Your Mission: First Destroy, then Protect

Professionals who use disinfectants know that a disinfectant’s primary function is to destroy pathogenic microbes (tiny life forms that cause disease). These microbes cause disease in life forms that we want to protect, such as people and animals. Products labeled with the suffix “-cidal”, as in “fungicidal” or “bactericidal,” kill dangerous microbes. All EPA-registered products, by design, have a minimal kill capability to ensure that they kill pathogenic microbes but not other vital organisms.

A key claim made by some registered disinfectants involves the words “fungistat,” “bacteriostat,” and/or “mildewstat.” The “-stat” suffix stands for stasis, a property which allows the product to provide protection against the future growth of unwanted microbes. Stasis, sometimes referred to as “residual,” is particularly useful on surfaces in very moist conditions where the risk of mold growth is significant. For example, porous, water-saturated surfaces such as wall board and carpet are at risk of growing mold during the drying process. In those instances, a mildewstat can buy the restoration technician some additional time to get things dry.

As always, for maximum effectiveness and for your safety and the safety of others, use EPA registered products in accordance with label instructions.