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The Ultimate Guide to Disinfectants for Facilities.

Defeat the invisible!

Cleaning removes visible dirt. Disinfecting kills the germs left behind — and it only works if you use the right product, at the right strength, for the right amount of time. If you buy the wrong disinfectant, you may not find out until it's too late. 

XO2 has manufactured disinfectants and sanitisers in Australia since 1968. No shortcuts or guesswork here. This guide covers what the compliance terms actually mean, how to pick between the options, and how to apply them correctly.

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What exactly is a Surface Disinfectant?

A surface disinfectant is a formulated product designed to destroy pathogenic microorganisms—such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi—that help the transmission of infectious diseases, including influenza, gastrointestinal bugs, and COVID-19.

Professional-grade disinfectants are different to standard general purpose cleaners. They are engineered to achieve specific reduction levels of harmful microbes on hard surfaces. Disinfectants are available in various formulations, including ready-to-use sprays including aerosols, pre-saturated disinfectant wipes, and concentrated liquids.

This type of products is considered essential across diverse range of commercial and institutional environments—ranging from commercial office desks and high-touch facility entryways to healthcare facilities, food preparation areas, and gym equipment.

Is there a difference between cleaners, sanitisers and disinfectants? Yep!

1

Cleaner

Cleaning aims to physically remove dirt, spills, soils and some germs from surfaces.

2

Sanitiser

Sanitising aims to remove or reduce the harmful germs on surfaces to a safe level.

3

Disinfectant

Disinfecting aims to kill 100% or close to 100% of germs and other disease-causing microorganisms on a surface.

What are the most common types of disinfectants and active ingredients used in facilities?

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)

These cationic surfactants are the most common active ingredients in professional disinfectant sprays and floor cleaners. They are cost effective, safe for most hard surfaces and can be supplied fragrance-free if required.

Chlorine Compounds: Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach)

Fast-acting, broad-spectrum options for high-level disinfection. Widely used for heavy-duty sanitation, disinfection of bodily fluids, and food processing areas.

Alcohols: Ethanol and Isopropanol

Fast-evaporating, residue-free and affordable option for sensitive hard surfaces.

Peroxides & Oxidizing Agents: Hydrogen Peroxide and Peracetic Acid

Eco-friendly, sustainable options breaking down into water and oxygen.  Commonly used in food and healthcare facilities.

Phenolics, Aldehydes & Iodophors

These have been largely replaced by safer alternatives, however, they are still used in specific, niche applications.

But what should you look for when choosing a disinfectant?

What are the key factors when choosing a disinfectant?

Disinfection should be done right. Cutting corners can really cost you. Consider these 5 factors.

Efficacy

Is your disinfectant effective against the specific microorganisms you're trying to eliminate?

(e.g. TGA listings, independant testing reports, influenza, COVID-19, Staph, E. Coli)

Surface Compatibility

Is the disinfectant safe to use on your surfaces or could it cause damage?

Be especially mindful on natural stone, timber, soft plastics, rubber, metals, painted surfaces and electronics.

Safety

Using disinfectants generally requires the use of some PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). 

Choose a disinfectant that's safe to use and won't cause harm. (e.g. non-dangerous goods and fragrance-free options)

Application Method

What is the best and easiest way to use a disinfectant in your facility?

There's many application methods available. (e.g. ready-to-use sprays, wipes, foggers, floor concentrates)

Cost

Calculating your cost per ready-to-use litre. 

Consider things like dilution and concentration when making a decision but don't cut corners.

What are the most popular ways to apply and dispense disinfectants?

Find the perfect ways to use and dispense disinfectants in your facility.

Disinfectant Aerosol Sprays

Ready-to-use spray for quick disinfection, cleaning and sometimes air freshening. Ideal for on high-touch surfaces and air spaces with no manual mixing or filling of bottles required.

Disinfectant Wipes + Dispensers

Pre-moistened hospital-grade wipes for single-step, convenient disinfection and cleaning in all traffic environments. Wall mounted and free-standing dispensers also available.

Bulk Liquids with Spray Bottles and Microfibre

Cost-effective bulk liquids paired with trigger sprays, microfibre cloths and microfibre floor mops for versatile surface hygiene. Hospital grade disinfection + disposable microfibre floor mops is the ultimate choice.

Full Release Aerosol Foggers + Hand Held Foggers

Disperses a fine mist to decontaminate entire rooms and reach hard-to-access spaces. The fog travels into crevices, cracks and hidey holes. Best of all, it’s cost-effective and low effort is needed.

