At Microban, we get to work with some of the world’s finest scientific minds. Our in-house technical and innovation teams bring a combined 200+ years of expertise in developing the innovative and turnkey solutions we offer to our partners and prospects.
We have had the pleasure of partnering with brands like GE Appliances and Under Armour to provide best-in-class built-in antimicrobial and odor control solutions. We have also joined forces with prominent category leaders like PDI Healthcare and Procter & Gamble to develop market-disrupting cleaning solutions, including Microban 24-Hour cleaning products and Microban 24-Hour Professional cleaning products.
Microban’s expertise in both built-in antimicrobial technologies and residual disinfectant products has prompted several important questions. Are these solutions the same? Can one be replaced by the other, or are they intended to work in tandem? In this blog, we’ll unpack these questions and take a closer look at how each technology works - and how they can effectively complement one another.
What are the differences between built-in antimicrobials and 24-hour disinfectants?
There are three key differences between the built-in antimicrobials and 24-hour disinfectants:
- The way they are applied to surfaces
- The length of time they will actively fight bacterial growth
- The way they are registered with global regulatory bodies
Technology application
Built-in antimicrobial technology
Microban antimicrobial solutions are “built into” products during the manufacturing process to provide 'Protection That Lives On®'. To ensure the most seamless integration, we offer our technologies in various forms, including polymer pellets, powders, and liquid formulations.
The antimicrobial formulation becomes a permanent feature of the material, working continuously to inhibit the growth of stain and odour-causing microorganisms. The useful lifetime of finished goods can vary from years to decades, and we are proud to provide solutions for any substrate and surface.
Some examples of products with built-in antimicrobial product protection include:
- Building materials
- Cell phone, tablet, and laptop cases
- Hard surface flooring products
- Carpet, floor underlayment, and artificial turf
- Household appliances
- Door hardware
- Coatings and paint
- Pet products
- Shelving & storage, handling systems
- Medical products
- Food storage containers
- TSA screening trays and equipment
24-hour cleaning products
24-hour residual cleaning products are applied to surfaces by hand using formats such as triggered spray bottles or pre-moistened wipes. This type of application is commonly used in residential settings as a routine cleaning practice, in healthcare environments where medical professionals follow specific cleaning protocols, or in other commercial cleaning applications.
24-hour residual cleaning products allow surfaces to keep killing 99.9% of bacteria for 24 hours, even after multiple touches. For residual disinfection or Continuously Active Disinfection (CAD) products, there is increased surface protection, delivering 99.999% reduction of ESKAPE pathogens over 24 hours.
Technology performance
Built-in antimicrobial technology
Products manufactured with built-in antimicrobial solutions continuously resist the growth of stain- and odour-causing microorganisms for a product's useful life. The antimicrobial treatment does not wash off, wear away, or leach out of the treated product, and does not require reapplication.
Built-in antimicrobial product protection offers unique benefits to products and their end users by providing cleaner and fresher surfaces, maintaining cleanliness between cleanings, and enhancing both product durability and serviceable lifetime.
24-hour cleaning products
When a 24-hour residual cleaning product is applied to a surface, it eliminates 99.9% of bacteria within five minutes, and continues to provide antibacterial protection for up to 24 hours, even after multiple touches. 24-hour residual cleaning products can also prevent the growth of mold and mildew for up to 7 days on hard surfaces and 28 days on soft surfaces. This action is a key distinction from built-in antimicrobial technologies, which do not deliver an instant kill; instead, they work to prevent bacterial growth over time between cleanings.
Technology registrations
Both built-in antimicrobial agents and 24-hour residual cleaning products are registered as pesticides with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. and as biocides with the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) in Europe (BPR). However, there are some key differences in the registration processes and requirements for each technology.
Built-in antimicrobial technology
In the U.S., built-in antimicrobial technologies used in manufactured products are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). These products fall under what's known as the "treated article exemption." This means the antimicrobial treatment is approved specifically to protect the product itself - such as preventing bacteria or mold from damaging it - not to protect people using the product.
For a product to qualify for this exemption, the antimicrobial agent used must be registered for use in or on that type of item. When our partners promote Microban-treated products, their marketing clearly states that the protection applies to the product surface, not to users. Supporting accurate and compliant marketing claims is just one of the many value-added services we offer to our partners. Discover how we help bring antimicrobial innovations to market.
24-hour cleaning products
The registration process for 24-hour residual cleaning products differs from that of built-in antimicrobial technologies, primarily because residual cleaning products make public health claims against disease-causing organisms. Before such claims can appear on product labels or in marketing materials, the product must undergo extensive scientific testing to prove its effectiveness against all listed pathogens.
As part of this process, there is a strong emphasis on verifying the accuracy and efficacy of labels. Robust scientific data must fully support any language used on the product packaging. Because these products often claim to kill harmful human pathogens, regulatory bodies must carefully review all information to ensure that consumers are given accurate guidance on usage rates and application methods.
Conclusion
In short, built-in antimicrobials are designed to protect product surfaces by preventing the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew that cause stains and odors, typically over the lifetime of the product. On the other hand, residual cleaning products are intended to disinfect surfaces immediately and provide ongoing protection for a limited time.
Used together, 24-hour residual disinfectants and built-in antimicrobial technologies offer a complementary, proactive approach to creating cleaner, fresher products.
