It’s a critical question, and the answer is often misunderstood. For an EPA-registered disinfectant to kill 100% of the germs and bacteria on a hard surface, the product must remain wet on the surface for at least 10 minutes. This is known as its “dwell time” or “kill time.”
Spraying and immediately wiping a disinfectant is considered sanitizing, which kills 99.9% of germs. While this may seem effective, in the world of germs, that remaining 0.1% can be significant. Germs double approximately every 7 minutes, so that small percentage can quickly multiply.
The Importance of Proper Disinfecting
For a disinfectant to be effective, it’s also essential to clean the surface first. Disinfecting a dirty surface is pointless, as the product won’t be able to reach and kill the germs hiding beneath the soil.

At Clean Green Solutions, our plant-based products are designed to be both powerful cleaners and effective disinfectants. They simplify the process by cleaning the surface first, allowing you to then properly disinfect and ensure a truly safe environment.
For a comprehensive guide to proper disinfecting, please find a link to the EPA’s guidelines on our website.
