Can a natural product work as a disinfectant?

[science_spot]

This is the question arthistmom recently asked me to look into, specifically regarding the CleanWell product line.  Their website indicates the products kill 99.99% of germs such as MRSA, E.coli, staphylococcus and Salmonalla (as tested in an independent laboratory setting per protocols determined by the FDA and EPA).  Notice they make no claims to killing virus and they do not use the word disinfect (see previous two posts about Wipes and How to kill a virus for more details on terminology).

Please note I wrote to the company using the 'contact us' link on their website and did recieve an answer to my questions 6 days later.  The answers were well written and explained what I needed to know, very well.

Cleanwell does not make products for cleaning surfaces (such as the surface wipes in my previous post) - they make hand sanitizer and handsoap for use in the home, and as such, their products and marketing claims are regulated by the FDA.  The FDA does not allow any product to be labeled as anti-viral, so these products do not make this claim, nor were they tested against virus.  Their products are all natural and chemical free, and they post all their ingredients right on their website, which is one thing many companies don't do. 

But do they work?  A quick look at the ingredients revelas thyme, citrates and copper, which are long known for antimicrobial properties.  In addition, thyme is heavily used as a natural cure for a variety of bacteria-induced ailments, with a use history dating back thousands of years.  Thyme preparations are used in a variety of products, including the derivative, thymol, that is used as an active ingredient in listerine.

Just the presence of these components in their formulations does not mean they are there at a concentration that would be active, but the (AOAC) testing required for FDA approval for 'antibacterial' labeling indicates they do work.  According to the email answers I received, they test (by time kill) against E Coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA and Salmonella (same as most other products, including the wipes). They have patented the formulation, which currently prevents any other companies from duplicating the recipe exactly.  Even so, the products are more costly, mostly due to the higher manufacturing and raw material costs they pay due to smaller batch sizes.  I expect if these products catch on, the price will come down.

So what about the virus?  Since they make no claims about killing virus, and we know they have not been tested for that purpose, we can assume they don't work against virus.  In the case of the handsoap, this isn't really an issue because the act of handwashing is a physical removal of the virus (not chemical "death").  In regards the handsanitizer, which kills bacteria without rinsing the hands after, leaving live virus on the surface might not be desireable.  It all depends on your expectations of the product. 

I hope this post helps you understand what your expectation should be from the products.  If you are concerned about virus on the hands, washing with warm soapy water or using an alcohol based sanitizer is probablly a safer bet.  If you are concerned about virus, I don't think this product is for you!

 

Tonya

AKA sunmoonstars

The Science Spot

 

 

 

[logansmomma2007]

Sep. 9, 2009 at 7:06 AM

Thanks for looking into this :-)

[arthistmom]

Sep. 9, 2009 at 10:23 AM

Fantastic info--didn't know that thyme is such an ancient remedy. I love the smell of the product and will definitely continue to use it. Between this, Clorox Wipes, and vigilant handwashing, I think we're covered. Thanks so much!

[logansmomma2007]

Sep. 9, 2009 at 10:38 AM

I'm curious about vinegar as a disinfectant.  I clean with it all the time and have wondered if its acidic properties kill bacteria/viruses.

[Momforhealth]

Sep. 9, 2009 at 11:20 AM

Ok lady, you are making me do research.lol  My company has the first EPA approved botanical disinfectant.  It says here as I am looking at it that it kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses on hard and nonporous surfaces.  kills influenza type A too but it is a private company and I can not provide the name publically.  The only way would be for me to present it to anyone who would like to know more.  Its great though and if we are sick in the house, it seems to disappear once I get it and clean with it as I will not use bleach or lysol.

[Momforhealth]

Sep. 9, 2009 at 12:09 PM

correction..sorry..disinfects against. many common viruses like Influenza A and a few others.  Kills many of the dangerous bacteria.

[science_spot]

Sep. 9, 2009 at 12:23 PM

logansmomms - See my post about the virus - http://www.cafemom.com/journals/read/1521123/How_to_Kill_a_Virus

And also, vinegar is not marketed to kill bacteria, but it is widely know, and tested by Good Housekeeping, to kill bacteria as a sanitizer.  They don't have it on the label because it is not registered with the EPA (as required) for a cleaning product.

 

(Original Poster)

[science_spot]

Sep. 9, 2009 at 12:32 PM

Here is a product that is labeled as a disinfectant, as it is made for cleaning surfaces, not the human body:

http://www.melaleuca.com/ProductStore/Product.aspx?sku=4020

Notice it uses the same active ingredients (thyme and citric acid). Finding this has increased my confidence level in products of this type :)

(Original Poster)