Pump Up Foamer Sprayers

Creates thick, clinging foam to increase chemical dwell time on vertical and overhead surfaces. And a continuous spray button for prolonged, comfortable spraying.

Foaming Guns

Connects to hoses to quickly cover large areas in dense foam for heavy-duty cleaning. Accurately dilutes your cleaning solutions with excellent chemical resistance for acids and alkalines.

Automatic & Robotic Floor Scrubbers

This type of cleaning machine dispenses disinfectant cleaning solutions on to the floor then scrubs, and suction dries surfaces all in one pass to efficiently cover large spaces.

Automatic Dilution Mixing Stations

When connected to a water source these devices automatically dilute concentrates to guarantee precise chemical ratios every time. The best way to fill your bottle, bucket or tank... safely, easily and accurately.

Find the right products for your facility.


Disinfection of: 

High level disinfection and healthcare

Best product: Disso or Disso Wipes (TGA Listed, Hospital-Grade)

Best for: Surfaces and touchpoints in hospitals, aged care centres, child care, schools.

XO2 Category: Disinfectants & Sanitisers

Disinfection of: 

Commercial: Touchpoints

Best product: Aerosan or Disso or Disso Wipes 

Best for: Washrooms, corridors, foyers

XO2 Category: Disinfectants & Sanitisers

Disinfection of: 

Commercial: General

Best product: 5 in 1 or Bobby Dazzler

Best for: Washrooms, tables, floors, foyers and most hard surfaces.

XO2 Category: Disinfectants & Sanitisers

Disinfection of: 

Commercial: Floors

Best product: Bobby Dazzler

Best for: Shiny floors, foyers, tiles, vinyl and natural stone for a streak-free finish.

XO2 Category: Disinfectants & Sanitisers

Disinfection of: 

Food Areas: General

Best product: Cleansan (Food Area Approved)

Best for: Surface wiping and floors in restaurants, commercial kitchens and food manufacturing areas

XO2 Category: Food Area Cleaners & Sanitisers

Disinfection of: 

Food Areas: Floors, Walls + Equipment

Best product: Pro Foam (Food Area Approved)

Best for: Floors, walls and equipment in restaurants, commercial kitchens, food manufacturing areas, butcheries, abattoirs and fisheries

XO2 Category: Food Area Cleaners & Sanitisers

Disinfection of: 

Food Areas: No Rinse 

Best product: Protect (Food Area Approved)

Best for: Commercial kitchens, food manufacturers, butcheries, abattoirs and fisheries for sanitising equipment, counters, floors and hard surfaces.

XO2 Category: Food Area Cleaners & Sanitisers

Disinfection of: 

Food Areas: Produce

Best product: Vegisan (Food Area Approved)

Best for: Sanitising vegetables and fruit in commercial kitchens, food manufacturers, restaurants, canteens, cafes and fruit & vegetable stores.

XO2 Category: Food Area Cleaners & Sanitisers

Disinfection of: 

Air Conditioners

Best product: Air Guardian (TGA Listed, Hospital-Grade)

Best for: Disinfection treatment and cleaning of air conditioner systems

XO2 Category: Disinfectants & Sanitisers

Disinfection of: 

Blood, Urine, Vomit & Faeces Spills

Best product: Disso or Disso Wipes (TGA Listed, Hospital-Grade)

Best for: Disinfection and decontamination of surfaces with blood, urine, vomit and faeces.

XO2 Category: Disinfectants & Sanitisers

Disinfection of: 

Flood Damaged Areas

Best product: Disso or Pro Foam

Best for: Cleaning and treatment of flood damaged indoor areas.

XO2 Category: Disinfectants & Sanitisers

Disinfection of: 

Gym & Fitness Equipment

Best product: Disso or Disso Wipes or iSanitise Wipes 

Best for: Gym equipment, mats and other fitness apparatus.

XO2 Category: Disinfectants & Sanitisers

Disinfection of: 

Sandpits

Best product: Sandy Cracks

Best for: Sandpits in childcare centres, playgrounds, holiday parks, schools or homes.

XO2 Category: Disinfectants & Sanitisers

Disinfection of: 

Sanitary Hygiene & Nappy Bins 

Best product: Sanifresh (granule for inside bins) or Disso Wipes (cleaning all surfaces)

Best for: Feminine hygiene bins and nappy bins

XO2 Category: Sanitary Hygiene Disposal Bins, Bags & Accessories

Disinfection of: 

Sensitive Electronic Equipment

Best product: IPA Wipes - Isopropyl Alcohol (Hospital Grade)

Best for: Screens, phones, keyboards, pin pads, door handles

XO2 Category: Disinfectants & Sanitisers

Disinfection of: 

Spa Baths & Pipes

Best product: SpaKling

Best for: Treatment of spa surfaces, pumps, pipes, jets and drains in commercial and domestic spa baths and hydrotherapy spa baths.

