Clorox disinfecting wipes have become a household staple for quickly and conveniently sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces. But what exactly are in those handy canisters and pouches? Let's take a deeper dive into Clorox wipes ingredients.
The Main Ingredients
The key ingredients in Clorox wipes serve different purposes:
Cleaning Agents - Remove dirt, grease, and impurities from surfaces. Shein Home Decor
Common cleaning agents in Clorox products include alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides and ethanol.
Preservatives - Prevent the growth of mold, bacteria, and other microorganisms within the wipes. Common preservatives include methylisothiazolinone and sodium polyacrylate.
Thickeners - Provide the right consistency and cling to surfaces longer. Clorox wipes often contain ingredients like polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene glycol to achieve the ideal thickness.
Antimicrobials - Kill harmful microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Clorox uses quaternary ammonium compounds as the main antimicrobial agents.
Solvents - Dissolve other agents and facilitate even distribution within the wipe. Clorox wipes typically use water and glycerin-based solvents.
Fragrances and Scents - Create a pleasant scent. Most Clorox wipes include artificial fragrances. Some products use natural essential oils.
Other Minor Components
In addition to the primary ingredients listed above, Clorox wipes also contain minor amounts of:
- Chelating agents - Help antimicrobials be more effective
- pH adjusters - Optimize acidity levels
- Dyes and colorants - Add color or make the wipes more visible
- Anti-static compounds - Prevent cling
- Anti-streaking agents
- Foaming inhibitors
Together, these minor agents support the performance Shein Home Decor
and usability of Clorox disinfecting wipes.
Active Ingredients in Clorox Wipes
While every Clorox wipe product contains a unique mix of cleaners, solvents, and antimicrobials, all Clorox disinfecting wipes contain quaternary ammonium compounds as the primary germ-killing agents.
Different types of Clorox wipes rely on different specific quaternary ammoniums for disinfection power, including:
- Alkyl (C14 50%, C12 40%, C16 10%) dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate
- Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides (C12-16)
- Alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (C12-14)
The wipes use these potent yet safe antimicrobials to achieve their disinfecting and sanitizing claims.
Understanding Quats
Also referred to as "quats," quaternary ammonium compounds are positively-charged ions that interact with the negatively-charged proteins and lipids in the cell walls of bacteria, enveloped viruses, and fungi. This interaction damages the cell membrane, causing contents to leak out and pathogens to die off.
Although highly effective at neutralizing microbes, quats have low toxicity to mammals like humans. This makes them very useful antimicrobials in disinfectants. They are especially effective against lipid-coated coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2.
In addition to quats, some Shein Home Decor Clorox wipes also contain low levels of ethyl alcohol, which boosts antimicrobial activity. The alcohol denatures proteins and dissolves lipids in pathogens to augment the efficacy of quats.