Sanitizing With Ammonium Solutions

The best way to use quaternary ammonium as a routine sanitizer is to really understand what is needed in terms of strength.  This is why using our AQA 1507  quaternary ammonium test kit is the key to really doing it the right way.

"Quats" are active against a wide variety of microorganisms.  Unlike bleach, "quats" are odorless and colorless.  And, also unlike bleach, they are are non-corrosive, so they will be safer to use over time with metal equipment and surfaces.  Their antimicrobial action is varied and selective, but they are generally as effective as bleach/chlorine solutions.

The most common "quat" is benzalkonium chloride.  It is commonly used in water dilution to create a highly effective sanitizing solution.  The standard for "quat" mixing is 200 PPM.  There are over 40 suppliers that provide "quat" sanitizing concentrates.  Each one needs testing to be sure that appropriate concentration has been achieved.

Using the test kit is simple:

• Remove the foil covering the paper roll in the plastic roll holder

• Place the roll back in the dispenser so that you can tear off strips of the paper for testing

• Use the quat mixing guidelines below to mix your Concentrate solution

• TEST to make sure that the solution is strong enough to sanitize

• Make sure that your quat solution is at 200 PPM (or other appropriate concentration) using the color reference chart.

• If the solution is is below 200, add more quat concentrate

• If the solution is obviously above 200, you must dilute down to 200

Why Use Test Strips?

The answer is simple: you don't always get "quat" solutions of the right strength, even if you follow mixing instructions.  What causes this?  Sometimes water used for "quat" preparation contains natural chemicals that work to weaken the solution and sometimes the "quat" concentrate itself has lost strength.