XO2 Category: Shower, Bathtub & Spa Cleaners

The XO2 Disinfectant & Sanitiser Selection Guide

Need help choosing the right professional disinfectant or sanitiser for your business or facility? Find the right product everytime with this easy to follow 1-page comparison guide.

Learn more

Getting the application right.

Here's the 4 steps to using disinfectants effectively.

1

Pre-cleaning

Clean what you can see. For best results remove any organic matter and surface soil before disinfecting.

2

Apply the Disinfectant

Always wear gloves and any other required PPE. Use the disinfecatnt at the proper dilution and apply following the directions provided.

3

Contact Time

Allow the surface to remain wet with the disinfectant for the specified kill time. Then wipe or rinse off any excess if necessary. For surfaces that may come in contact with skin or children (eg. highchairs, toys) rinse thoroughly/.

4

Stay in Control

Keep a consistent cleaning schedule to stay on top of your cleaning and hygiene.

Disinfection by facility.


Schools + Childcare

Surface disinfection of desks, toys and high-touch points. Use hospital grade products during flu and gastro outbreaks.

Healthcare + Aged Care

Hospital-grade disinfection required with TGA Listed products and documented contact times. Non-negotiable.

Hotels, Resorts + Accommodation

Surface disinfection in guest rooms, common touchpoints and food & beverage areas.

Commercial Offices

Surface disinfection of desks, kitchens, touchpints and shared equipment.

Gyms + Fitness Centres

Surface disinfection of change rooms, mats, shared equipment and touchpoints like door handles and switches.

Professional Cleaners

Professionals require a combination of disinfectant options to cover a wide range of client requirements.

Hospital-Grade Disinfectants vs Probiotic Cleaners... which is better?

Every facility should use both. Here's why...

There are areas that will always only use disinfectants because they are high-risk crital environments (eg. operating theatres). This following section does not apply to these crital areas. But what about for everywhere else? 

Here's one way to think about it... when you're sick, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics. At the end of your course of antibiotics many people choose to assist their recovery and gut health by taking probiotics. If you were aiming for optimium health, you wouldn't take antibiotics as a supplement forever indefinitely but you may consider taking probiotics long term. In the same way, over using disinfectants within a facility can have consequences and using probiotics over the long term has little downside risk. 

One of those consequences can be AMR or antimicrobial resistance. This happens when germs—such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites—change and develop the ability to defeat the medicines and disinfectants that were designed to kill them. It's where we get the term "superbugs" and "sick building syndrome" from. As a result, products that used to be effective stop working, making common infections harder or even impossible to treat, which can lead to longer illnesses and increased health risks.

So in a nutshell, every facility cleaning program would be wise to incorporate both hospital-grade disinfectants and probiotic cleaners. Here's 2 of Australia's most popular options and some pros and cons.

Example: Hospital-Grade Disinfectant

Disso
Use when and where you have to. Use when a problem is being addressed eg. flu season, gastro outbreaks, COVID, trauma cleans, deep cleaning, infection control, for bodily fluids or high risk environments.

Learn More
  •  Effective on blood, bodily fluids and infections.
  • Regular use and overuse may contribute to AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance)
  • Kills both good and bad microbes.
  •  All-in-one... for wiping and mopping
  •  Safe on all washable surfaces.
  •  Fragrance-free, odourless and non-tainting.
  •  Reliable for high-risk and crital areas.
  •  Reduces odours.

Instant setup, satisfied or reimbursed.

Example: Probiotic Cleaner

P12

Recommended for everyday and regular use in non-medical and non-critical areas.

Learn More
  •  Promotes a healthy microbiome. The good bacteria outcompetes the bad.
  •  Surfaces keep getting cleaner over time.
  •  Will not cause or contribute to AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance)
  •  No gloves or PPE required. Eco-friendly.
  •  All-in-one... for wiping and mopping
  •  Safe on all washable surfaces.
  •  Fragrance-free, odourless and non-tainting.
  •  Effective at eliminating odours.
  •  Allergy friendly. Family friendly. Pet friendly.
  • Not suitable for blood, bodily fluids and infections.
  • Not suitable for operating theatres and critical areas.

Instant setup, satisfied or reimbursed.

Disinfectant + sanitiser categories.

Explore Australia's leading range of disinfectant and sanitiser products manufactured by XO2®.

