FAQS

What is the difference between a “limited disinfectant”, “general disinfectant”, and “hospital disinfectant”?

You can determine a “limited”, “general”, or “hospital” disinfectant by the microorganisms listed on the label.

Limited must be supported by efficacy testing against either Salmonella enterica or Staphylococcus aureus

General must be supported by efficacy testing against both Salmonella enterica and Staphylococcus aureus

Hospital must be supported by efficacy testing against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

What is “broad spectrum” efficacy?

The EPA’s definition of a “broad spectrum” disinfectant is one that has public health claims for all three of the major classes of organisms:

•  Bacteria – effective against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria
• Fungi – effective against at least one pathogenic fungus (usually Trichophyton mentagrophytes)
• Viruses – effective against pathogenic viruses (at least one enveloped virus, such as Influenza A or one non-enveloped virus, such as Adenovirus)

If the above criteria are met, a disinfectant can make an unqualified “kills germs” claim on its label. Sanitizers are not considered broad spectrum by EPA’s definition since they are only meant to reduce bacteria levels

What’s the right way to dispose of the the wipes?

Always follow the instructions on the product you are using. In general, Everwipes™ are not designed to be flushed and should be disposed of in the trash. If the used wipe has blood and other body fluids on it, then it should be disposed of according to local regulations for infections waste disposal.

How many disinfectant wipes do I need/how do I know when it’s time to change out my wipe for a new one?

This is an important question, and the first step is always to read the product label. For our Everwipe™ Disinfectant Wipes (10100 & 101075), thoroughly wet the surface to the treated. That surface must remain visibly wet for disinfecting. Use enough wipes for the treated surface to remain visibly wet for 5 minutes. Allow surfaces to air dry.

What’s the right way to use a disinfectant wipe?

It is important to follow the Directions for Use on the product label.

For our Everwipe™ Disinfectant Wipes (10100 & 101075) the directions for use are;

CLEANING: Use one we should just pick one(wipe) to completely remove all (dirt) (and) (debris) from surfaces to be treated.

DISINFECTING: To disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces, thoroughly wet the surface to be treated. Treated surface must remain visibly wet for disinfecting. Use enough (wipes) (cloths) (towelettes) for treated surface to remain visibly wet for 5 minutes. For heavily soiled surfaces, clean before following disinfecting instructions. Allow surfaces to air dry.

Can I use your products on my hands and skin? What is the difference between disinfectants for my skin or a surface?

Everwipe™ offers a range of products – some designed for skin, and others designed for surfaces. It is always important to read the label carefully. Remember, disinfectants are for use on surfaces and hand sanitizers are for use on hands.

Are your products safe to use without gloves?

It very much depends on what disinfecting job you are dealing with! Our Everwipe™ Disinfectant Wipes (101075 and 10100) label says, “when handling items soiled with blood or bodily fluids, use disposable gloves, gowns, masks and eye coverings”. We would also suggest for those people regularly using our products, that they may be more comfortable wearing gloves, but it is not a requirement in normal circumstances.   

Please note the Caution statement on the product;

CAUTION: Causes moderate eye irritation. Avoid contact with eyes or clothing. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling.

What is Quat and does it kill Covid-19?

Quat refers to quaternary ammonium based disinfectants. It is widely used in disinfectants that are effective against human coronavirus. The latest reports are showing that quats are effective against Covid-19, however it is important to carefully read the label of the product you are using, and not assume any particular efficacy.

What is the difference between Quat and alcohol based disinfectants?

When we talk about alcohol-based disinfectants, we are most commonly referring to ethyl alcohol. At concentrations of 60-80% it is a good virucidal agent. Their main drawback is that they evaporate quickly but require long contact times to be effective – in addition they are highly flammable and can damage surfaces.

In contrast quat-based disinfectants (more correctly known as quaternary ammonium) are widely used as disinfectants and are also good cleaning agents. They are highly stable and have a rapid action with bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal activity.

What does it mean for a wipe to be “food safe”?

There are disinfectants that are designed to be used on surfaces that touch food. Sometime, the directions on the product label will indicate that the food-contact surface needs to be rinsed with water after using. Some products do not require a rinse after use – they are sometime referred to as “No-Rinse”.

Everwipe™ Disinfectant Wipes (10100 & 1010175) do require the food-contact surface to be rinsed with potable water after use. This is indicated on the product label.

How do we keep schoolrooms clean and disinfected?

According to the CDC, cleaning and disinfecting are key to limiting exposure and maintaining a safe environment during the Covid-19 pandemic. Reduce the spread of germs by keeping surfaces clean and reminding students of the importance of hand hygiene. Where possible, remove items from common areas that are unnecessary or difficult to clean and disinfect.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects within the classroom, such as door handles, desks and chairs, light switches. This should be at least daily or between use by different students. Limit the use of shared object when possible.

Close off areas used by a sick person and don’t use these areas until they have been cleaned and disinfected.

Store cleaning and disinfection products out of reach of students, in a secure location and keep product lids closed. Always follow the directions on the label of the product you are using. Never mix different products together.

For more information, you can view our article on best practices for keeping your common areas clean.

What is the difference between cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting?

Cleaning means to physically remove dirt, germs and debris from a surface – wipes are an excellent way to clean a surface.

Sanitizing means to apply a product that kills 99.9% of the germs identified on the label.

Disinfecting means to apply a product that kills (or inactivates) germs on surfaces or objects, as identified on the label.

It is important to read all product labels carefully.

Everwipe™ offers a range of products; Everwipe™ Surface Care wipes (11100 & 11150) are designed to deep clean, and Everwipe™  Disinfectant Wipes (10100 & 101075) are an antibacterial formula that cleans and sanitizes and disinfects in one step.

