Most Disinfectants Not As Good As Claimed: Watchdog

The Consumer Council has found that most disinfectant sprays it tested are not as effective as they claim – and some are completely useless, adding alcohol solution and diluted bleach work much better and cost a lot less.

The watchdog said on Thursday that it surveyed 15 "multi-purpose" disinfectants available in Hong Kong, with nine of them claiming they could kill at least 99 percent of germs.

But tests revealed that only four reached the standard in killing viruses.

Twelve of them do not perform as well as diluted bleach.

Diluted bleach's germ killing rate, meanwhile, reached 99.83 percent, with 75 percent alcohol solution being 87.98 percent effective.

A spokeswoman for the council, Nora Tam, also warned against spraying disinfectants directly at people, or using large quantity at home or in indoor areas, as they could irritate the skin, cause allergy or contaminate food.

Tam also reminded people to observe other personal hygiene practices, such as washing hands often, and wearing masks properly.

The council added that it had passed the findings to the Customs and Excise Department to see if any products have breached the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.