Disinfectants & Sanitisers 

(Including Hospital-Grade)

Disinfectant Wipes & Dispensers

Food Area Cleaners & Sanitisers

Decontamination & Antimicrobial Treatments

Toilet Seat Sanitisers

Hand Hygiene 

(Including Hand Sanitisers)

Common questions

Here are some common questions about disinfectants and sanitisers.

Methods of applying disinfectant and sanitiser products vary according to the type of product being used (eg. granules, liquid) and the application (eg. problem solving, regular use, automatic use). Some of the methods include:

A TGA-listed hospital-grade disinfectant is a cleaning solution approved and regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia for use on hard surfaces within healthcare and clinical environments, such as hospitals, clinics, and aged care facilities. These products include...

- ARTG Listing and AUST L Number: To be legally supplied for healthcare use, the product must be included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Most carry an AUST L number, meaning they have been assessed for safety, quality, and compliance with their labeled claims.
- Pathogen Destruction: Unlike regular household cleaners, TGA listed disinfectants undergo stringent testing to ensure they effectively eliminate microorganisms—including bacteria, viruses, and fungi—that can cause infections.
- Compliance and Efficacy: Products making specific claims must comply with TGA standards. They are only considered compliant and effective when used strictly according to the manufacturer's approved concentration, application directions, and contact/dwell times.

No. Never mix different chemical products or disinfectants together. Combining chemicals can neutralise their active ingredients, significantly reduce product effectiveness, and possibly trigger dangerous chemical reactions that release toxic fumes or gases.

  1. Incorrect Dilution: Failing to follow exact manufacturer ratios when mixing concentrates can render the product ineffective or damage surfaces. Check out our XO2 Chemical Dilution Calculator for help.
  2. Ignoring Contact (Dwell) Time: Wiping or drying surfaces prematurely prevents the active ingredients from destroying targeted pathogens.
  3. Using Expired Products: Degraded chemical compounds lose potency over time. Always verify manufacture and expiry dates.
  4. Using Inferior Products: Low-quality or unverified alternatives may lack third-party laboratory validation or regulatory listings. (Quality XO2 disinfectants feature rigorous testing and TGA-listed hospital-grade options).
  5. Applying Disinfectant to Dirty Surfaces: Organic soil and grime block chemical contact, reducing efficacy. Always pre-clean surfaces before disinfecting.
  6. Neglecting Safety Protocols: Failing to wear appropriate PPE and not ensuring adequate ventilation can expose staff to skin, eye, or respiratory irritation.

Yes. Over time, active chemical compounds degrade, reducing the product's ability to effectively destroy pathogens. Always check the product label for the expiry date and replace your stock accordingly. XO2 disinfectants typically feature a 2-year shelf life from the date of manufacture when stored under recommended conditions.

Reusable cloths can spread germs and are less hygienic unless washed frequently at high temperatures after a single use. To avoid cross-contamination, use single-use paper towels, dry disposable wipes, or pre-loaded disinfectant wipes.
In your workplace there's probably several different areas that can benefit from using both disinfectant wipes and sprays. One disinfection solution will rarely fit all workplaces. 

Wipes are the most intelligent solution if you’re after convenience, safety, and hygiene. Sprays and liquids are your best bet for disinfection at a more budget-friendly price and for harder-to-wipe surfaces.

No. Some chemical formulations can corrode, discolour, etch, or damage specific materials. Some surfaces that can easily damage include natural stone, soft plastics, rubber, metals and untreated timber. It's important to always verify surface compatibility via the product label and technical data before application. If you are still not certain, test the product first in an inconspicuous area before proceeding.

You will usually get what you pay for. Considering things like dilution and concentration when making a decision is still a good idea. This will help you calculate the ready-to-use cost per litre. Click here to visit XO2's Chemical Cost Calculator.

Remember that effective disinfection is critical to facility health, hygiene, and safety. It's an area where cutting corners can introduce significant risk. Make sure you source professional-grade products from reputable manufacturers with verified claims. Be very cautious of low-cost, unverified alternatives that may rely on fragrances and colours without providing documented antimicrobial efficacy. You may also come across  high cost products with false claims too.

Technically no, but a disinfectant is a specific type of antimicrobial. 

In a nutshell, a disinfectant is a type of antimicrobial but all antimicrobials are not disinfectants. Antimicrobial is a very broad umbrella term that includes lots of substances. 