Always look for the EPA registration number on the product label to ensure you are using a product that sanitizes or disinfects.

Is the Everwipe Surface Care Wipe (11100) a disinfectant?

The Everwipe Surface Care Wipes (11100) are a cleaning wipe – they are designed to remove dirt and impurities from surfaces, reducing the risk of transmission through contact. They are not registered with the EPA and are therefore not a disinfectant. Disinfectants differ to cleaners in that they use chemicals to kill germs, viruses and other pathogens on surfaces. Disinfectant wipes are highly regulated products that are manufactured with specific chemicals and substrates to achieve specific claims against pathogens. They undergo rigourous laboratory testing that cleaning wipes simply do not.

Please do make sure to read the label of the product you have carefully and follow the usage information.

Everwipe™ items, #11100 & #10100 seem to have similar active ingredients but Everwipe™ Disinfectant Wipes #10100 is EPA-registered & the other is not, why is that?

Everwipe™ Surface Care Wipes (11100) are not registered with the EPA, because they are a cleaning wipe and not a disinfectant wipe. Our 101075 and 10100 products (Everwipe™ Surface Disinfectant Wipes) are registered with the EPA as both a sanitizer AND a disinfectant. Surface disinfectants are subject to more rigorous EPA testing requirements and must clear a high bar for effectiveness.

Despite the fact that the active ingredients are similar, the 11100 and 10100 are designed for different needs and are NOT the same.

Please do make sure to read the label carefully and follow the usage information.

Why do I find Stepan’s product when I google your product?

Our EPA registration number is 1839-190-88331, and the reason you may have found information about Stepan, is because Legacy is a sub-registrant of Stepan. Stepan is the manufacturer of important active ingredients in our products and is an important partner in ensuring our disinfectant products meet the stringent criteria they are required to meet through EPA’s guidelines. Stepan’s registrant number is 1839-190.

What is the difference between disinfect, sanitize and deodorize?

Great question! Our 101075 and 10100 products (Everwipe Surface Disinfectant Wipes) are registered with the EPA as both a sanitizer AND a disinfectant. Surface disinfectants are subject to more rigorous EPA testing requirements and must clear a higher bar for effectiveness than surface sanitizing products – our product has successfully completed both sets of testing. Importantly, sanitizers only have claims for bacteria, whereas disinfectants have claims for both bacteria and viruses.
The amount of time that the surface remains wet is an important factor, so as you correctly point out, if the surface is wet for 15 seconds, then our product is effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli (strain O157:H7). If the surface is wet for 60 seconds, then we can include into that list Campylobacter jejuni.
However when the surface is wet for 5 minutes, our product disinfects the long list of bacteria AND viruses that you see on the label (including those ones already mentioned for sanitizing).
Please do make sure to read the label carefully and follow the usage information.
We really appreciate your question, if you have further questions or comments, then please do let us know. Please check out our website for more information on our whole product range www.everwipe.com

Do the Everwipe™ Disinfectant Wipes have an expiration date?

We do not print an expiration date on our products, and it is not a requirement to do so. However, both of our Disinfectant wipes (the #101075 and #10100) may be stored for up to one year after production.

Does Everwipe™ Disinfectant Wipes have a claim against COVID-19?

The Everwipe™ Disinfectant Wipes (101075 & 10100) do not currently have a claim regarding human coronavirus (which includes Covid-19) in all 50 states.

We are working diligently with the EPA in each state to get this label updated as quickly as possible to allow it to be registered as an List-N disinfectant that is approved for use against Human Coronavirus. Until that process is completed with the EPA, we are not allowed to make any additional claims other than what is listed on the label currently. We believe this process will be completed quickly and suggest our customers check back frequently to see if their state has approved the new 10 minute kill claim and allow these disinfectants to be on the N-List and therefore make claims against Human Coronavirus.

You can find information from EPA about disinfectants for use against Covid-19 here, on the so-called List-N https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2-covid-19

How should we store Everwipe™ Disinfectant Wipes?

The Everwipe™ Disinfectant Wipes (101075 & 10100) should be stored in a dry place, no lower in temperature than 50F or higher than 120F. Keep away from heat, sparks and open flames. Store in original tightly closed container. Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Store in a well-ventilated place.

What is the kill time for Everwipe™ Disinfectant Wipes?

Our 101075 and 10100 products (Everwipe™ Surface Disinfectant Wipes) are registered with the EPA as both a sanitizer AND a disinfectant.

The amount of time that the surface remains wet (the contact time) is an important factor – if the surface is wet for 15 seconds, then our product is effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli (strain O157:H7). If the surface is wet for 60 seconds, then we can include into that list Campylobacter jejuni.

However when the surface is wet for 10 minutes, our product disinfects the long list of bacteria AND viruses (including Human Coronavirus). that you see on the label (including those ones already mentioned for sanitizing).

Please do make sure to read the label carefully and follow the usage information.

Are the Everwipe™ Disinfectant Wipes, #10100 and #101075 disinfectants?

Yes, our 101075 and 10100 products (Everwipe Surface Disinfectant Wipes) are registered with the EPA as both a sanitizer AND a disinfectant. Surface disinfectants are subject to more rigorous EPA testing requirements and must clear a higher bar for effectiveness than surface sanitizing products – our product has successfully completed both sets of testing. Importantly, sanitizers only have claims for bacteria, whereas disinfectants have claims for both bacteria and viruses.

The amount of time that the surface remains wet (the contact time) is an important factor. When the surface is wet for 5 minutes, our product disinfects the long list of bacteria AND viruses that you see on the label.

Please do make sure to read the label carefully and follow the usage information.