How to Make Disinfectant Wipes?

[Bongleur]

"Most people associate Clorox with bleach; however, both Clorox and Lysol disinfecting wipes are completely free of bleach. Instead, their active ingredient is Alkyl C12-18 Dimethylbenzyl Ammonium Chloride. This ingredient is an antimicrobial ammonium compound responsible for disinfecting and sanitizing surfaces."

This is commonly called B.A.C. - Benzyl Ammonium Chloride. It consists of 3 chain lengths - C12, C14, C18. Each has a different effectiveness against Gram Positive, Gram Negative bacteria, mold & mildew, and virii.

Household cleanser labels will show a different percentage for each of the three, because
1) they want to make it as cheaply as possible.
2) they might boost one to make a product specifically for one type of infectious agent.

However, the USP [U.S. Pharmacopaea (sp)] regulations specify max & min percentages for each.
Some chemistry porn for those who are bored:
https://sci-hub.tw/10.1002/jps.2600720320

I have not gone looking specifically for research on BAC vs virii.
So I go back to that Jan2020 survey paper:
https://sci-hub.tw/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30566-3

suspension test:
Benzalkonium chloride
0.2% HCoV ATCC VR-759 (strain OC43) 10 min 0.0
0.05% MHV Strains MHV-2 and MHV-N 10 min >3.7
0.05% CCV Strain I-71 10 min >3.7
0.00175% CCV Strain S378 3 days 3.0
The last number is the log10 reduction.

So you need LONG wet contact times.
And it doesn't do a thing against Human Coronavirus.
I don't know which of those is the best proxy for COVID-SARS-2.
I conclude that its a poor choice for wiping things down, chlorine or alcohol are preferable.

 

[Bongleur]

I have been able to find 99 percent "technical grade" recently on amazon. Interesting article here about differences in percentages and the importance of water: https://labproinc.com/blog/chemical...ce-between-isopropyl-alcohol-ipa-99-and-70-25

Good that its back in stock. I ordered on Apr9, and it fell off the truck. So two weeks later I had to pay 3x as much, and wait another week for delivery. Its been out of stock since just after I ordered.

For $10 you can get a set of graduated cylinders & beakers. Easy to make any dilution you want.

 

[Spock]

Anyone wanting alcohol for disinfection should check out your liquor stores for everclear. I bought a fifth of 195% for $15.00. They had plenty, it's not available in every state so check your laws.

Not trying to nit-pick... just mentioning it in case others go looking for 195% Everclear.

Everclear "is bottled at 120, 151, 189, and 190 U.S. proof (60%, 75.5%, 94.5% and 95% alcohol by volume, respectively)."


When buying Everclear you need to read the label to make sure its strong enough starter stock (the 190 proof stuff) if you're planning on diluting it with water/aloe/essential oil/eye of newt/etc.

 

[MRG]

Not trying to nit-pick... just mentioning it in case others go looking for 195% Everclear.

Everclear "is bottled at 120, 151, 189, and 190 U.S. proof (60%, 75.5%, 94.5% and 95% alcohol by volume, respectively)."


When buying Everclear you need to read the label to make sure its strong enough starter stock (the 190 proof stuff) if you're planning on diluting it with water/aloe/essential oil/eye of newt/etc.

I realized too late I'd fat fingered proof vs %. Thank you much.