An antimicrobial can be used on surfaces, on living tissue (eg. antiseptics), or inside the body (eg. antibiotics). They may kill microbes (cidal) or simply inhibit their growth and reproduction (static). Whereas disinfectants are primarily used on non-living objects and surfaces. These are designed to destroy or deactivate pathogenic microorganisms on contact within a specific timeframe. 
No. Using more disinfectant than directed does not make surfaces more hygienic and can leave residues that attract dirt and bacteria faster. Always follow the recommended guidelines, or use disinfectant wipes to ensure the correct amount is applied.
Yes there is. Check out iSanitise Zero by XO2. You can buy it as a bulk liquid that also foams or as a pre-moistened wipe. The wipes are available in a portable 100 wipe tub or in a 1000 wipe roll used in wall mounted and freestanding dispensers. Here's some links to check out...

- 'iSanitise Zero' Wipes - Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitiser & Surface Cleaner Wipes
- 'iSanitise Zero' Wall-Mounted Dispenser Station Starter Kit
- 'iSanitise Zero' Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitiser
Disinfection frequency depends heavily on facility usage, traffic volume, and environmental risk factors. High-traffic zones and frequently handled surfaces (also called touchpoints) facilitate the rapid transfer of nasties. Consider these 4 factors when working out how often you should disinfect.

1. High-Touch Points: Surfaces and objects handled or touched frequently by multiple people—such as door handles, light switches, handrails, elevator buttons, shared desks and keyboards—should be disinfected at least daily. Pre-saturated disinfectant wipes are very effective for these areas, offering convenience and simplifying the decontamination on most surface types.

2. Seasonal Risks: Increase disinfection frequency during the winter months or peak flu seasons. This is when pathogens survive longer on surfaces and transmission rates in the community rise.

3. Infection Outbreaks and Incidents: Thorough disinfection of affected areas should be conducted where illnesses are recorded. Especially when cold, flus and gastro cases have been reported. If vomit or other bodily fluids are present, highly levels .

4. Regulatory and Health Directives: Your relevant public health authorities may mandate increased cleaning frequencies during outbreaks or elevated community health risk periods.

Natural disinfectants are not always safer or better. While some ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, and tea tree oil have antimicrobial properties, they often lack regulatory recognition because they cannot pass required testing. It is important to research and choose disinfectants that are proven to be effective.
At XO2, we are manufacturers of White Cleaning Vinegar. It is a very effective cleaner for certain cleaning tasks and it has some antibacterial action. While it's a great cleaning product, White Cleaning Vinegar is not recognized by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) as a proven disinfectant. For proper disinfection, XO2 recommends using a TGA-listed hospital-grade disinfectant, such as Disso.

No. While bleach is a powerful sanitiser, it has limitations for use in commercial facilities: 
- Pre-Cleaning is Required: Bleach fails to disinfect effectively if organic soil is present.
- Short Shelf Life & Degradation: Active chlorine potency reduces daily and is easily degraded by heat, sunlight, water hardness, exposure to air and container contaminants.
- Daily Mixing: Fresh solutions must be mixed daily to maintain efficacy, making it less stable and more labour-intensive than modern commercial disinfectants.
- The Smell: Bleach, even when fragranced can give off a very unpleasant and overpowering smell that many people find uncomfortable to be around.
Whether disinfectants are septic safe depends on several things. While antimicrobial chemicals can harm necessary microbes in septic systems, safety ultimately relies on:

- The application method: Correct spray-and-wipe usage usually prevents disinfectants from entering the tank at all.
- Dilution and concentration: The amount of chemical relative to water.
- Frequency: How often the solution enters the system.
- Tank context: What other substances are entering the tank and when.

By evaluating these factors for your specific cleaning tasks, you can determine whether your application poses a risk to your septic system.
Professional strength disinfectants will almost always recommend gloves be used at a minimum. At XO2, we recommend that gloves always be worn and all PPE specified on the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) be worn also. At the end of the day it's the user that chooses the protection they want. Our strong advice is to follow the recommendations. Be cautious of any product that says no gloves or PPE is requirted.
We all have our favourite word that means disinfectant. Some people even use a brand name like Dettol, Disso or Glen 20. Technically the definitions of all these alternate words might be slightly different but they all fall under the same umbrella. Here are some of the most popular names: disinfectant, disso (nickname for disinfectant), germicide (kills germs), antiseptic (stops the growth of disease-causing microorganisms), steriliser (completely destroys all microorganisms), sanitiser (reduces bacteria to safe levels), bactericide (destroys bacteria), and antimicrobial (kills or slows down the spread of microorganisms).

We're here to help.

Give us a call on 1300 123 499 or send us a message if you're not sure which product fits your space — no lock-in contracts, no hard sell, just the right answer.

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