on active chlorine, and CANDESAN, in effervescent tablet form, which combines cleaning power, stain removal and deodorant.
• In high-risk settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes or food laboratories, it is essential to use Medical Surgical Aid-certified disinfectants to ensure thorough hygiene and operator and user well-being. These products contain active ingredients capable of acting against pathogenic micro-organisms, such as viruses, yeast, fungi and bacteria. Nettuno’s PMC range offers ACTI SURFACE+ and LABIOBEN disinfectant, both ready to use and ideal for rapid treatment of hard surfaces.

  The same range has LABIOCLOR, a disinfectant and deodorant for general use, with high capacity to eliminate micro-organisms and improve cleanliness in the most delicate locations in terms of hygiene and safety.

• In sectors where strict regulations apply, such as those subject to HACCP and health regulations, use of disinfectants certified and approved by the Ministry of Health is mandatory. These products guarantee decisive elimination of bacteria, viruses and other risk factors, offering optimal safety to those who frequent the environment. Both LABIOSAN, our concentrated detergent based on Didecyl-Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride, and LABIOSEPT, a concentrated disinfectant based on Benzalkonium Chloride have been formulated specifically for the food and beverage sector.

  And BIOCLOR, disinfectant in effervescent tablets with 50% Dichloroisocyanurate Dihydrate, is perfect for deep hygiene in environments where compliance with HACCP rules is required.

• For hand hygiene in critical surroundings, DISINFECT+ (liquid or foam) disinfectant soaps offer advanced protection against viruses, bacteria and fungi, eliminating them in a matter of seconds.

 

Common errors: bacterial and dermatological risks

Misuse of sanitisers and disinfectants can compromise hygiene and safety, increasing the risk of contamination and reducing the effectiveness of sanitation procedures. Some examples? Here are three of the most common mistakes.

• Using sanitiser instead of disinfectant, given sanitiser reduces microbial load, however it does not suffice to completely eliminate viruses and bacteria. Therefore, misuse of sanitiser can promote the proliferation of pathogens, compromising safety and also breaching current regulations.
• Not protecting your skin when using disinfectants, as these products contain active chemicals that can cause skin irritation, dryness or allergic reactions. It is therefore essential to use safety gloves and proper moisturiser after use, to avoid the appearance of occupational dermatological diseases.
• Not respecting contact times indicated on the labels, considering that each disinfectant has a specific time to ensure the complete elimination of micro-organisms. Early removal can leave potentially active bacteria, fungi, yeast and viruses on the surface.

 

Nettuno: Medical Surgical Aid solutions for every need

Nettuno offers a complete range of certified Medical Surgical Aid products, developed to guarantee maximum high performance in every professional context. Our products are the result of careful research and rigorous microbiological tests, to offer you effective solutions.

Try our disinfectant hand soaps, surface disinfectant detergents, sanitisers and also our swimming pool water disinfectants, also part of the PMC range.

 

Contact us for a consultation: together, we’ll find the professional proposal that best suits your needs!!