Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008):
- Broad spectrum: should have a wide antimicrobial spectrum.
- Fast acting: should produce a rapid kill.
- Not affected by environmental factors: should be active in the presence of organic matter (e.g. blood, sputum, feces) and compatible with soaps, detergents and other chemicals encountered in use.
- Nontoxic: should not be harmful to the user or patient.
- Surface compatibility: should not corrode instruments and metallic surfaces and should not cause the deteriration of cloth, rubber, plastics and other materials.
- Residual effect on treated surfaces: should leave an antimicrobial film on the treated surface.
- Easy to use with clear label directions.
- Odorless: should have a pleasant odor or no odor to facilitate its routine use.
- Economical: should not be prohibitively high in cost.
- Solubility: should be soluble in water.
- Stability: should be stable in concentrate and use-diution.
- Cleaner: should have good cleaning properties.
- Environmentally friendly: should not damage the environment on disposal.