What is the required contact time for EPA disinfectants on precleaned, hard, nonporous surfaces?

• A. 1 minute
• B. 5 minutes
• C. 10 minutes
• D. 20 minutes

Answer: (C)

Ten minutes is the required contact time. The idea behind contact time is that the disinfectant must stay wet on the surface for a specific duration so its active ingredients can effectively inactivate microbes. On precleaned, hard, nonporous surfaces, EPA-registered disinfectant labels typically specify ten minutes as the wet contact time to reliably kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. After applying the product, keep the surface visibly wet for the full ten minutes and don’t wipe or rinse early. If the surface dries before the time is up, reapply and repeat the ten-minute period. Once the full contact time has passed, you can wipe away any residue or let it air dry per the label. Remember to start with cleaning first, since removing visible dirt improves disinfectant effectiveness. While some products may require different times, the label’s ten-minute instruction is the standard this item tests.