Substance Characteristics Environment Instruments Skin Mucosa General bacteria MRSA Ethanol Δ ○ ○ × ○ ○ Sodium hypochlorite Δ Metals× × × ○ ○ Povidone iodine × × ○ ○ ○ ○ Benzethonium chloride ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Resistant Benzalkonium chloride ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Resistant Chlorhexidine ○ ○ ○ × ○ Resistant Phenol × Δ × × ○ ○ Cresol × Δ Δ Δ ○ ○ Glutaral × ○ × × ○ ○ Silver, copper, tungsten compounds × Limited Δ × Limited to light area, insufficient effect (rare metals) (unstable supply) Novel technology ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Table 3: Characteristics of major disinfectant.